After seven games in the 2025-26 season, the St. Louis Blues have not had the best start to the year. It has been more bad than good, and it might even be time to hit that panic button.
In their most recent 7-4 loss to Utah, there were a couple of players and moments in the game that proved to Blues fans that it might. It's time to start freaking out. It is still early in the season, but the writing is on the wall that this could become a trend for the rest of the season.
Let's talk about it.
Why panic?
The Blues have done a complete 180-degree turn from the end of last season. Whatever momentum they gained from that record-breaking performance and unexpected playoff appearance was left behind in May. Right now, in October, it is a completely different result with relatively the same team.
There are a number of players underperforming, and frankly, nobody is taking accountability for those failures. The vibe in the locker room is leaning toward the idea that eventually the pieces will start to fall in the Blues favor, but who knows who, what, and when that will be.
With that much uncertainity, hit that panic button right now.
Binnington cannot play in almost every game
The number one issue facing the Blues right now is their goaltending dilemma. Backup Joel Hofer has been egregiously bad to start the year, allowing 10 goals in two starts with a .789 save percentage. After defeating the Calgary Flames, 4-2, back on October 11, his last two starts resulted in his being pulled, and Jordan Binnington had to see some time during the game.
With that said, Binnington has been featured in almost every single game so far this season.
If the Blues want to have any chance of being a competitive NHL team, they have to establish that 1-2 punch that they had last season. They were considered the best-kept secret in the Western Conference, and both goaltenders were perfect down the stretch to get this team into the playoffs.
Now, still in October, the Blues are struggling to stay in hockey games, and the morale is at an all-time low. Panic has set in for St. Louis, and this team needs a hard reset right now.