BalotelliMassive wrote: ↑12 May 2026 12:21 pm
The St. Louis Blues could be a team to watch — and they might be the most scary scenario for Blackhawks fans praying Stenberg makes it to the fourth overall pick. St. Louis owns three picks in the first round this year: Nos. 11 (their own), 15 (from Detroit) and TBD (from Colorado).
It’s worth noting the Blues attempted a fire sale before the trade deadline this past season. One of the deals that was *this close* to happening would have sent veteran right-handed defenseman Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres.
Parayko, who turns 33 on May 12, is under contract through 2030 with a $6.5M cap hit. Of course, Parayko would have to accept a trade to San Jose if something were to be consummated. Parayko reportedly invoked his no-trade clause to block the deal to Buffalo.
There’s an outside chance right-handed Daxon Rudolph could still be available at No. 11. Ryan Lin, also right-handed, could be in play at that spot (or No. 15). Left-handed defensemen Malte Gustafsson and Xavier Villeneuve or right-handed defenseman Juho Piiparinen could be available in the mid-teens as well.
the miracle wrote: ↑12 May 2026 10:02 am
This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.
I'd like for them too if it's the right three players: a big defenseman (preferable RHD), a center and then a wild card - a value prospect who slipped or a boom or bust prospect, but with massive upside if he hits. Someone like Liam Ruck or Ryan Roobroeck who was projected as Top 5 a year ago.
What I love about having the three and three 3rds is they could actually add multiple types of players: big center/ power forward types, a big stay at home defenseman and a Hughes/Hutson type, plus any smaller, high upside speed demon forward/center.
If they chose to trade up for specific players, why not? But I love the flexabilty of options.
I hope that the Blues find Line 1 talent. We don't have nearly enough of it. Line 1 talent is typically gone by #10. If they don't trade up, this 2026 draft will net the same result as the 2023 draft, a bunch of average 2nd- and 3rd-liners. That dresses the Barbie, but it does not put names on a Cup.
PPG wrote: ↑12 May 2026 12:53 pm
Even if the Blues don't make any major moves this offseason, they should very easily at least be in the running for a playoff spot next season.
With all of the parity and only a handful of elite teams, the playoff races are wide open in Both conferences.
Now making the playoffs is one thing- Actually being a serious contender is a whole other issue. It may take 3-4 years for that to happen and they need to have some of their prospects at least meet expectations,if not exceed them in a couple of instances.
Again happened for me but caught the end of a conversation among hosts in the afternoon segment of 101....they were saying Rutherford put up his lines for next season and the only change was Juricek added on the 3rd pair but all else was the same as '26.
Not sure what he knows or doesn't know but I thought that was a strange expectation with the current situation the Blues are in.
