When Matt Kessel signed his two-year extension earlier this week, it all but confirmed he would be in the opening-day lineup come October 2024. Kessel, however, isn’t the only player who should see a full-time role with the big club next season, as there are a few St. Louis is giving a trial as the season winds down.
The Blues technically remain in the NHL playoff race, but there is also a good chance they will see an ‘e’ next to their name sooner than later. After 66 games, they are still six points out of the final wild card spot. And thanks to the Minnesota Wild - currently not in the wild card - looking like one of the Western Conference’s best teams and the Vegas Golden Knights playing better hockey, it will be tough for St. Louis to land that last wild card spot.
This would give those who have yet to play a full season at the NHL level time to gain experience. They will also do all they can to prove they’re ready to handle the full 82-game schedule for next season.
St. Louis Blues could find future full-time NHLers as the season winds down
There are no guarantees the players listed in the following slides will see an 82-game slate next season. Two are still on two-way, entry-level contracts, while the third made the big club earlier this season, but has appeared in just 18 games this year and was not a regular member of the lineup.
Which youngsters could work their way into a full-time role with the Blues next season, and where do they currently stand? One is a recent call-up who may have already made his NHL debut by the time you read this. The other has played in just a handful of NHL games, and the third, we discussed earlier and will dive into deeper detail regarding them in the final slide.