We've already asked the big questions for the St. Louis Blues' goaltenders and defensemen as we approach the 2026-27 season, and now it's time to talk about the forwards. There are a lot of 'em, so let's waste no time and get right into it.
Can Dylan Holloway stay healthy?
This might be one of the most important questions of the season for the Blues. When he's in the lineup, Holloway is an absolute force; the problem is that he is so infrequently available, only playing 59 games last season. A healthy Holloway dramatically changes the look of the top line, and the Blues will need to squeeze everything they can out of their top players to have any hope in a top-heavy Central Division. Holloway is critical to that success.
Can Mason McTavish succeed as the second-line center?
This is probably the second biggest question of the Blues' whole season; they need McTavish to be the long-lost answer at 2C. He has a lot of the offensive tools and skills, but as a weak skater, questions about his ability to be defensively responsible while playing down the middle have become too loud to ignore. It's up to McTavish to silence the doubters.
Will Robert Thomas prove to be the right choice as captain?
Thomas is arguably already the best player on the team, and giving him the captaincy seemed earned. We'll see how having Thomas atop the leadership pyramid changes the dynamic of the team after the last captain, Brayden Schenn, was traded to the New York Islanders.
Can Connor McMichael get back on track?
In the 2024-25 season, McMichael broke out with the Washington Capitals for 26 goals and 57 points. Last season's 14 goals were a bit of a disappointment, though 46 points were nothing to scoff at. The Blues need goal scorers, and McMichael could provide that; his career shooting percentage is 11.9, which is higher than last season's 9.9 percent.
Does Pavel Buchnevich have anything left in the tank?
Buchnevich's game has been slipping over the past few years, and he's now on the wrong side of 30. He'll need to prove everyone wrong this year, even though he's unlikely to ever live up to his contract.
Will Pius Suter finish the season in St. Louis?
One of Doug Armstrong's savviest bets last summer, Suter is in the last year of the two-year contract he signed. When healthy, he's a strong support player, but the Blues should hope that one of their young players can step into that role by season's end, which would make Suter expendable.
Can Dalibor Dvorsky take over for Pius Suter by season's end?
Indeed, one such young player who could make Suter expendable is Dvorsky. The hope is that Dvorsky's ceiling is higher than that (a reliable second-line forward, ideally at center), but the 21-year-old should be able to replace Suter at some point this year.
Can Jake Neighbours get his goal scoring touch back?
After back-to-back 20-goal seasons, Neighbours's 15 goals last year were a letdown. Granted, he only played 69 games, but the Blues need goals badly. Now with an "A" on his sweater, Neighbours should get some prime opportunities in the middle six to tally a good number of goals.
Will Ross Johnston provide anything other than fights?
Johnston is one of the biggest, meanest brawlers in all of the NHL--especially now that Ryan Reaves has retired. That's about all he does, though: fight. He scored a career-high 14 points last season in under 10 minutes per night, and the Blues would surely be grateful for any amount of offense like that from their fourth line.
Does Jimmy Snuggerud break out as one of the league's next top goal scorers?
While he did finish the season with 21 goals, it seemed lower than what Snuggerud's truly capable of. A full season riding shotgun with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway--as well as a prime power-play spot--ought to boost his goal totals into the 30s. It's a contract year for Snuggerud, too, so you know he'll be motivated to show his best self to get that bag on his next deal.
Which depth forwards become lineup regulars?
The Blues have quite a number of options for their bottom six: we've already mentioned Ross Johnston, but Jonatan Berggren, Dillon Dube, and Nathan Walker are also in the mix for a spot on the fourth line (or third, if there are injuries or what have you). That doesn't even take into account a veteran like Oskar Sundqvist or prospects such as Otto Stenberg and Justin Carbonneau trying to crack the NHL lineup. The Blues have some excellent depth, and there should be quite a few battles for who makes the cut.
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