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Which Central Division rival should Blues fans fear most in 2026-27?

ByJustin Bonhard|
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Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg (6) controls the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The NHL is getting stronger and stronger with each offseason, and every division stakes a claim as the toughest one to play in. The St. Louis Blues, who are a part of the Central Division of the Western Conference, may have a legitimate claim. 

The Blues are going to be a better team next season, at least as it looks now on paper, and the gap from top to bottom of this division is not going to be as vast. A chance at a playoff berth seems a little more realistic this season, but when you throw in the youth aspect of it, the sure bet is that they will miss it. 

So, which opponent should they fear the most from the Central? Let’s talk about it. 

The big three?

There is a big three in the Central Division that really could be expanded to a fourth or fifth team as well. Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota are the teams to beat, and each contains a plethora of superstar talent and elite coaching staffs. Those organizations are top-notch, and signs of them slowing down to allow a team like the Blues to creep up the standings are non-existent.

The 2026-27 season features St. Louis facing off against a couple of these teams in the first week.

Utah and Nashville are two teams that could be pushed into that echelon above the Blues, with Utah having a more definitive claim. Their rebrand might have been the best thing that they could have ever done, and Mammoth fans should enjoy the spoils of their new team. Nashville is still a little weak across the board, but one or two more moves and they are right there with that Steven Stamkos and Filip Forsberg-led offense.

The Blues, Chicago, and Winnipeg still remain on the outside looking in, basically in that order. If things go smoothly with the new pieces coming in, like Mason McTavish, Connor McMichael, and Brandon Carlo, there is no reason why the Blues could be a sneaky team in the Western Conference playoff race. It all depends on the youth movement and their acclimation to the best hockey league in the world.

The Blues don't have just one rival to fear, but a number of them. This division is one of the best in all of hockey, and it keeps getting better every offseason.

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