As the 2025-26 NHL season kicks off, the St. Louis Blues enter with renewed optimism following a surprising playoff berth and first-round battle against the Winnipeg Jets last year.
Under head coach Jim Montgomery, who turned the team around mid-season in 2024-25, the Blues boast a balanced roster bolstered by key acquisitions like Cam Fowler (via trade from Anaheim), Logan Mailloux (acquired from Montreal), and free-agent additions of Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad. The club was one of the most electrifying teams in the NHL under Montgomery who has taken the teams strengths to a new level. From January 1 through the end of the season, the Blues ranked 4th in the NHL in goals for per game (3.37) and 7th in goals allowed per game (2.65)
With a projected lineup featuring dynamic forwards like Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, Jordan Kyrou, and Pavel Buchnevich, alongside a solid defensive core and goaltending tandem of Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer, St. Louis seems poised for another competitive campaign in the loaded Central Division.
There seems to be very little doubt to the fact that this Blues roster is built to be a playoff contender, potentially climbing higher in the standings with improved special teams and depth scoring.
Here’s a look at some of my projected team accolades for the coming season:
Team Accolades
The Blues are expected to secure a playoff spot for the second straight year, building on their late-2024-25 surge where they ranked among the league's top teams under Montgomery. With a projected point total in the 90-100 range, they could snag a wild-card berth or even challenge for a top-three spot in the Central, though the division's depth (featuring powerhouses like Dallas, Winnipeg, and Colorado) makes it a tall order.
Their strong 5-on-5 play positions them as a dark horse for a deep postseason run, potentially pushing for a — perhaps too bold — spot in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2019.
Offensively, St. Louis could rank in the top 10 for goals per game, leveraging their high-octane style that produced 250 goals last season. If special teams improve—last year's power play was middling at 22.05% (16th) and penalty kill at 74.35% (27th)—they might earn recognition as one of the league's most entertaining teams. However, there is still a chance of regression believing that last year’s pace and play is unsustainable. Where the Blues lie statistically over the course of an 82-game season will be one to keep an eye on.
Individual Accolades
The Blues' success hinges on star-level production from core players and breakthroughs from young additions. Here's a spotlight on key projections:
- Robert Thomas (C, Top Line): As the team's franchise center, Thomas is forecasted to hit the 80 point mark again this season, and flirt with 100 points for the first time in his career. Entering his prime at 26, he's a top-50 fantasy player and potential Hart Trophy (MVP) or Lady Byng nominee if he leads St. Louis in scoring.
- Jordan Kyrou (RW, Second Line): Kyrou is primed to lead the Blues in scoring again this season, perhaps even hit 40 goals this season for the first time in his career, building on three straight 30-goal campaigns and now with linemates Dylan Holloway and Pius Suter providing the speed and offensive support that.
- Philip Broberg (D, Second Pair): A breakout candidate, Broberg could surpass 50 points thanks to his elite skating and offensive abilities that should work to his advantage in a system that will be leaning heavily on the team’s defensemen to engage in the offensive zone.
- Logan Mailloux (D, Third Pair): As a rookie, Mailloux is projected for around 30 points after impressing in camp and preseason. Responsibilities could grow as the season moves along though as a player who could overtake the veteran Justin Faulk offering more of a chance for him to earn playing time, power play deployment, and point totals.
- Jimmy Snuggerud (RW, Top Line): The rookie winger could finish the season a top-three Calder contender with 50+ points projected, translating his college and international success to the NHL earning top-six minutes alongside Thomas. The award this season will be difficult to earn, but certainly one Snuggerud is capable of earning.
- Cam Fowler (D, Top Pair): Acquired to stabilize the defense, the veteran will get the lions share of top-pairing deployment this season. Fowler could post a career-high 50 or more points should he continue his 0.705 point per game pace that he earned in 2024-25 with the Blues. Looking conservatively, Fowler could post at or near a career-high with 45 points earned.
- Jordan Binnington (G): Rebounding statistically, Binnington should notch at least 25 wins with a sub-2.70 GAA and return to a .910+ save percentage. Pushing for a spot on Team Canada, he’s a veteran netminder who could share the William M. Jennings Trophy with Hofer if the teams defense ranks near the top of the league.
- Dylan Holloway (LW, Second Line): With a playmaker like Suter centering the second line, Holloway could flirt with a point-per game pace this season. A 30-goal campaigns along with 70+ points should be well within reach for the man they call ‘Hollywood’.