The 2025-26 season will always be a special one for Tyler Tucker. After years of bouncing back and forth between the AHL and NHL, this past season finally saw him get regular NHL playing time. Despite being seen as the seventh defenseman entering the year, he wound up appearing in 67 games. The Blues plugged him into many different spots, playing with many different defensemen. It was a big step in his development. But how does he keep his role in the top six heading into next season?
What Tyler Tucker needs to do to be a regular in the lineup
In the 67 games Tucker appeared in, he found modest success. He logged three goals and 14 assists for 17 points. He also delivered 100 hits, blocked 51 shots, and forced 13 takeaways. Not bad when he only averaged 14:22 minutes of ice time per game. His advanced metrics were pretty good as well. According to Natural Stat Trick, he had a 50.82 CF%, a 52.70 SCF%, and a 51.34 xG%. He also only allowed 163 high-danger scoring chances.
The main way that Tucker can get into the lineup is if the Blues want more physicality. While his metrics show he was a positive on offense, his main contribution on the ice is through physical play. Someone who can deliver a big hit and disrupt an opposing offense's flow. It will also be a good deterrent for other pest-type players in the league. He can be the guy the Blues turn to when they need to send a message or stand up for the team.
Tucker also needs to play with the same level of confidence he did last season. One of the biggest reasons for Tucker's strong showing last season was that he felt confident in his game. He even said this season was the most comfortable he had felt in the NHL so far. If he can have that same mindset next season, he should be able to have a similar season. He may even be able to improve and have a better stat line.
But he definitely has his work cut out for him. With the Blues bringing in Brandon Carlo during the offseason, the Blues' top six seems pretty much set. This means he will most likely be competing for the seventh defenseman role. But if he can play that hard-nosed style he did during training camp and in the games he suits up for, it will help him build trust with the coaching staff. They will start to see him as a solid defenseman and look to give him more playing time.
Although he's on the outside looking in, Tucker has a shot to lock down a permanent role in 2026-27. He just needs to show the physicality and confidence he showed last season were not a fluke.
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