Amanda: Robert Thomas is the captain now. The rumors are dead. But the real question isn't about who holds the 'C'—it's about whether this roster has enough teeth to push past fifth place in the Central Division and actually challenge Dallas on opening night.
Paul: It’s a loaded group, Amanda. We have depth at center, we have defensive stability with Carlo and Parayko, but the competition for spots is fiercer than ever. From Mayich’s health update to the goalie tandem, there is a lot to unpack.
Amanda: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Amanda, and this is your daily home for St. Louis Blues analysis. Paul is here to break down the tactics, the matchups, and the roster moves shaping our 2026-27 season.
Paul: And I’m Paul. Thanks for tuning in. If you’re new here, or if you’ve been riding with us since the draft, we appreciate you. Today we’re looking at three key position battles that will define our regular season opener against Dallas.
Amanda: Here is what we are covering today: First, the massive battle at center ice—is it Robert Thomas and Dillon Dube holding the fort, or do newcomers like Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish force their way into the lineup? Second, the wing competition, specifically Jake Neighbours’ grit versus established veterans. And third, the goaltending situation between Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer.
Amanda: Before we dive into Segment One, I want to take thirty seconds to talk about how this show works. We keep Beatline free for everyone. No ads interrupting your commute, no paywalls blocking your analysis. That sustainability comes directly from listeners like you who believe in independent, fan-first hockey coverage. If you can spare a few bucks to help us keep the lights on and the microphones hot, please check out the link in the episode description. Every bit helps us stay true to our mission of bringing you honest, daily Blues content without compromise.
Amanda: Alright, let’s get into it. Segment One: The Center Ice Battle. This is arguably the most critical group on the roster. We know Robert Thomas is the captain, but behind him, it’s a crowded house.
Paul: It is crowded. When you look at the list, you have Oskar Sundqvist, Pius Suter, Dillon Dube, Jack Finley, Dylan Peterson, and then the big names: Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish. That is eight centers vying for four or five spots depending on how they use wings.
Amanda: Eight centers! Paul, that feels like overkill. How does the coaching staff manage that much talent competing for ice time? Especially with the upcoming game against Dallas, where you need chemistry early.
Paul: It’s not just about volume; it’s about skill sets. You have Sundqvist and Suter providing veteran two-way reliability. They’re safe picks. But then you bring in McMichael and McTavish, who are bigger, more physical forwards. The coaches are going to want that size to match up against teams like Dallas and Colorado.
Amanda: So, is Dillon Dube safe? He’s been with the organization for a while. Or does the arrival of McMichael and McTavish push him down the depth chart?
Paul: Dube is likely the fourth or fifth center. His speed and penalty kill ability keep him relevant. But if McMichael gets hot in preseason, he could steal the second-line role. It’s a classic case of youth vs. experience.
Amanda: I think McMichael has the edge because of his NHL readiness. He’s played before. He knows the pace. But watch for Dylan Peterson—he’s a sleeper who could surprise everyone with his offensive instincts.
Paul: Peterson is the wild card. If he shows power play fluency, he stays. If not, he’s heading back to junior or AHL. The bar is high for everyone except Thomas.
Amanda: Right. Thomas is the anchor. The rest are fighting for survival. Let’s move to Segment Two: The Wing Wars. We have Pavel Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway, Ross Johnston, Jake Neighbours, Nathan Walker on left wing, and Jonatan Berggren, Dalibor Dvorsky, Julien Gauthier, Hugh McGing, Jimmy Snuggerud, Alexey Toropchenko on right wing.
Paul: That is six right wingers. Six! This is where the cuts will be brutal. You have established NHLers like Buchnevich and Berggren, but you also have raw talent like Neighbours and Snuggerud.
Amanda: Jake Neighbours! Everyone is talking about his grit. Do you think his energy translates to consistent NHL minutes, or is he too risky for a team trying to climb out of fifth place?
Paul: Grit wins games, Amanda. But consistency wins series. Neighbours needs to show he can handle the neutral zone pressure. If he turns the puck over, he’s done. But if he forechecks like a maniac, he’ll earn top-nine minutes.
Amanda: What about Dylan Holloway on the left side? He brings size and scoring potential. Is he locked in, or is he competing with someone like Ross Johnston?
Paul: Holloway looks like the clear number two left winger behind Buchnevich. Johnston is the fourth line grinder. Holloway’s upside is higher, so he gets the benefit of the doubt unless he struggles with his defensive zone coverage.
Amanda: On the right side, it’s a mess. Berggren is reliable, but Dvorsky and Gauthier are dangerous offensively. Who do you trust to start the season?
Paul: Berggren is the safe bet. He’s proven. But if Dvorsky shows elite shot accuracy in camp, he could steal the spot. Gauthier is a project—he might start in the AHL.
Amanda: So, Berggren starts, Dvorsky chases. What about the defensemen? We have Philip Broberg, Brandon Carlo, Cam Fowler, Logan Mailloux, Colton Parayko, Calle Rosen, and Tyler Tucker.
Paul: The defense corps is stable. Carlo and Parayko are your top pair. Fowler and Rosen provide steady bottom-six minutes. But Mailloux and Broberg are the ones watching their backs.
Amanda: Logan Mailloux was predicted to play 60 games last time we spoke. Do you still see that happening? He’s young, but he’s got the tools.
Paul: I do. Mailloux is fast, smart, and plays a clean game. He fits the modern NHL defenseman mold perfectly. Unless he makes a costly error in preseason, he’s in.
Amanda: Agreed. Now, let’s talk about the net. Jordan Binnington vs. Joel Hofer. And Georgi Romanov is there too, though he’s likely the long-term project.
Paul: Binnington is the starter. Period. Hofer is the backup. But Hofer has shown flashes of brilliance. If Binnington struggles early against Dallas, Hofer will get his chance.
Amanda: But Binnington is a Vezina-caliber goalie. He doesn’t struggle for long. Hofer’s job is to stay ready and support him. Any signs of tension between them?
Paul: No tension. Professionalism rules. Hofer knows his role. He’s been through this before. He’s not going to force the issue.
Amanda: Okay, final segment. Roster Cut Predictions. Who is going home? Who is trending up? Who is trending down?
Paul: Trending up: Connor McMichael, Jake Neighbours, Logan Mailloux. These guys are playing with urgency and proving they belong at the NHL level.
Amanda: Trending down? Maybe Julien Gauthier and Cameron Schatzer if he were here—but wait, Schatzer isn’t on this list. So, Gauthier and maybe Dylan Peterson if he doesn’t score.
Paul: Correct. Gauthier is tough to fit. He’s a power forward, but we already have Johnston and McTavish for that style. He might be sent to the AHL to start.
Amanda: And finally, who makes the final 23-man roster? My prediction: Thomas, Dube, Sundqvist, Suter, McMichael, Finley, Peterson (if healthy), Buchnevich, Holloway, Johnston, Neighbours, Walker, Berggren, Dvorsky, Gauthier (maybe), Carlo, Parayko, Fowler, Rosen, Mailloux, Broberg, Tucker, Binnington.
Paul: Solid guess, Amanda. I’d swap Peterson for McTavish. McTavish’s size is too valuable to ignore. And I’d keep Hofer over Romanov for sure.
Amanda: There you have it. The Blues are set. Robert Thomas leads the charge, the center ice battle is fierce, and the goalies are ready. We’ll see you after the season opener against Dallas!
Paul: Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Your support keeps us going. Go Blues!
Amanda: This is the Beatline Podcast Network. Stay loud, stay loyal, and we’ll see you tomorrow!