As the 2025-26 NHL season approaches the quarter mark, it's time to take a closer look at the St. Louis Blues and how their roster is shaping up. After a somewhat promising end to the 2024-25 season, where they made a strong playoff push, expectations were high for the Blues to continue their upward trajectory. However, the team has largely underperformed thus far, leaving fans and analysts alike searching for answers.

Early Season Struggles

The Blues find themselves near the bottom of the Central Division and the entire NHL, a far cry from the contender status many had predicted. Their current record reflects a significant gap between expectations and reality. Several factors contribute to the team's underwhelming performance, spanning offense, defense, and goaltending.

Offensive Woes

The Blues' offensive output has been a major disappointment, with the team ranking near the bottom of the league in goals scored and shots on goal. Even underlying metrics that initially suggested better offensive play have recently declined. This lack of scoring punch is particularly concerning given the team's struggles to generate consistent offense. Despite spending a good amount of time in the offensive zone, they struggle to convert that time into shots and, ultimately, goals.

Roster Adjustments and Key Players

Despite the struggles, the Blues have made some minor roster adjustments to try and spark a change. One notable move was creating space for prospect Dalibor Dvorsky, who has shown promise, particularly on the power play. Dvorsky's insertion into the lineup was partly due to an injury to Jake Neighbours, providing him with an opportunity to showcase his abilities. The team has shown faith in young defenseman Logan Mailloux, even after he was sent down to the AHL, recalling him later despite his initial struggles. Robert Thomas leads the team in points despite missing some games due to injury.

Special Teams: A Mixed Bag

The Blues' special teams have been a mixed bag, with a strong power play but a struggling penalty kill. Their power play ranks among the league's best, boosted by Dvorsky's contributions. However, their penalty kill has hindered their special teams from being a true asset.

Goaltending Concerns

Goaltending has been a significant area of concern for the Blues. Neither Jordan Binnington nor Joel Hofer have performed up to expectations, with both goalies posting save percentages near the bottom of the league. This has contributed to the team's struggles in preventing goals and maintaining a competitive edge.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, the Blues need to find solutions to their offensive struggles, shore up their defense, and receive better goaltending. General Manager Doug Armstrong may consider making further roster changes to address the team's shortcomings. With a significant portion of the season remaining, there is still time for the Blues to turn things around and climb back into contention. However, they need to act quickly and decisively to address the issues that have plagued them thus far. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether the Blues can salvage their season and meet the expectations that were set before the season began.