One day after the St. Louis Blues officially set their 23-man roster for the 2025-26 NHL season opener, the team appears locked in for Thursday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild, blending veteran leadership with emerging talent in a bid to return to playoff contention. However, the announcement included a twist: promising goaltending prospect Colten Ellis was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres, adding a layer of organizational adjustment on the eve of the new campaign. This move underscores the high-stakes nature of roster finalization, where depth pieces can shift allegiances in an instant.
Update as of October 7 Morning
Milan Lucic's professional tryout remains unresolved, with speculation pointing toward a potential extension rather than an immediate release or contract.
While there has been excitement over performances to players like Jimmy Snuggerud, Robert Thomas, and Logan Mailloux, there was a mixture of disappointment in Ellis's departure and questions about forward depth.
Blues' Opening Night Roster Breakdown
The Blues' roster features 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, offering a balanced approach under head coach Jim Montgomery. Leadership remains anchored by captain Brayden Schenn and alternates Robert Thomas, Colton Parayko, and Justin Faulk, providing stability for a team looking to push back not only to the postseason, but beyond the first round.
Forwards (14)
- #9 Alexandre Texier
- #10 Brayden Schenn (C)
- #13 Alexey Toropchenko
- #18 Robert Thomas (A)
- #21 Jimmy Snuggerud
- #22 Pius Suter
- #25 Jordan Kyrou
- #26 Nathan Walker
- #63 Jake Neighbours
- #70 Oskar Sundqvist
- #71 Mathieu Joseph
- #77 Nick Bjugstad
- #81 Dylan Holloway
- #89 Pavel Buchnevich
This forward group mixes scoring punch from stars like Buchnevich and Kyrou with gritty depth from players like Walker and Joseph.
What’s important to note, Alexandre Texier has secured a spot despite preseason speculation that he might be the odd man out in preseason camp competition. The 26-year-old, acquired from Columbus last year, brings speed and versatility to the bottom six, though his position could evolve with early-season performance or trades.
Defensemen (7)
- #6 Philip Broberg
- #17 Cam Fowler
- #23 Logan Mailloux
- #51 Matthew Kessel
- #55 Colton Parayko (A)
- #72 Justin Faulk (A)
- #75 Tyler Tucker
The blue line has undergone significant retooling over the past two offseasons with additions like Mailloux and now with full season of Fowler, injecting mobility and experience. Mailloux and Kessel add depth and even top-four upside in the case of Mailloux, while veteran anchors like Parayko and Faulk ensure defensive reliability. Defenseman Hunter Skinner cleared waivers and was reassigned to the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds, finalizing this lean group without an eighth blueliner. Should an injury arise, he could be a quick call up for the Blues.
Goaltenders (2)
- #30 Joel Hofer
- #50 Jordan Binnington
Binnington holds down the starter role, with Hofer as a reliable backup, maintaining continuity in net. No major surprises here, but the crease depth takes a hit elsewhere in the organization.
Additionally, the Blues placed defenseman Torey Krug on IR, aiding cap compliance and allowing for potential recalls.
We have claimed goaltender Colten Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 6, 2025
Details → https://t.co/uhrz8UEr0C pic.twitter.com/SxPEqGqYnV
Waiver Wire Shakeup: Sabres Claim Colten Ellis
In a move that coincided with the roster reveal, the Buffalo Sabres claimed 25-year-old goaltender Colten Ellis off waivers from the Blues.
Ellis, a 2019 third-round draft pick, impressed in the AHL last season with a .922 save percentage and 2.63 GAA over 42 games for the Thunderbirds, and he was flawless in preseason NHL action (24/24 saves). His departure thins St. Louis' goaltending prospect pool, leaving Vadim Zherenko and Will Cranley as the primary duo for Springfield. Zherenko, a 2020 seventh-rounder, boasts a .904 career AHL save percentage and could step up as the starter, while Cranley brings ECHL experience for backup duties.
For the Sabres, this claim addresses immediate depth needs amid Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's lower-body injury, which will sideline him for the opener. Ellis joins a crowded crease featuring Alex Lyon, Alexander Georgiev, and Devon Levi, offering low-cost insurance ($775K cap hit) and potential NHL upside. Once Luukkonen returns, roster shuffling could occur, potentially putting players like Cranley back on the waiver wire for a possible Blues reclamation.
Looking Ahead: Blues' Season Outlook
With this roster locked in, the Blues improved defensive structure and secondary scoring to challenge for a top-three spot in the Central Division. The loss of Ellis is a minor setback, but the focus remains on NHL stability with Binnington and Hofer. Compared to last season's group, this year’s club boasts better blue-line mobility, potentially reducing goals against while boosting transition play under a full Jim Montgomery season.