TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
I get what you are saying, but wouldn't that be considered a paper transaction and violate the new paper transaction rules? From that standpoint, Texier is likely waived, they submit the 23-man roster with Krug, then after that, they put Krug on IR (or LTIR) then sign Lucic.
Edit:
The rule I am referring to for anyone who isn't familiar with it:
The NHL CBA eliminates "paper transactions," a loophole that allowed teams to send waiver-exempt players to the AHL to accrue cap space and then quickly recall them for games
. Under the new rule, if a player is sent down to the minor league, they must play in at least one AHL game before the NHL team can recall them, with a limited exception for goalies. This change took effect for the 2025-26 season and was ratified in a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the NHL and NHLPA, according to reports from PuckPedia and other outlets.
Hmm interesting, I hadn't heard about that change. I'm glad they have addressed that problem and I hope they go further.
A guy like Texier should absolutely have the opportunity to play on an NHL team if we are not going to use him on ours.
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
Lucic isn’t going to impress anyone in preseason games. No preseason game is played to his style…i.e., heavy/physical.
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
You are more knowledgeable on it than me, but I thought since Krug is already on “regular IR”, that means that our official roster that we will submit next week will actually have 24 players, since you’re allowed a roster spot when someone is on IR. Then after the season starts, if we need the cap space (currently have $625k with 24 players), we can move him to LTIR. In the meantime, if we don’t need the space, he can stay on IR and we continue to accrue cap space since we aren’t using LTIR. Again, this is just my understanding, but could be wrong.
I'm not sure what people expect out of Lucic, but in tight areas and along the walls he's been fine. Shields the puck and generally moves it to the right areas. Had a nice play in the first preseason game setting up a goal - pulled it off the wall and then tied up the player who would've checked the shooter. Noting that someone mentioned him grimacing with a groin strain in practice, I could see why he would appear even slower than we might already expect.
They mentioned on the broadcast (when actually discussing hockey) that Joseph was able to play the way he was - flying around and putting on a big hit - because Lucic is out there on his line. I don't know how true that actually is, but it's not the first time I've heard it, and I'm getting the notion that they've been tipped that Lucic is here for a reason.
Dvo vs Stenberg isn't even a conversation. Stenberg has been superb, what hands he has...on the Wing. Dvo, also very good, at Center. I've been thinking Dvo is like a combo of ROR and Tank. Man, what a shot he has, and a total game to go with it. Those two together will be a potent and reliable combo for years to come.
Kaskimaki is pretty much ready. I like his game. Not too fancy, just getting the job done and being smart on the ice. Wouldn't be unhappy to see all three of them starting in Springfield and playing on a line together, building more chemistry and learning/growing together.
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
You are more knowledgeable on it than me, but I thought since Krug is already on “regular IR”, that means that our official roster that we will submit next week will actually have 24 players, since you’re allowed a roster spot when someone is on IR. Then after the season starts, if we need the cap space (currently have $625k with 24 players), we can move him to LTIR. In the meantime, if we don’t need the space, he can stay on IR and we continue to accrue cap space since we aren’t using LTIR. Again, this is just my understanding, but could be wrong.
My understanding is a player can’t be on IR currently. It’s an in-season thing. So he can’t be on “regular” IR yet.
I don’t pay as much attention to the cap stuff as I used to though and they’ve made some tweaks so it’s possible I’m off on a few things.
zamadoo wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 16:24 pm
I'm not sure what people expect out of Lucic, but in tight areas and along the walls he's been fine. Shields the puck and generally moves it to the right areas. Had a nice play in the first preseason game setting up a goal - pulled it off the wall and then tied up the player who would've checked the shooter. Noting that someone mentioned him grimacing with a groin strain in practice, I could see why he would appear even slower than we might already expect.
They mentioned on the broadcast (when actually discussing hockey) that Joseph was able to play the way he was - flying around and putting on a big hit - because Lucic is out there on his line. I don't know how true that actually is, but it's not the first time I've heard it, and I'm getting the notion that they've been tipped that Lucic is here for a reason.
Dvo vs Stenberg isn't even a conversation. Stenberg has been superb, what hands he has...on the Wing. Dvo, also very good, at Center. I've been thinking Dvo is like a combo of ROR and Tank. Man, what a shot he has, and a total game to go with it. Those two together will be a potent and reliable combo for years to come.
Kaskimaki is pretty much ready. I like his game. Not too fancy, just getting the job done and being smart on the ice. Wouldn't be unhappy to see all three of them starting in Springfield and playing on a line together, building more chemistry and learning/growing together.
Lucic laid a crunching hit on someone in the corner last night - I grimaced when I saw it. Usually 3 or 4 guys rush in on the Blues to defend their teammate.
Nobody - nobody - came to the defense of their teammate! Don't need a high IQ to figure this one out!
LGB!
I'm curious what others think about Dvorsky's skating.
Can we discuss 3 "skating speeds"?
1. Skating speed when all the focus is on skating.
2. Skating speed with the puck
3. Skating speed when generating offense
I've not seen nearly enough of him to say anything confidently. My sense is that DVO is slow-average on 1, and slow-average on 2, and exceptionally slow on 3. I think that 3 is the real problem. He is not able to generate offense at NHL speed.
How would others grade him at this point? How would you grade him when we first drafted him? Is he making progress?
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
I get what you are saying, but wouldn't that be considered a paper transaction and violate the new paper transaction rules? From that standpoint, Texier is likely waived, they submit the 23-man roster with Krug, then after that, they put Krug on IR (or LTIR) then sign Lucic.
Edit:
The rule I am referring to for anyone who isn't familiar with it:
The NHL CBA eliminates "paper transactions," a loophole that allowed teams to send waiver-exempt players to the AHL to accrue cap space and then quickly recall them for games
. Under the new rule, if a player is sent down to the minor league, they must play in at least one AHL game before the NHL team can recall them, with a limited exception for goalies. This change took effect for the 2025-26 season and was ratified in a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the NHL and NHLPA, according to reports from PuckPedia and other outlets.
There is talk that the opening night roster is going to be exempt from the new paper transaction rule, although how there hasnt been any guidance at this point is a surprise.
You are correct. PuckPedia just posted the following on Twitter:
Breaking
PuckPedia reports that the NHL recently provided teams with a clarification on the new no "Paper Loans" rule that requires a player sent down to play 1 AHL before being recalled.
The news is that the rule is not in effect until Oct 10.
This means teams can send players down for opening rosters & then call them up prior to Oct 10 even if they have not yet played an AHL game.
The biggest impact is for teams that want to set their LTIR pool by being under the cap. They can now send players down, submit a roster, add a player to LTIR, and then immediately call the players up.
Read more here:
puckpedia.com/LTIR25
Thus, the paper transactions I was talking about to finagle the 23-man roster for Cap purposes to start the season are still possible.
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
I get what you are saying, but wouldn't that be considered a paper transaction and violate the new paper transaction rules? From that standpoint, Texier is likely waived, they submit the 23-man roster with Krug, then after that, they put Krug on IR (or LTIR) then sign Lucic.
Edit:
The rule I am referring to for anyone who isn't familiar with it:
The NHL CBA eliminates "paper transactions," a loophole that allowed teams to send waiver-exempt players to the AHL to accrue cap space and then quickly recall them for games
. Under the new rule, if a player is sent down to the minor league, they must play in at least one AHL game before the NHL team can recall them, with a limited exception for goalies. This change took effect for the 2025-26 season and was ratified in a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the NHL and NHLPA, according to reports from PuckPedia and other outlets.
There is talk that the opening night roster is going to be exempt from the new paper transaction rule, although how there hasnt been any guidance at this point is a surprise.
You are correct. PuckPedia just posted the following on Twitter:
Breaking
PuckPedia reports that the NHL recently provided teams with a clarification on the new no "Paper Loans" rule that requires a player sent down to play 1 AHL before being recalled.
The news is that the rule is not in effect until Oct 10.
This means teams can send players down for opening rosters & then call them up prior to Oct 10 even if they have not yet played an AHL game.
The biggest impact is for teams that want to set their LTIR pool by being under the cap. They can now send players down, submit a roster, add a player to LTIR, and then immediately call the players up.
Read more here:
puckpedia.com/LTIR25
Thus, the paper transactions I was talking about to finagle the 23-man roster for Cap purposes to start the season are still possible.
Im looking forward to the posts both here and on facebook when the roster gets announced and none of the rookies are there but krug is ....
Does anyone see Joseph as a high-end 4th liner? I love his energy and physicality but the lack of offensive skill leaves me wanting more on the 3rd line. I’d like to see a bottom 6 like this:
Neighbors schenn stenberg
Walker bjugstad Joseph
With torpo and sunny rotating in.
Regarding krug, why doesn’t he just retire so we can stop playing cap gymnastics?
bencardsfan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2025 17:31 pm
Does anyone see Joseph as a high-end 4th liner? I love his energy and physicality but the lack of offensive skill leaves me wanting more on the 3rd line. I’d like to see a bottom 6 like this:
Neighbors schenn stenberg
Walker bjugstad Joseph
With torpo and sunny rotating in.
Regarding krug, why doesn’t he just retire so we can stop playing cap gymnastics?
bencardsfan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2025 17:31 pm
Does anyone see Joseph as a high-end 4th liner? I love his energy and physicality but the lack of offensive skill leaves me wanting more on the 3rd line. I’d like to see a bottom 6 like this:
Neighbors schenn stenberg
Walker bjugstad Joseph
With torpo and sunny rotating in.
Regarding krug, why doesn’t he just retire so we can stop playing cap gymnastics?
Would you willingly give 6 million dollars?.
Boom!
What's more, he was disabled while working for his boss. Apply that to construction, police, etc.
TruBlueFan_1970 wrote: ↑01 Oct 2025 08:20 am
I think Stenberg has made a great impression, but no room for him this year. And while I’ve been down on him, I do think Lindstein had one of his better games, against a real NHL lineup. Won’t make the team, but I saw glimpses of what everyone has been saying about him. And while he won’t make it, I thought Skinner looks as good/better than Kessel, who may be looking over his shoulder. Here’s my guess on final roster. Has a cap perspective twist, and just guessing at lines so take with a grain of salt.
Buch-RT-Snuggs
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Schenn/Suter-Joseph
Toro-Bjugstad-Walker
Extras: Sunny & Texier (gets us close to cap)
PTO continued: Lucic
If Lucic gets up to speed, Texier gets waived and Lucic is 14th forward.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Out of all of the guys that started camp on the outside looking in, it might just be Skinner who currently has the best shot of making the team. I find that a little surprising but maybe I shouldn’t. He was very solid in Springfield last season. I, and I would assume most, would consider him a career minor leaguer type but it goes to show that oftentimes, there’s really not a huge separation between a fringe NHLer and top-AHLer. Anyone else think he might just steal the #7 job from Kessel?
In the end though, my guess is the roster will be what you have above. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Kaskimaki have all looked good but we don’t need any of them yet and all could use some more seasoning. I bet we see all 3 at some point this season though.
Also, we should probably distinguish what exactly we’re talking about - the official 23-man roster the Blues will submit to the league next week or the actual 23 guys that’ll be on the roster a day or two later. Because if we’re talking the 23-man roster sent to the league, it will include Krug and thus only 22 of the guys listed above.
That’s for Cap purposes though and I think most of us are more interested in which players will actually be on the team once the games get going. But just saying - expect at least one of Snuggy/Mailloux to technically not make the team…but then be added back to the roster the next day once Krug is placed on IR or LTIR.
I’ve been rooting for Lucic but he was just bad last night. Sounds like there’s a good chance he gets into the last 2 preseason games as well but unless he finds another gear (or 2 or 3 more gears really), I just don’t see it. I like the idea of Looch but he’s just been an absolute non-factor so far. Then again, Texier hasn’t really shown much either so I guess we’ll see. And both JR and DeFranks have now both directly stated what I suggested a week ago - that the PTO could be extended to the regular season so that tells me it’s something they’re clearly discussing as an option. So I’d agree with you that that could happen…unless they get enough data these last 2 preseason games to be able to make the call on wanting to sign him or not.
I get what you are saying, but wouldn't that be considered a paper transaction and violate the new paper transaction rules? From that standpoint, Texier is likely waived, they submit the 23-man roster with Krug, then after that, they put Krug on IR (or LTIR) then sign Lucic.
Edit:
The rule I am referring to for anyone who isn't familiar with it:
The NHL CBA eliminates "paper transactions," a loophole that allowed teams to send waiver-exempt players to the AHL to accrue cap space and then quickly recall them for games
. Under the new rule, if a player is sent down to the minor league, they must play in at least one AHL game before the NHL team can recall them, with a limited exception for goalies. This change took effect for the 2025-26 season and was ratified in a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the NHL and NHLPA, according to reports from PuckPedia and other outlets.
There is talk that the opening night roster is going to be exempt from the new paper transaction rule, although how there hasnt been any guidance at this point is a surprise.
You are correct. PuckPedia just posted the following on Twitter:
Breaking
PuckPedia reports that the NHL recently provided teams with a clarification on the new no "Paper Loans" rule that requires a player sent down to play 1 AHL before being recalled.
The news is that the rule is not in effect until Oct 10.
This means teams can send players down for opening rosters & then call them up prior to Oct 10 even if they have not yet played an AHL game.
The biggest impact is for teams that want to set their LTIR pool by being under the cap. They can now send players down, submit a roster, add a player to LTIR, and then immediately call the players up.
Read more here:
puckpedia.com/LTIR25
Thus, the paper transactions I was talking about to finagle the 23-man roster for Cap purposes to start the season are still possible.
Im looking forward to the posts both here and on facebook when the roster gets announced and none of the rookies are there but krug is ....
Yep. It happens every year. That said, the Blues aren’t as tight up against the Cap this season so I expect there to be fewer Cap gymnastics this time around.
bencardsfan wrote: ↑02 Oct 2025 17:31 pm
Does anyone see Joseph as a high-end 4th liner? I love his energy and physicality but the lack of offensive skill leaves me wanting more on the 3rd line. I’d like to see a bottom 6 like this:
Neighbors schenn stenberg
Walker bjugstad Joseph
With torpo and sunny rotating in.
Regarding krug, why doesn’t he just retire so we can stop playing cap gymnastics?
Would you willingly give 6 million dollars?.
Boom!
What's more, he was disabled while working for his boss. Apply that to construction, police, etc.
Plus there is a little thing to consider in a contract called "Insurance Clause," re terms for compensation paid to whom, for cause and to whom/how is it taxable.
There is a lot at stake for one-day management of filing actions & paperwork.
Breaking