The roster for '26-'27 is set but who ya got starting

[Harry S Deals]

The Blues currently have 14 forwards, 7 dmen and 2 goalies under contract this is your '26-'27 Blues,

https://puckpedia.com/team/st-louis-blues

C - Thomas, McTavish, Dvorsky, Suter
LW - Holloway, Neighbours, McMichael, Johnston, Torop, Walker, Dube
RW - Snuggerud, Buch, Berggren

D - Broberg, Mailloux, Parayko, Lindstein, Fowler, Tucker, Carlo

G - Hofer, Binnie

Last roster spot battles -
Sundqvist (if Sunny is healthy and moving well, hes making opening night)
Walker (lover the character, but no size not much skill has his work cut out)
Stenberg (has to come in and steal a spot but the Blues will give him every chance)
Dube (pretty sure Dube is waived down)
Berggren (good bet to make the pressbox, bottom 6 rotation)
Finley ( a big meh for me but has some room to grow, can move ok I think i go Sunny over this guy)
Tucker (pretty sure Tucker is waived down or pressbox)

[Backesdraft]

Love the question. But…I don’t think the roster is set.

[Harry S Deals]

Love the question. But…I don’t think the roster is set.

Really? What are you seeing coming still? They may not want to lose a Walker, Dube, Suter or such to potential waivers or do you see something big still coming

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Starting on defense, because it's more set in stone in my opinion, barring any trades. Tucker will not be waived, as he's signed, and while nothing more than a 6-7 defender, he helps in case of injuries. 4 LD - Broberg, Fowler, Lindstein, Tucker; 3 RD - Parayko, Mailloux, Carlo

Forward locks are the 10 below as I see it. I'm not projecting any lines, as there will be too much tinkering. Guessing nobody bats an eye, except for Johnston. Blues don't sign a guy to a 3-year deal and then put him on waivers to play in the AHL. I do think he will be an occasional pressbox vet though and get in maybe 50-55 games depending on his health and that of the rest of the team.
Locks (10): Thomas, McTavish, Dvorsky, Suter, Snuggs, Holloway, McMichael, Buch, Neighbours, Johnston

Forwards that are a "high probability" for making the opening night roster.
Probable bottom 6 forwards (3): Berggren, Finley, Toro

Battling for 14th forward. These are the guys I think are on the outside looking in and will be fighting hard to make the roster, and even then, being a regular. One of: Sunny, Dube, Walker

While I think he has 3rd line potential, I don't think Stenberg is ready for that duty yet over a full season given the current roster. Also believe they don't want to use him in a 4th line rotation, so I think he starts in the AHL. He WILL be the first callup in case of injury.

My two cents.

[clemonsonroots]

Starting on defense, because it's more set in stone in my opinion, barring any trades. Tucker will not be waived, as he's signed, and while nothing more than a 6-7 defender, he helps in case of injuries. 4 LD - Broberg, Fowler, Lindstein, Tucker; 3 RD - Parayko, Mailloux, Carlo

Forward locks are the 10 below as I see it. I'm not projecting any lines, as there will be too much tinkering. Guessing nobody bats an eye, except for Johnston. Blues don't sign a guy to a 3-year deal and then put him on waivers to play in the AHL. I do think he will be an occasional pressbox vet though and get in maybe 50-55 games depending on his health and that of the rest of the team.
Locks (10): Thomas, McTavish, Dvorsky, Suter, Snuggs, Holloway, McMichael, Buch, Neighbours, Johnston

Forwards that are a "high probability" for making the opening night roster.
Probable bottom 6 forwards (3): Berggren, Finley, Toro

Battling for 14th forward. These are the guys I think are on the outside looking in and will be fighting hard to make the roster, and even then, being a regular. One of: Sunny, Dube, Walker

While I think he has 3rd line potential, I don't think Stenberg is ready for that duty yet over a full season given the current roster. Also believe they don't want to use him in a 4th line rotation, so I think he starts in the AHL. He WILL be the first callup in case of injury.

My two cents.

about right. sunny is two way, so high probability that he is sent down. I am guessing Walker is the one waived and Dube makes the team. Injuries obviously can change things quickly.

[Backesdraft]

Love the question. But…I don’t think the roster is set.

Really? What are you seeing coming still? They may not want to lose a Walker, Dube, Suter or such to potential waivers or do you see something big still coming

I still think the Nikishin thing is a real possibility

[Harry S Deals]

Love the question. But…I don’t think the roster is set.

Really? What are you seeing coming still? They may not want to lose a Walker, Dube, Suter or such to potential waivers or do you see something big still coming

I still think the Nikishin thing is a real possibility

I dont think its necassary and hope its not a key young player going back but we will see

[The Average Gatsby]

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McMichael McTavish Buchnevich
Stenberg Dvorsky Neighbours
Dube Suter Toropchenko

Broberg Mailloux
Lindstein Parayko
Fowler Carlo

Berggren, Finley, Tucker

I honestly have no idea how the 4th line will shake out. I just don’t think Finley is very good. And I’d love to see Jiricek surprise us and push his way onto the team but the roster is too crowded.

[TBone]

The Blues currently have 14 forwards, 7 dmen and 2 goalies under contract this is your '26-'27 Blues,

Holloway - Thomas - Snuggerud
McMichael - McTavish - Buchnevich
Neighbours - Suter - Dvorsky
Johnston / Toropchenko - Finley - Toropchenko / Walker

Broberg - Mailoux
Lindstein - Parayko
Fowler - Carlo

Hofer
Binnington

Notes

- If they decide to give Dvorsky a temporary reset at RW, Suter moves to center.
- In games where they want to play heavy, Johnston and Torp play 4th line wings. Otherwise it's Torp and Walker.
- Carlo replaces Mailoux on the top pairing late in the 3rd period to close out games.
- Stenberg, Carbonneau and Jiricek all start the season in the AHL.
- Dillon Dube is a wild card. If he can play well at center he should stick with the big club.

- By season's end I would love to see Suter centering the 4th line with Stenberg, Johnston and Torp rotating at the wings and Dvorsky centering Carbonneau and Neighbours on the 3rd line.

- If the Mic Brothers return to their previous form in Anaheim and Washington, I think the Blues could be a very dangerous team come April.

This is going to be a fun-fun season! LGB!

[UMR-alum-05]

Trade Lindstein and Suter for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McM, McT, McBuch
Neighbours Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Dube, Finley (Sunny on LTIR, Walker waived to AHL, Stenberg to AHL)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Hofer
Binnington

Kill penalties with Torp/Kotkaniemi and Buch/McMichael. Finley when he makes the lineup some nights.

Johnston sits 30 or so games for Dube or Finley whoever earns the playing time.

Stenberg first call up.

Oh and have fun playing that team lol. Every defender is a tree and every line can bring some pain.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

Love the question. But…I don’t think the roster is set.

I am not sure that it is set either. I think Steen recognizes that we have a surplus of left shot wingers and 3rd line forwards in general. I don't know if he will find a partner, but I remember one of the first things he said after the draft is that he has his phone ready.

[BalotelliMassive]

That’s pretty solid depth just in case of injuries - this lineup has a lot of rotating pieces.

[Army's Mom]

Trade Lindstein and Suter for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McM, McT, McBuch
Neighbours Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Dube, Finley (Sunny on LTIR, Walker waived to AHL, Stenberg to AHL)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Hofer
Binnington

Kill penalties with Torp/Kotkaniemi and Buch/McMichael. Finley when he makes the lineup some nights.

Johnston sits 30 or so games for Dube or Finley whoever earns the playing time.

Stenberg first call up.

Oh and have fun playing that team lol. Every defender is a tree and every line can bring some pain.

Why would CAR want to trade Nikishin for Suter and Lindstein? Why would we?

1. We lose our enviable center depth. Kolkatniemi couldnt even play 4C for them, he's that bad. Why saddle a young Blues team with that much suck?

2. I think CAR would need an NHL D back. Lindstein isnt that, yet.

3. CAR's precedent is Necas, I expect then to bridge Nikishin and then trade him for a top 4 LHD.

4. Nikishin reportedly wants 8M. What's he done to warrant that? Aside from draft pedigree, I'm not sure why some folks really want him. I'm wary of anyone asking 8M after 1 year.

[UMR-alum-05]

Trade Lindstein and Suter for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McM, McT, McBuch
Neighbours Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Dube, Finley (Sunny on LTIR, Walker waived to AHL, Stenberg to AHL)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Hofer
Binnington

Kill penalties with Torp/Kotkaniemi and Buch/McMichael. Finley when he makes the lineup some nights.

Johnston sits 30 or so games for Dube or Finley whoever earns the playing time.

Stenberg first call up.

Oh and have fun playing that team lol. Every defender is a tree and every line can bring some pain.

Why would CAR want to trade Nikishin for Suter and Lindstein? Why would we?

1. We lose our enviable center depth. Kolkatniemi couldnt even play 4C for them, he's that bad. Why saddle a young Blues team with that much suck?

2. I think CAR would need an NHL D back. Lindstein isnt that, yet.

3. CAR's precedent is Necas, I expect then to bridge Nikishin and then trade him for a top 4 LHD.

4. Nikishin reportedly wants 8M. What's he done to warrant that? Aside from draft pedigree, I'm not sure why some folks really want him. I'm wary of anyone asking 8M after 1 year.

Was just playing around man. Kotkaniemi is a decent player though. Just overpaid.

Everyone who is familiar with my material knows I think the priority should be RW. Not that I expect people to remember. But I pretty consistently say the biggest Blues need is a 20 goal RW

[somni]

Trade Lindstein and Suter for Nikishin and Kotkaniemi.

Holloway Thomas Snuggerud
McM, McT, McBuch
Neighbours Dvorsky Berggren
Johnston Kotkaniemi Torpchenko

Dube, Finley (Sunny on LTIR, Walker waived to AHL, Stenberg to AHL)

Broberg Mailloux
Nikishin Parayko
Fowler Carlo
Tucker

Hofer
Binnington

Kill penalties with Torp/Kotkaniemi and Buch/McMichael. Finley when he makes the lineup some nights.

Johnston sits 30 or so games for Dube or Finley whoever earns the playing time.

Stenberg first call up.

Oh and have fun playing that team lol. Every defender is a tree and every line can bring some pain.

Why would CAR want to trade Nikishin for Suter and Lindstein? Why would we?

1. We lose our enviable center depth. Kolkatniemi couldnt even play 4C for them, he's that bad. Why saddle a young Blues team with that much suck?

2. I think CAR would need an NHL D back. Lindstein isnt that, yet.

3. CAR's precedent is Necas, I expect then to bridge Nikishin and then trade him for a top 4 LHD.

4. Nikishin reportedly wants 8M. What's he done to warrant that? Aside from draft pedigree, I'm not sure why some folks really want him. I'm wary of anyone asking 8M after 1 year.

I'm with you. I have no idea what the fascination is with Nikishin. Lindstein is just coming up and showed no indication he can't progress...actually the opposite.

A Nikishin move indicates the Blues want to push the "compete window" earlier. That can be a risky move. I'm not oppose to that strategy but Nikishin isn't someone I'd trade a recent draft pick for. He's not that much of a needle mover. And adding Kotkaniemi just makes it even worse.

Just let the kids progress some more.

[BluesDom]

H T S
Neighbours McTavish Dvorsky
McMichael Suter Buchenevich
No idea Toro walk berg sten Finley kaskimaki

Hofer binner
D Lindstein
Tucker