The St. Louis Blues training camp sessions are about to get underway, and the two groups were just announced. Group A looks like a pretty good representation of what opening night will look like, and the second team is the hopefuls trying to crack the roster.
Let’s go over it and answer some pretty big questions.
Group A is “the” group?
This group A has it all. Much of last season's everyday roster is here, and there are a few members that were not last season who are now. The additions of Mason McTavish, Connor McMichael, Brandon Carlo, and Ross Johnston are in this group, as well as the resigned Jonathan Berggren.
The two players who were NHL regulars last season that are not on this unit are Nathan Walker and Oskar Sundqvist, which is to be expected. They may be floating in and out of the lineup, and will either be in the press box or down in Springfield with much of Group B.
Jiricek, Proskurin, and Lindstein?
Inside Group A are some interesting names that raise some eyebrows. Theo Linstein, Adam Jiricek, and Vladimir Proskurin highlight that bunch. That is two defensemen that are fighting for the seventh spot on the blue line, and a goaltender who was just drafted a few months ago.
That defensive battle is one of several position battles that are going to be a key watch for the brief training camp, and then figured out within the preseason. The second-line center spot is another one with McMichael and McTavish.
Seeing as though when training camp got underway, McTavish was pushed to the 2C first, with McMichael and Buchnevich on his wings.
#stlblues Group A forward lines:
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) September 17, 2026
Holloway-Thomas-Snuggerud
McMichael-McTavish-Buchnevich
Neighbours-Dvorsky-Berggren
Johnston-Suter-Toropchenko
Group B hopefuls?
Nathan Walker, Oskar Sundqvist, and Jack Finley highlight the second group of hopefuls trying to make the cut. A lot of these players, like Colin Ralph and Dillon Dube, are going to be right outside of those players that have yet to make their NHL debuts.
Who knows, there could be a surprising twist or two to happen during these practice sessions. But the main thing to watch for will be on September 19, when they put it all on display for real against the Dallas Stars with their first of only four chances to make an impression.
Group A is pretty locked up tight, but there could be an arguement or two for some Group B players to get an extended look.
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