The big move will be next season. 2025 and 2026 rosters and salary

[clemonsonroots]

2025-2026
LW C RW
Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbors Bjustad Texier
Toropchenko Sunqvist Walker
EX- Joseph Dvorsky Luff Pekarcic Stancl Stenberg
D D
Fowler Parayko
Broberg Faulk
Tucker Milleaux
EX- Leddy Kessell Schuenmann
G
Binnington
Hoefer
Cap Space- 7.2 (after Krug IR)
2026-2027
Assuming extensions for the following players and estimated amount:
Fowler 3 yrs 5mil per
Broberg 7 yrs 7.5 mil per
Holloway 7 yrs 7.5 mil per
Toropchenko 3 yrs 2 mil per
Walker 1yr 1mil per
LW C RW
Neighbors FREE AGENT Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Toropchenko
Stenberg Dvorsky Pekarcik/Stancl/Carbonneau
EX-Walker Bjustad

D D
Fowler Parayko
Broberg Milleaux
Tucker Faulk

We have with that setup- 20 million in cap space next offseason with one need- a top teir Center and Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid are free agents as of now. If they don't make it to free agency, you could pivot to signing a winger like Kaprizov and trading for a center from your wing and prospect depth. I would bet money that Armstrong makes sure Thomas is on Team Canada with Binny and Parayko. The key will be convincing one of those guys that with them, this is the best team in hockey with long term upside. I believe it is. The other move you could look for is Faulk being dealt and bringing in a top 4 lefty defenseman. They have kept next year's money very available for a reason. I believe Armstrong knows that this team's window opens in 2026-2027 and it could be a very longterm window.

[clemonsonroots]

wow, nothing...wtf

[TheHighHat]

We won't be signing a top 2 center next summer or even a winger of Kaprizov's caliber.
Next year at this time it will be blatantly obvious that it is time to move Schenn to wing.

I don't recall a prospect in recent Blues history that is as important as Dvorsky.
He must be our future 2C at minimum. If he is a bust or not a 2C, the team and franchise will suffer for awhile.
Even if Dvorsky breaks thru this year, the Blues still need to draft a center in the 1st round next year even if it means moving up.

Hopefully they re-sign Fowler to only a 2 year deal.
The Blues still need to find another RHD to replace Faulk after 27.


26-27
Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Holloway-Dvorsky-Kyrou
Schenn-Unknown-Neighbours
Unknown-Bjugstad-Unknown

2 of the 3 unknowns will be signed via UFA.
2 or 3 of our forward prospects will start to be broken in little by little.


Broberg-Parayko
Fowler-Mailloux
Tucker-Faulk
Lindstein is getting a taste in 26-27

[zamadoo]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

[clemonsonroots]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

You are wrong on your math. Right now, taking the Krug money 6.5- we have 39.5 mil after the suter signing. Neighbors Snuggy and Binny/ Hofer do not need extensions next season. Cap will still be going up some when they do and you can move guys and bring young guys up when those seasons come plus you will have Schenn Suter and a goalie moving on by then.
Extensions needed:
Toropchenko - 2 mil
Walker- league min
Broberg- 6.5 mil
Holloway- 7 mil
Mailloux- 3 mil
Fowler- 4 mil
Total- 23.5 mil leaving us with 16 million in cap space. Now, even if you think some of those guys get more...I would argue that if you extend this offseason that they won't, and you need 2-5 million more to sign them, you could move on from Faulk and either trade him or waive like we are doing with Leddy. This doesn't leave us thin on D. You have a solid top 4 in Broberg, Parayko, Mailloux and Fowler. Tucker and Kessel as your last pairing and you have lindstien and Fischer probably ready to crack into the lineup with Jiricek not far behind.

Lineup with Faulk gone:

Neighbors McDavid Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Dvorsky
Toropchenko Suter Bjustad
Walker
with Carbonneau Stenberg Kamiski, Stencl, Pekarcik all knocking on the door
Parayko Fowler
Mailloux Broberg
Tucker Kessel
Lindstien
With Fischer and Jiricek knocking on the door
Binnington
Hofer
Ellis and the swede kid as prospects

We absolutely have the capspace to make a big signing. I believe this was done so by design. Now, the key will be getting one of the big three free agents to that point and not re-signing. They may re-sign. If one does not, we will be in the mix and the key for at least mcdavid is just the chance to win cups. He will be on team canada with several of our players and our team president. I believe if you look at that roster, how could he not be convinced that this team is the best in the league.

[zamadoo]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

You are wrong on your math. Right now, taking the Krug money 6.5- we have 39.5 mil after the suter signing. Neighbors Snuggy and Binny/ Hofer do not need extensions next season. Cap will still be going up some when they do and you can move guys and bring young guys up when those seasons come plus you will have Schenn Suter and a goalie moving on by then.
Extensions needed:
Toropchenko - 2 mil
Walker- league min
Broberg- 6.5 mil
Holloway- 7 mil
Mailloux- 3 mil
Fowler- 4 mil
Total- 23.5 mil leaving us with 16 million in cap space. Now, even if you think some of those guys get more...I would argue that if you extend this offseason that they won't, and you need 2-5 million more to sign them, you could move on from Faulk and either trade him or waive like we are doing with Leddy. This doesn't leave us thin on D. You have a solid top 4 in Broberg, Parayko, Mailloux and Fowler. Tucker and Kessel as your last pairing and you have lindstien and Fischer probably ready to crack into the lineup with Jiricek not far behind.

Lineup with Faulk gone:

Neighbors McDavid Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Dvorsky
Toropchenko Suter Bjustad
Walker
with Carbonneau Stenberg Kamiski, Stencl, Pekarcik all knocking on the door
Parayko Fowler
Mailloux Broberg
Tucker Kessel
Lindstien
With Fischer and Jiricek knocking on the door
Binnington
Hofer
Ellis and the swede kid as prospects

We absolutely have the capspace to make a big signing. I believe this was done so by design. Now, the key will be getting one of the big three free agents to that point and not re-signing. They may re-sign. If one does not, we will be in the mix and the key for at least mcdavid is just the chance to win cups. He will be on team canada with several of our players and our team president. I believe if you look at that roster, how could he not be convinced that this team is the best in the league.

I didn't do any math. I went to puckpedia and did GM mode. So either your math is wrong or puckpedia's math is wrong.

Here is the roster before cutting Faulk. ~$5M in cap space. Say cutting him gets you to $10k in cap space.
https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/797678

I forgot to extend Toro and Kessel in that roster, but that doesn't change much.

If we can get good deals on Broberg, Fowler, and Holloway, then maybe we have enough to squeeze in McDavid who would also have to generously sign here.

Otherwise we need to move out one or two of Schenn/Suter/Fowler/Binner.

I would agree that after the 26-27 season, if the cap rises to $113M, then it could work out (even with Snuggerudd, Neighbours, etc. needing raises).

[BluesDom]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

You are wrong on your math. Right now, taking the Krug money 6.5- we have 39.5 mil after the suter signing. Neighbors Snuggy and Binny/ Hofer do not need extensions next season. Cap will still be going up some when they do and you can move guys and bring young guys up when those seasons come plus you will have Schenn Suter and a goalie moving on by then.
Extensions needed:
Toropchenko - 2 mil
Walker- league min
Broberg- 6.5 mil
Holloway- 7 mil
Mailloux- 3 mil
Fowler- 4 mil
Total- 23.5 mil leaving us with 16 million in cap space. Now, even if you think some of those guys get more...I would argue that if you extend this offseason that they won't, and you need 2-5 million more to sign them, you could move on from Faulk and either trade him or waive like we are doing with Leddy. This doesn't leave us thin on D. You have a solid top 4 in Broberg, Parayko, Mailloux and Fowler. Tucker and Kessel as your last pairing and you have lindstien and Fischer probably ready to crack into the lineup with Jiricek not far behind.

Lineup with Faulk gone:

Neighbors McDavid Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Dvorsky
Toropchenko Suter Bjustad
Walker
with Carbonneau Stenberg Kamiski, Stencl, Pekarcik all knocking on the door
Parayko Fowler
Mailloux Broberg
Tucker Kessel
Lindstien
With Fischer and Jiricek knocking on the door
Binnington
Hofer
Ellis and the swede kid as prospects

We absolutely have the capspace to make a big signing. I believe this was done so by design. Now, the key will be getting one of the big three free agents to that point and not re-signing. They may re-sign. If one does not, we will be in the mix and the key for at least mcdavid is just the chance to win cups. He will be on team canada with several of our players and our team president. I believe if you look at that roster, how could he not be convinced that this team is the best in the league.

Prospects are in the system now. No more reason to make a big splash. We will build from within when possible. So no McDavid. Never.

[clemonsonroots]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

You are wrong on your math. Right now, taking the Krug money 6.5- we have 39.5 mil after the suter signing. Neighbors Snuggy and Binny/ Hofer do not need extensions next season. Cap will still be going up some when they do and you can move guys and bring young guys up when those seasons come plus you will have Schenn Suter and a goalie moving on by then.
Extensions needed:
Toropchenko - 2 mil
Walker- league min
Broberg- 6.5 mil
Holloway- 7 mil
Mailloux- 3 mil
Fowler- 4 mil
Total- 23.5 mil leaving us with 16 million in cap space. Now, even if you think some of those guys get more...I would argue that if you extend this offseason that they won't, and you need 2-5 million more to sign them, you could move on from Faulk and either trade him or waive like we are doing with Leddy. This doesn't leave us thin on D. You have a solid top 4 in Broberg, Parayko, Mailloux and Fowler. Tucker and Kessel as your last pairing and you have lindstien and Fischer probably ready to crack into the lineup with Jiricek not far behind.

Lineup with Faulk gone:

Neighbors McDavid Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Dvorsky
Toropchenko Suter Bjustad
Walker
with Carbonneau Stenberg Kamiski, Stencl, Pekarcik all knocking on the door
Parayko Fowler
Mailloux Broberg
Tucker Kessel
Lindstien
With Fischer and Jiricek knocking on the door
Binnington
Hofer
Ellis and the swede kid as prospects

We absolutely have the capspace to make a big signing. I believe this was done so by design. Now, the key will be getting one of the big three free agents to that point and not re-signing. They may re-sign. If one does not, we will be in the mix and the key for at least mcdavid is just the chance to win cups. He will be on team canada with several of our players and our team president. I believe if you look at that roster, how could he not be convinced that this team is the best in the league.

I didn't do any math. I went to puckpedia and did GM mode. So either your math is wrong or puckpedia's math is wrong.

Here is the roster before cutting Faulk. ~$5M in cap space. Say cutting him gets you to $10k in cap space.
https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/797678

I forgot to extend Toro and Kessel in that roster, but that doesn't change much.

If we can get good deals on Broberg, Fowler, and Holloway, then maybe we have enough to squeeze in McDavid who would also have to generously sign here.

Otherwise we need to move out one or two of Schenn/Suter/Fowler/Binner.

I would agree that after the 26-27 season, if the cap rises to $113M, then it could work out (even with Snuggerudd, Neighbours, etc. needing raises).

I used puckpedia...your math is wrong. we have 32.85 million right now plus the 6.5 mil from leddy.

[clemonsonroots]

Army said in his interview that this is not the year to put all your chips in the middle of the table (go all in).

With the setup you've provided, we have more like $4-7M in cap space (including Krug on LTIR), not $20M. Mailloux will also need to be signed.

There are only 3 UFA centers that might be in range: McDavid, Eichel, and Necas

I have a hard time seeing any of those three being available, much less signing here, but for experimentation and entertainment, let's say we were able to sign McDavid to a $14-15M AAV deal. We would need to move out two of Faulk, Fowler, and Schenn.

I'm not seeing it. More likely Dvorsky steps up and maybe Dean as well. We need Mailloux to prove he can supplant Faulk, OR next offseason we target a defenseman for the top-4.

FWIW, I think it'd be real sweet to see a line of Holloway-McDavid-Kyrou. I just think even if it were a possibility (with Army and friends pumping up our team with Team Canada), we'd be gutting our D and depth. Guys on re-ups like Neighbours, Snuggerudd, Binner/Hofer get complicated...

You are wrong on your math. Right now, taking the Krug money 6.5- we have 39.5 mil after the suter signing. Neighbors Snuggy and Binny/ Hofer do not need extensions next season. Cap will still be going up some when they do and you can move guys and bring young guys up when those seasons come plus you will have Schenn Suter and a goalie moving on by then.
Extensions needed:
Toropchenko - 2 mil
Walker- league min
Broberg- 6.5 mil
Holloway- 7 mil
Mailloux- 3 mil
Fowler- 4 mil
Total- 23.5 mil leaving us with 16 million in cap space. Now, even if you think some of those guys get more...I would argue that if you extend this offseason that they won't, and you need 2-5 million more to sign them, you could move on from Faulk and either trade him or waive like we are doing with Leddy. This doesn't leave us thin on D. You have a solid top 4 in Broberg, Parayko, Mailloux and Fowler. Tucker and Kessel as your last pairing and you have lindstien and Fischer probably ready to crack into the lineup with Jiricek not far behind.

Lineup with Faulk gone:

Neighbors McDavid Snuggerud
Holloway Thomas Kyrou
Buchnevich Schenn Dvorsky
Toropchenko Suter Bjustad
Walker
with Carbonneau Stenberg Kamiski, Stencl, Pekarcik all knocking on the door
Parayko Fowler
Mailloux Broberg
Tucker Kessel
Lindstien
With Fischer and Jiricek knocking on the door
Binnington
Hofer
Ellis and the swede kid as prospects

We absolutely have the capspace to make a big signing. I believe this was done so by design. Now, the key will be getting one of the big three free agents to that point and not re-signing. They may re-sign. If one does not, we will be in the mix and the key for at least mcdavid is just the chance to win cups. He will be on team canada with several of our players and our team president. I believe if you look at that roster, how could he not be convinced that this team is the best in the league.

I didn't do any math. I went to puckpedia and did GM mode. So either your math is wrong or puckpedia's math is wrong.

Here is the roster before cutting Faulk. ~$5M in cap space. Say cutting him gets you to $10k in cap space.
https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/797678

I forgot to extend Toro and Kessel in that roster, but that doesn't change much.

If we can get good deals on Broberg, Fowler, and Holloway, then maybe we have enough to squeeze in McDavid who would also have to generously sign here.

Otherwise we need to move out one or two of Schenn/Suter/Fowler/Binner.

I would agree that after the 26-27 season, if the cap rises to $113M, then it could work out (even with Snuggerudd, Neighbours, etc. needing raises).

I used puckpedia...your math is wrong. we have 32.85 million right now plus the 6.5 mil from leddy.

you also put fowler on there 2X and did not count the krug 6.5 not leddy that was a mistype. so 5 mil in cap space plus the 4 mil you mistakenly put for fowler 2X is 9 million. then you also have the krug money
That is 15.5 million. Also, Carboneau will be signed but not on the roster- another 900k. And Peterson likely not signed to the team. another 900k

[clemonsonroots]

This is puckpedia done correctly for next season...it leaves us with 5 mil in capspace plus the 6.5 mil from krug- so 11.5 million in capspace for one spot on the roster. So, we can go out and get someone at that amount- still a star player or trade/waive Faulk and promote from within with kessel, lindstein jiricek burns and fischer battling it out for 3rd pairing. We absolutely will be signing a stud.

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/manage/802395

and with trading Faulk and signing mcdavid

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/manage/802395

[skilles]

I think the Blues are probably looking for a top 6 center or RW right now.

[clemonsonroots]

I think the Blues are probably looking for a top 6 center or RW right now.

no, they are set for this year. They have their sites set on opening the window next year. Armstrong even said, this year their goal is to finish 6th to 10th in the western conference this season. They have designed the salary structure for a big move next season unless something falls in their lap.

[zamadoo]

This is puckpedia done correctly for next season...it leaves us with 5 mil in capspace plus the 6.5 mil from krug- so 11.5 million in capspace for one spot on the roster. So, we can go out and get someone at that amount- still a star player or trade/waive Faulk and promote from within with kessel, lindstein jiricek burns and fischer battling it out for 3rd pairing. We absolutely will be signing a stud.

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/manage/802395

This link says "unable to find roster" - you probably need to publish.

Here is a correct roster that is published, with Faulk traded away: https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/802440

So yeah, roughly $8-9M in cap space, and then after the season starts we can go over by Krug's $6.5M.

There are 3 top centers that are projected to be UFAs next offseason: McCavid, Eichel, Necas.

McD will be $14M+ and possibly extended in EDM
Eichel will be $12M+ and possibly extended in Vegas
Necas I'm not so sure of, somewhere $8M+ and probably closer to 10 (depending on his season), and will likely be extended in COL

I'm saying it's possible but extremely unlikely.

[clemonsonroots]

This is puckpedia done correctly for next season...it leaves us with 5 mil in capspace plus the 6.5 mil from krug- so 11.5 million in capspace for one spot on the roster. So, we can go out and get someone at that amount- still a star player or trade/waive Faulk and promote from within with kessel, lindstein jiricek burns and fischer battling it out for 3rd pairing. We absolutely will be signing a stud.

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/manage/802395

This link says "unable to find roster" - you probably need to publish.

Here is a correct roster that is published, with Faulk traded away: https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/802440

So yeah, roughly $8-9M in cap space, and then after the season starts we can go over by Krug's $6.5M.

There are 3 top centers that are projected to be UFAs next offseason: McCavid, Eichel, Necas.

McD will be $14M+ and possibly extended in EDM
Eichel will be $12M+ and possibly extended in Vegas
Necas I'm not so sure of, somewhere $8M+ and probably closer to 10 (depending on his season), and will likely be extended in COL

I'm saying it's possible but extremely unlikely.

I hit publish...the numbers are correct. and even if mcdavid doesn't make it to market, a big name will and we will be there with the cap space to bring in. I think McDavid will make it to market...they haven't done [shirt]. Still running skinner back out there.

[zamadoo]

This is puckpedia done correctly for next season...it leaves us with 5 mil in capspace plus the 6.5 mil from krug- so 11.5 million in capspace for one spot on the roster. So, we can go out and get someone at that amount- still a star player or trade/waive Faulk and promote from within with kessel, lindstein jiricek burns and fischer battling it out for 3rd pairing. We absolutely will be signing a stud.

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/manage/802395

This link says "unable to find roster" - you probably need to publish.

Here is a correct roster that is published, with Faulk traded away: https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/802440

So yeah, roughly $8-9M in cap space, and then after the season starts we can go over by Krug's $6.5M.

There are 3 top centers that are projected to be UFAs next offseason: McCavid, Eichel, Necas.

McD will be $14M+ and possibly extended in EDM
Eichel will be $12M+ and possibly extended in Vegas
Necas I'm not so sure of, somewhere $8M+ and probably closer to 10 (depending on his season), and will likely be extended in COL

I'm saying it's possible but extremely unlikely.

I hit publish...the numbers are correct. and even if mcdavid doesn't make it to market, a big name will and we will be there with the cap space to bring in. I think McDavid will make it to market...they haven't done [shirt]. Still running skinner back out there.

Well whatever you did, your roster isn't loading.

I've listed the big name (good) centers that will be UFAs next offseason. Kaprizov and Connor are wingers that I'd love to sign. Maybe Kempe. Not really seeing anyone else other than a few RFAs. Maybe a trade?

[clemonsonroots]

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/802711


that should work.