There are several reasons St. Louis Blues fans should have hope about the future of this team. They have several young players, such as Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky, who are already making an impact at the NHL level. Joel Hofer looks poised to become the next franchise goaltender. They also have several prospects who are about to graduate to the NHL and become everyday players. It appears that a youth movement is underway in St. Louis.
They will also have an opportunity to add talent to their prospect ranks with three first-round picks in the upcoming NHL draft. With this being a deep and talented group, the Blues should be able to come away with several quality players. This has caused many to feel that the Blues' retool will be quick. That they will have a young, hungry roster that will put them back into contention. However, you cannot expect anyone the Blues pick to make an impact during the 2026-27 season.
It's unfair to these prospect to expect them to contribute next season
Currently, we know that the Blues will have the 11th and 15th overall pick. We are still waiting to see where the Avalanche pick land put it will be anywhere from 28-32. While there are plenty of talented players at these slots, they are not the players who can make an impact at the NHL level right away. Those types of players can only be found within the first five picks, and most of the time, it's not even that many.
Most of the players the Blues will be looking to pick will be guys who will need at least one season before you can even consider them to be on the roster bubble. They likely will play a season or two in college or overseas before making the jump to the pro game. Even then, they likely will need a little time in Springfield to adjust to the speed and physicality of the pro game. It's likely going to be at least three seasons before any of these prospects make their NHL debut.
This does not fit the current timeline of the St. Louis Blues. We do not know what the new General Manager Alex Steen's plan is. But with the amount of talented youth on the roster, they should be able to compete within the next two seasons. Whoever the Blues draft will not be ready at that point. They should focus on younger players with NHL experience to fill these roles. Not guys who you know will take time to level up to potential.
While it's unfortunate that fans will have to wait so long to see these young players in the NHL, it's the best thing for their development. Rushing young prospects to the NHL and expecting them to help bring the team to the next level is the worst thing they can do. Not only will they be overmatched by stronger, more developed players. But there will be so much pressure on them to succeed that it will get to them and keep them from reaching their potential.
Although three first-round picks are great for the future of this franchise, it will not help the Blues in 2026-27. They will be players who will contribute, but it's going to be a few seasons, and they don't fit the Blues' current timeline.
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