September 7, 2025
St. Louis blues news
The St. Louis Blues returned to the playoffs for the first time in three years, though their run ended in the first round after a double-overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets in Game 7. Despite the early exit, the late-season push—marked by a 12-game winning streak and a 13-2-1 finish—was a sign of progress.
However, that strong finish masked an otherwise inconsistent season. Without that final stretch, the Blues likely would have missed the playoffs again. Now the focus shifts to whether they can build on that momentum—or risk slipping backward.
This offseason has been quiet for St. Louis due to limited salary cap flexibility. The most notable move was trading Zack Bolduc for Logan Mailloux, a deal that could shape how this offseason is ultimately remembered.
Potential Shift Toward Rebuild
If the Blues struggle early in the 2025–26 season, general manager Doug Armstrong may have to consider retooling the roster. This wouldn’t be a full-scale rebuild, but strategic changes might be necessary, especially to free up cap space.
Currently, the team has just $625,000 in available cap room. Even with around $32 million projected for next season, that figure ranks only 18th in the league, putting the Blues at a disadvantage in pursuing top free agents.
On the bright side, the Blues have young talent like Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbors, along with a highly regarded head coach in Jim Montgomery. These foundational pieces make a long rebuild unlikely, but cap constraints may require some difficult midseason decisions.
One potential move could involve trading veteran forward Brayden Schenn. Now 33, Schenn has two years left on his contract after this season and has played a key role since joining the team eight years ago, including during the 2019 Stanley Cup run. If the Blues fall out of playoff contention, moving Schenn at the deadline could open up much-needed space and bring in future assets.
Ultimately, how the team performs out of the gate in 2025–26 will be critical. A strong start could position them as legitimate contenders. A slow one might force a recalibration to avoid getting stuck as a perennial bubble team.
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