In an effort to reclaim their status as one of the top teams in the Central Division, the St. Louis Blues will need to work through the gauntlet of their Midwest division. Their rivalry against the Minnesota Wild offers a prime chance to reassert and eventually reclaim their supremacy. The Wild, led by stars like Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, face depth and injury challenges that the Blues’ physical, balanced roster can exploit.
Let’s break down how St. Louis can capitalize on Minnesota’s weaknesses in this gritty divisional clash.
Central Division Series
Minnesota Wild’s Offseason Moves: Openings for the Blues
The Wild adjusted their roster to navigate cap constraints and injuries, creating exploitable gaps for St. Louis:
Key Additions
- Vladimir Tarasenko (F): Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations on June 30, 2025. The 33-year-old forward tallied 33 points (11G, 22A) last season and brings two Stanley Cup titles (2019 with St. Louis, 2024 with Florida). His Blues history aids St. Louis in anticipating his play.
- Nico Sturm (F): Signed a two-year contract on July 1, 2025. The 30-year-old, a two-time Cup winner (2022 with Colorado, 2025 with Florida), adds depth and physicality with 111 NHL games of experience. The Blues’ veterans can still outmaneuver him.
- Danila Yurov (F): Signed a three-year entry-level deal on May 16, 2025, after a strong KHL season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk (13G, 12A, 25PTS in 46GP). The 21-year-old’s rookie status makes him a target for St. Louis’ seasoned defense.
- Zeev Buium (D): Promoted to a regular NHL role after playing 4 games last season (0PTS, 0 BLK, minimal ice time). The 20-year-old prospect, drafted 12th overall in 2024, steps in for Brodin, but his limited experience leaves Minnesota’s blue line exposed to the Blues’ forecheck.
- David Jiricek (D): Acquired from Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade (2025 1st, 2026 3rd, 2026 4th, 2027 2nd for Jiricek and a 2025 5th). The 21-year-old adds potential, but his integration into a depleted defense could falter against St. Louis’ physical play.
Key Subtractions
- Marc-André Fleury (G): Retired after the 2024-25 season, thinning goaltending depth. This elevates Jesper Wallstedt, whose 0.843 SV% in 2 games
- Frederick Gaudreau (C): Traded to Seattle Kraken for a 2025 4th-round pick, losing 37PTS from 82 games. His versatility is missed, giving the Blues’ middle-six an edge.
Impact on Depth
The Wild’s additions (Tarasenko, Sturm, Yurov, Buium, Jiricek) aim to offset losses (Brodin who is unlikely to be ready for start of season, Fleury, Gaudreau), but the roster remains inexperienced in certain areas while hoping for growth from players like Rossi and Jiricek. Brodin’s absence and Fleury’s retirement expose goaltending and defense, while the bottom-six leans on unproven Yurov and Buium (4GP last season).
Projected Wild Lineup and Special Teams
Forwards:
- Kaprizov – Eriksson Ek – Boldy
- Johansson – Rossi – Zuccarello
- Foligno – Hartman – Tarasenko
- Trenin – Sturm – Yurov
Defense:
- Middleton – Faber
- Buium – Spurgeon
- Jiricek – Bogosian
Goaltenders:
- Gustavsson
- Wallstedt
Power Play 1: Kaprizov – Eriksson Ek – Zuccarello – Boldy – Faber
Power Play 2: Johansson – Rossi – Tarasenko – Buium – Spurgeon
Penalty Kill 1: Foligno – Eriksson Ek – Middleton – Faber
Penalty Kill 2: Sturm – Trenin – Spurgeon – Bogosian
Key Matchups: Blues’ Edge Over the Wild
The Blues-Wild rivalry thrives on physicality, and St. Louis holds the advantage:
- Dylan Holloway vs. Kirill Kaprizov: Holloway’s physicality and emerging two-way game can challenge Kaprizov’s scoring (17.2% SPCT). With support from Robert Thomas, Holloway can challenge and disrupt Kaprizov’s high-danger chances, leveraging his speed and forechecking ability.
- Depth Battle: The Blues’ middle-six (Holloway, Schenn, Neighbour, Snuggerud) outmatches Minnesota’s thinner group of unproven talent in the NHL with the likes of Yurov and Trenen. St. Louis’ forecheck can wear down the Wild’s depth.
Wild Strengths and Weaknesses: Blues’ Path to Victory
Wild Strengths:
- Top-Line Firepower: Kaprizov (25G in 41GP) and Boldy (27G, 73PTS) are lethal, but Parayko, Fowler and Broberg can force low-danger shots.
- Goaltending: Gustavsson’s 0.914 SV% and 5 SO are strong, but St. Louis’ high-volume shooters from the likes of Kyrou, Snuggerud, and Holloway can test him.
- Defensive Structure: Faber and Spurgeon provide stability, but Buium’s inexperience and Brodin’s absence should let the Blues command the boards.
Wild Weaknesses (Blues’ Opportunities):
- Depth Scoring Gaps: Beyond Kaprizov, Boldy and Rossi, scoring drops. Tarasenko is aging and though they added Yurov, he is still unproven in the NHL. St. Louis’ depth and lineup fluidity should work to overwhelm Minnesota’s bottom-six.
- Physicality Deficit: Only Foligno (253 HIT) Trenin (241 HIT), and Middleton (99 HIT) bring true physical grit. The Blues’ hitters (Walker, Toropchenko, Holloway, Neighbours, Schenn) dictate the pace.
- Injury Risk: Brodin’s absence and aging vets (Spurgeon is 36; Zuccarello 38, Bogosian and Johansson are 35, Foligno and Tarasenko 34) expose Minnesota, especially against St. Louis’ relentless play and up-and-coming core.
What to Expect in 2025-26: Blues Could Outshine the Wild
The Wild target a playoff spot with their core (100+ points projected), but Brodin’s injury, depth losses, multiple aging veterans and Yurov/Buium’s inexperience brings an added element of uncertainty to them.
St. Louis’ physicality, depth and defensive upgrades and development from players like Tyler Tucker and Logan Mailloux position them to challenge and control matchups. If the Blues stay healthy and their youth thrive, they can outpace Minnesota in the Central and push for a playoff berth as a top-three team in the division.