Just ahead of the 2025-26 NHL preseason, the St. Louis Blues are primed to not only push for a playoff spot, but potentially turn a few heads against the Central Division while doing so. With their rivalry against the Winnipeg Jets providing a crucial battleground to showcase their stuff, the competition against the Jets is always a series to watch.
The Jets, powered by stars like Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, confront roster turnover and goaltending questions that the Blues’ physical, balanced attack can exploit. Drawing from the Jets’ 2024-25 stats and their projected 2025-26 lineup, let’s break down how St. Louis can capitalize on Winnipeg’s vulnerabilities in this fierce divisional clash.
Central Division Series
Winnipeg Jets’ Offseason Moves: Openings for the Blues
The Jets revamped their roster to address cap and depth issues, but the changes create exploitable gaps for St. Louis:
Key Additions
- Jonathan Toews (F): Signed this offseason, the 37-year-old veteran center brings leadership with 15 goals, 31 points in 53 games in the 2022-23 season.
- Gustav Nyquist (F): Signed as a free agent, the 36-year-old posted 28 points (11G, 17A) in 79 games.
- Tanner Pearson (F): A free agent signing, the 33-year-old winger tallied 27 points (12G, 15A) in 78 games, providing veteran depth.
Key Subtractions
- Mason Appleton (F): Appleton signed with the Detroit Red Wings this past offseason, losing 22 points (10G, 12A) and 76 hits from 71 games. His secondary scoring is missed, giving the Blues an edge in even-strength play.
- Nikolaj Ehlers (F): Signed with the Carolina Hurricanes this past offseason leaves a massive hole in the Jets’ top-six. The loss removes 55-65 point player from their lineup. Ehlers posted 63 points (24G, 39A) from 69 games. His speed and offense departure weakens Winnipeg’s top-six, a prime opportunity for St. Louis’ defense.
- Brandon Tanev (F): Signed with Utah as a free agent on July 1, 2025, losing a strong physical forward 168 hits from 79 games. His energy and PK skills are gone, favoring the Blues in special teams.
Impact on Depth
The Jets’ additions (Toews, Di Giuseppe, Duehr, Koepke, Nyquist, Pearson, Poulter) focus on veteran experience and depth, but the subtractions (Appleton, Ehlers, Tanev, Toninato, Coghlan) deplete scoring and physicality. With a reliance on aging additions and unproven prospects, St. Louis’ middle-six (Suter, Schenn) and relentless forecheck can overwhelm Winnipeg’s revamped lineup.
Projected Jets Lineup and Special Teams
Based on projected 2025-26 roster and lines:
Forwards:
- Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi
- Niederreiter – Toews – Perfetti
- Iafallo – Namestnikov – Nyquist
- Pearson – Barron – Koepke
Defense:
- Morrissey – DeMelo
- Samberg – Pionk
- Fluery – Schenn
Goaltenders:
- Hellebuyck
- Comrie
Power Play 1: Connor – Scheifele – Vilardi – Perfetti – Morrissey
Power Play 2: Niederreiter – Toews – Iafallo – Namestnikov – Pionk
Penalty Kill 1: Barron – Iafallo – Samberg – DeMelo
Penalty Kill 2: Namestnikov – Connor – Fluery – Pionk
Key Matchups: Where the Blues Hold the Edge
The Blues-Jets rivalry features high-scoring potential, and St. Louis holds the advantage:
- Jordan Kyrou vs. Kyle Connor: Kyrou’s speed and finishing abilties can come close to matching Connor’s elite scoring (41G, 97PTS in 2024-25). With his quick release, Kyrou can exploit Winnipeg’s thinner blue line, supported by players like Buchnevich and Holloway to rival Connor’s playmaking.
- Cam Fowler vs. Josh Morrissey: Fowler’s veteran experience and puck-moving abilities can challenge Morrissey’s offensive dominance. Backed by the Blues’ physical defense, Fowler can break up Jets’ transitions, capitalizing on Winnipeg’s depleted depth.
- Depth Battle: The Blues’ middle-six featuring Holloway, Schenn, Neighbours, Suter, and even Bjugstad outmatches Winnipeg’s revamped group of Nyquist and Pearson. St. Louis’ forecheck should be able to wear down the Jets’ unproven lines.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Blues’ Path to Victory
Jets’ Strengths:
- Top-Line Firepower: Connor and Scheifele are lethal, but The likes of Fowler and Parayko and the Blues’ defense can force low-danger shots.
- Goaltending: Hellebuyck’s .924 SV% and 4 SO are elite, but St. Louis’ high-volume shooters can and will need to relentlessly test him.
- Defensive Core: Morrissey and DeMelo provide stability, but the second and third pair’s become a little uneven and could let the Blues create opportunity.
Jets’ Weaknesses:
- Depth Scoring Gaps: Losses like Ehlers and Appleton reduce production beyond the top lines. There is no telling what Toews still brings to the table allowing St. Louis’ depth to overwhelm Winnipeg’s bottom-six.
- Physicality Deficit: Subtractions of Tanev and Coghlan weaken their overall grit while Schenn can still provide that needed sandpaper.
- Aging Additions: Veterans like Toews (37) and Nyquist (35) bring experience but carry injury risks.
What to Expect in 2025-26: Blues Poised to Jet Past Winnipeg
The Jets are eyeing a playoff return with their core and could project over 100 points. However, subtractions like Ehlers and Tanev make them less resilient than their 116-point 2024-25 campaign. For Blues fans, St. Louis’ speed, depth from Holloway and Kyrou, and defensive upgrades of Fowler, Broberg ahead of the 2024-25 season, and now Mailloux ahead of the 2025-26 season position them to turn the tables in head-to-head matchups and their 1-2-1 record last season.
If the Blues capitalize on Winnipeg’s turnover and veterans like Toews step up inconsistently, they can soar in the Central. The Jets remain dangerous with Connor and Hellebuyck, but their flaws make them conquerable—especially by the Blues.