Biggest Offseason Questions and Early Answers About the St. Louis Blues Roster Moves

The St. Louis Blues are at a pivotal juncture as they approach the heart of the 2025 offseason, with a roster poised for playoff contention but riddled with questions about its long-term direction. 

Fresh off a season of strategic moves, including the acquisition of Logan Mailloux and the signing of Pius Suter, GM Doug Armstrong and the soon to be GM Alexander Steen faced challenges in addressing center depth, reshaping the defense, and integrating a deep prospect pool led by players like Dalibor Dvorsky. 

Here, we break down the six biggest questions surrounding the roster and prospects, offering early insights into the team’s path toward the 2025-26 season.

Can Prospects Zach Dean, Nikita Alexandrov, Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, and Dalibor Dvorsky Secure NHL Roster Spots?

• Question: With Zach Dean, Nikita Alexandrov (qualified RFA), Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, and Dalibor Dvorsky all showing promise in the AHL or junior leagues, can any of them earn a full-time NHL role in 2025-26? How will their development paths impact veterans like Oskar Sundqvist, Mathieu Joseph, or Alexandre Texier?
• Early Answer:
  • Dalibor Dvorsky, with 21 goals and 45 points in 61 AHL games in 2024-25, is a prime candidate for an AHL season, possibly as a top-line center with Springfield. A midseason call-up is possible if he dominates, but easing him into the NHL on the wing is less ideal due to his lack of experience and competition from wingers like Pavel Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway, and Jake Neighbours.
  • Nikita Alexandrov’s offensive growth, evident in his 21 goals and 49 points in 48 AHL games last season, is hindered by his limited NHL impact (two points in 23 games in 2023-24). Should he re-sign with St. Louis, he could compete for a fourth-line spot with Sundqvist or Joseph, but his chances depend on training camp performance.
  • Zach Dean is a complicated situation. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Ivan Barbashev trade, had a limited 2023-24 season due to injuries. He played nine NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, recording no points and a -4 rating. In the AHL, he played 49 games, scoring nine goals and 14 points but posting a -24 rating due to defensive struggles. In the 2024-25 AHL season, he improved, scoring one goal and four points in 11 games with a +5 rating. His gritty, versatile style makes him a candidate for a fourth-line role in the 2025-26 NHL season, again, potentially challenging veterans like Oskar Sundqvist or Mathieu Joseph. However, his inconsistent offensive production and injury history suggest he’ll once again start in the AHL to build consistency and refine his defensive game. A strong training camp could also earn him a midseason call-up if he outperforms expectations and the Blues need bottom-six depth.
  • Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, a promising AHL player, could be a dark horse for a bottom-six role, especially on the wing. His speed and scoring touch could challenge Texier or Joseph, but he’s more likely to start in the AHL to build consistency, like Dean.
  • Outlook: The Blues’ forward depth, with veterans like Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Kyrou, and Jimmy Snuggerud already slotted in, limits immediate openings. Dvorsky and Alexandrov have the best shot at NHL minutes, but all four are likely to see AHL time to ensure long-term development, potentially creating a logjam that could lead to trades of veterans like Sundqvist or Joseph to open spots.

Can the Blues Address Their Need for a Top-Six or Top-Nine Center Without Blocking Prospects?

• Question: With the signing of Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad, along with players like Dalibor Dvorsky in the pipeline, can the Blues add a top-six or top-nine center via trade or free agency without stunting the growth of their young talent? How does this balance affect roster decisions?
• Early Answer: Suter’s two-year, $4 million AAV deal fills a middle-six role, offering two-way play (25 goals, 46 points last season) without blocking Dvorsky long-term. The Blues seem content with Suter as a short-term solution, especially given the price tag, allowing Dvorsky to develop in the AHL. This approach preserves cap flexibility and avoids rushing prospects.

How Will the Defensive Structure Look with Nick Leddy’s Departure and Logan Mailloux’s Arrival?

• Question: With Nick Leddy’s departure and Logan Mailloux’s arrival reinforcing the right side, how will the St. Louis Blues structure their defensive pairings for the 2025-26 season? How will Mailloux’s potential NHL role, alongside Justin Faulk, shape the blue line?
• Early Answer: Nick Leddy’s departure leaves a void of depth on the left side of the Blues’ defense, where he was a reliable option known for his puck-moving ability and veteran presence that should be filled by gritty defenseman, Tyler Tucker. The acquisition of Logan Mailloux from the Montreal Canadiens signals the Blues’ intent to strengthen their right-side defense with a young, high-upside player. Mailloux, who has shown offensive flair and physicality in the AHL is poised to compete for an NHL roster spot in 2025-26. If he cracks the lineup, he is likely to interchange with Justin Faulk on the right side of the second and third pairings, providing flexibility and depth.

Will Jordan Kyrou Be Traded, and How Would It Impact Prospect Integration?

• Question: With Kyrou’s no-trade clause now active and trade rumors persisting, could a trade create opportunities for prospects like Dvorsky? How would his departure reshape the forward group?
• Early Answer: Kyrou’s 36 goals this past season make him a cornerstone player, but his $8.125 million cap hit and the Blues’ winger depth (Buchnevich, Snuggerud, Neighbours) have fueled trade speculation. Moving Kyrou could free up cap space to address center needs or re-sign RFAs, while opening a top-six wing spot but creates a massive hole if a 2C was not acquired. No trade has been made, and Armstrong’s cautious approach suggests Kyrou stays unless a deal aligns with long-term goals. The biggest hurdle now would be getting Kyrou to waive his No Trade Clause should the Blues be interested in moving on from the winger.

Can the Blues Maintain Goaltending Stability with Binnington and Hofer?

• Question: With Hofer’s extension and Binnington’s statistical regression, can the goaltending tandem hold up, and does Vadim Zherenko’s development affect their plans?
• Early Answer: Binnington’s decline to an 2.69 GAA and .900 SV% and Hofer’s two-year extension (2.65 GAA, .904 SV% in 2024-25) solidify the tandem for the next two seasons. The next question though becomes who takes more of the starting role in net over those two seasons. With AHL netminder Colten Ellis (two years) and Vadim Zherenko re-signed (one-year), to two-way deals keeps them as valuable depth options should an injury arise. The Blues have provided the runway for the netminder’s to let them determine who the future in net will be.

Will the Blues Re-Sign Cam Fowler?

• Question: With Cam Fowler’s contract expiring after the 2025-26 season, will the St. Louis Blues re-sign the veteran defenseman, considering his age and performance? How does Theo Lindstein’s potential AHL performance and NHL readiness influence this decision, and what financial and roster constraints or other concerns impact the likelihood of Fowler’s re-signing?
• Early Answer: Cam Fowler, acquired to bolster the Blues’ left-side defense, is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2025-26 season at age 34. His current contract carries a $6.5 million cap hit, and his performance as a top-pairing defenseman alongside Colton Parayko in 2025-26 will be critical in determining whether the Blues pursue a re-signing. The veteran appears willing to re-sign in St. Louis as well, which bodes well for the future of the blue line. Enter Theo Lindstein, a top defensive prospect expected to start the 2025-26 season in the AHL with Springfield, adds a significant variable, as his potential NHL readiness could reduce the need to retain Fowler long-term as to not block the first round draft choice with a blue line already crowded with multiple defenders. Financial constraints, Fowler’s age-related decline risks, and roster dynamics further complicate the decision should Lindstein show he is ready to compete for a top-four spot in the NHL as soon as the 2026-27 season.