The St. Louis Blues are going to have a bit of a different look in 2026-27, with Jordan Kyrou out of the picture and Mason McTavish alongside Connor McMichael stepping in. The top-six forward group is changing, and the highlight is on the second line.
Both of those newcomers will be a part of it, though it is unclear who will center it. When training camp starts in a few weeks, that will be where the battle will take place for the 2C spot behind Robert Thomas.
That leaves one more player to fill the wing. Looking at the roster, there are a couple of names that can fill in, but only Jake Neighbours makes the most sense.
That line of McMichael, McTavish, and Neighbours could be the most dominant second line that the Blues have had in a long time.
Speed, strength, and chaos
This trio brings all of those things labeled above. McMichael brings some much-needed speed, coupling with Holloway on the first line as a 1-2 punch. McTavish has been in the gym, and there is a sense that he could be a main fixture on the power play as well. Neighbours is a chaotic good player, bringing the boom with a nice skill set and offensive prowess.
For 2026-27, these three could be a really nice add-on to whatever the first line accomplishes. Head coach Jim Montgomery can roll these two lines a bunch of times during the course of the game, and opposing defenses will have trouble trying to keep up.
To highlight one player above the trio, Neighbours is really the centerpiece. He had a fantastic season in 2025-26, and his trajectory toward being this team's next captain is well underway. Another season with some career highs and knocking on the door of the 200-hit club will really help out the Blues.
Now, there is still an argument to be made about Pavel Buchnevich being in that winger spot instead of Neighbours. It is a tough call to have, but for the start of the season, it is the right one. No. 89 has to try and earn his spot, and time is running out for him to stage a monumental career comeback with this organization.
The Blues are going to be a tough and physical group in 2026-27, and this second line could be the alpha dogs that run it. Watch out for these guys from the very start of the season, should it fall this way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google