The NHL's regular season kicks off next week and, as we approach the start of 2026-27, we're asking major questions about each major player on the St. Louis Blues. Last week, we started with the goaltenders, and today we're going to break down the defensemen.
Can Philip Broberg be a true No. 1 defenseman?
There's no question that Broberg is the top defenseman on the Blues; but can he be a top defenseman in the league? Broberg's already an excellent defensive player, and we've seen some offense coming around as well--he should be the favorite to run the Blues' top power play unit, as there aren't any other obvious options elsewhere on the roster. If Broberg can crack 50 points without sacrificing his defensive impact, he should start to be recognized as a true No. 1.
Can Colton Parayko still handle a top-pair role?
The 33-year-old veteran will likely find himself on the top pair opposite Broberg. Parayko's still a strong defensive player, but the modest offensive contributions he once made seem to be absent and unlikely to return. He's averaged 22:28 of ice time for his career, and that's a lot of minutes to continue piling on a player in their 30s; the Blues need him to still excel in difficult minutes.
Will Logan Mailloux build on last season's excellent final stretch?
Mailloux put together a strong finish to the 2025-26 season, but he was nightmarishly bad before we saw that success. The development of young defensemen is often non-linear, so a step back early in the season isn't out of the question. We want to see Mailloux maintain what he was accomplishing late last year but if he struggles, we want to see him get right more quickly.
Can Cam Fowler turn back the clock?
There may not be a single veteran more critical to the Blues' success than Fowler. If he can look like the player we saw in his first half-season in St. Louis, the Blues' defense group suddenly looks much better. However, if last year's disappointing run is Fowler's new normal, the Blues have a dangerous lack of depth behind the top pair of Broberg and Parayko.
Will a reunion with Jim Montgomery fix Brandon Carlo's game?
Carlo, arguably, had the best season of his career under Montgomery when they were both with the Boston Bruins in 2022-23. That was the season the Bruins were unbeatable (until Game Seven of the first round against the Florida Panthers), and Carlo finished with a staggering plus-44 goal differential. His tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs was less inspiring, but there were many more problems with that roster and coaching staff that were bigger than Carlo. He's never been an offensive driver but, hopefully, a reunion with Montgomery can help Carlo rediscover his high-end shutdown game.
Which depth defenseman will make the roster?
The Blues have a couple of options when it comes to the sixth spot on defense: Theo Lindstein showed well in his call-up last season, and Adam Jiricek has an outside shot as a rookie. If the coaching staff prefers a stronger veteran presence, maybe they go with Tyler Tucker. There's a world where all three make the team, and Montgomery sets up a rotation on the third pair, but the most important thing for development is playing time. Tucker is what he is, so he can sit for stretches to get the young players games; Jiricek, however, may be better suited to heavy usage in the AHL while Lindstein transitions to the big leagues. Of the three, Jiricek is most likely to end up with the Springfield Thunderbirds--but a strong camp could make it hard to deny him making the roster.
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