With the Stanley Cup Playoffs within reach, the St. Louis Blues are starting to prepare for just about everything and anything. If they make it, they are going to pull off one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory, even upstaging last season’s miraculous run. If they do not make it, they are starting to assemble the key pieces needed for this organization's future.
Yesterday, prior to the 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong made a promising move by signing defenseman Colin Ralph to a two-year entry-level deal. He will report to Springfield immediately, as his NCAA season at Michigan State is over.
Ralph brings a lot of positives to this blueline, which is getting closer and closer to completion. Logan Mailloux is starting to prove he has what it takes, and the continued evolution of Philip Broberg is going to be crucial for the Blues' future.
Where does Ralph fit in the long term?
Big left-handed shot
Ralph is a big body at 6-foot-4. He is tough, rough, and fits the Blues blueprint perfectly. There is little more to say than that the Blues are going to really benefit from having this kid in front of the net.
He is a left-handed shot, which complicates pairings. He could be a nice fit with Mailloux as a solid second-line pairing. Pairing him up with Broberg could get messy with D-to-D passes.
In 37 games with the Spartans this season, he had a goal and 10 assists, and finished with a staggering +/- of 20. He can be a quick positive for this core group, but the Blues front office should be wary about rushing him. A midseason call-up can be possible in 2026-27, and it will be interesting to see if he gets an appearance before this season is over. It really matters if the Blues are still in contention for a playoff spot over the next two weeks.