While the 2025-26 season was not one Blues fans will remember, they finished on a strong note. Before their final game of the season, they looked good over the last two months, with a record of 16-4-3. This was the best record in the NHL during that sample size. It was an impressive feat for a team that had looked dead in the water. It was a sign that there were some good pieces on the roster and players to build around.
Things only got better in their final game against the Utah Mammoth. The first two periods were even as both the Blues and Mammoth were able to find the back of the net three times. However, momentum swung in the Blues' favor in the third period, and they capitalized on it. Logan Thomas got the go-ahead goal, and Robert Thomas added insurance with his third of the game. It was an exclamation point of a tough season. But does this strong end change the Blues' offseason plans?
The Blues can not let a hot stretch change their offseason plans
While the months of March and April were impressive for the Blues, it does not make up for how they played before. From October to February, the Blues were 21-29-9. It was one of the league's worst marks. Not only that, but some of the veterans on the roster were playing below expectations. This caused them to be sellers at the deadline. This team had many flaws, and one hot streak does not make up for them.
Being sellers could have played a role in the team's performance. With the team giving up and focusing on next season, there is much less pressure. There is no urgency to win every game to keep pace with other contenders, and fans are not bashing the team after every loss. This creates a much more relaxed environment. Allowed players to play their styles and not have to worry about the results. This type of mindset can make teams perform better than they actually are.
While they can not use this hot stretch as a reason to try to contend next season, they can use it as a reason to re-tool and not rebuild. Guys like Robert Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dylan Holloway were all main drivers on offense. Joel Hofer also put in some of his best performances in net. With all of these players being under the age of 28 heading into next season, they can become the team's next core.
The focus of this offseason should be on getting young complementary pieces to surround them. They also need to shed some of the aging pieces on the roster. Guys like Jordan Binnington and Pavel Buchnevich are showing signs of regression. If the Blues can find some young talent to replace them, they should be able to compete again within the next couple of years. It's not ideal, but it's much less painful than a rebuild would be.
Although the Blues finished the season strong, it's not enough for them to try to compete again. The smart move is to stay the course and build around the young core they have assembled.
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