Amanda: Fifth place. In the Central Division. That is not where we want to be, and it’s certainly not where St. Louis fans want to see this franchise sitting when the puck drops on October third against Dallas.
Paul: It’s a stark reality check as we head into the new season. The roster looks different, the leadership structure has shifted with Robert Thomas officially named captain, but the standing remains stubbornly middle-of-the-pack.
Amanda: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Amanda, and joining me as always is Paul. We are your daily source for everything St. Louis Blues hockey. Today, we are doing a full power rankings breakdown. We’re looking at where the Blues stand in the Central, identifying our biggest strengths and question marks, and giving you a realistic win projection for 2026-27.
Paul: And before we dive into the divisional standings, I want to quickly touch on something important. You know how much we love keeping this show free, daily, and without ads or paywalls? It’s a labor of love, but server costs and production add up. If you’ve enjoyed the deep dives into Thomas’s captaincy and the Mayich situation over the last few days, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. It keeps the lights on and the analysis sharp.
Amanda: Thank you so much, Paul. We appreciate every single one of you who supports us. Now, let’s get into it. Segment One: Where do the Blues rank in the Central Division right now, and why?
Paul: Well, Amanda, the headline number is fifth place in the Central Division. When you look at the landscape of that division, being fifth means you’re hovering just above the playoff bubble's edge, but realistically, you’re outside looking in unless things turn around fast.
Amanda: Right. And remember, our prediction back on September sixth was that the Blues would finish ninth in the Central. Are we still sticking by that, or has the narrative shifted with Thomas taking the 'C'?
Paul: I think we have to adjust slightly upward from ninth, but not by much. Fifth place is where the data points right now based on current roster construction and divisional strength. The Central is tough. You’ve got the top teams pushing hard, and while the Blues have talent, they lack the consistent depth to climb into the top three easily.
Paul: It’s a mix. The defensive corps has experience—Colton Parayko is still there, and adding Carlo brings physicality. But in the Central, speed kills. Teams that can transition through the neutral zone faster than you can set up your forecheck will expose gaps. The Blues need to tighten up their zone entries and reduce turnovers in the defensive zone.
Amanda: That’s a fair point. Speed through the neutral zone. It’s a constant theme in modern hockey. So, fifth place. It’s a warning sign, but also an opportunity to grow. Let’s move to Segment Two: What are the biggest strengths and the biggest question marks for this team?
Paul: Strength number one: Leadership stability. With Robert Thomas named the 25th captain in franchise history, there’s a clear identity forming. He wasn’t just handed the role; he earned it despite trade rumors swirling last season. That resilience translates to the locker room.
Paul: You look at veterans like Pavel Buchnevich on the wing and Jordan Binnington in net. Binnington, by the way, is still expected to start the majority of games over Joel Hofer, as we predicted. His presence stabilizes the crease.
Paul: That’s the big one. You have Robert Thomas, obviously, but then you have Dillon Dube, Connor McMichael, Mason McTavish, and Jack Finley all battling for roles. It’s crowded. If the second line doesn’t find immediate chemistry, the offense can stall.
Paul: Holloway provides energy and grit, which is crucial for penalty killing. But offensively, consistency is the issue. Berggren is skilled, but he needs to produce more consistently at the NHL level. The wing play is talented but unproven as a cohesive unit compared to the top line.
Paul: It’s heavy, Amanda. The reports about his heat stroke and the investigation by Arizona State are concerning. The organization is clearly supporting him and his family. This isn’t just a hockey story; it’s a human one. It reminds us why we love this game—the health and safety of these young men matter most.
Paul: Exactly. If the bottom six can’t generate secondary scoring, the top lines get tired defending early. That’s when you give up odd-man rushes. The Blues need their lower lines to contribute goals and kill penalties effectively, or they’ll struggle against deeper teams.
Amanda: So, let’s wrap this up with Segment Three: A realistic season outlook and win projection. Based on all this, where do we see the Blues finishing?
Paul: Realistically? They’re a .500 team with flashes of brilliance. I’m projecting them to stay around fifth in the Central, maybe nudging into a wild-card spot if Binnington plays well and Thomas leads the charge offensively.
Paul: The power play is critical. With Thomas driving the bus, if they can convert more opportunities, they win close games. But the penalty kill is equally important. If they can’t shut down opponents’ man-advantage situations, especially against top Central teams, those losses add up quickly.
Paul: Hofer needs to be ready to step in if Binnington gets injured or slumps. Right now, Binnington is the anchor. But if Hofer can steal a few games late in the season, it could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing them entirely.
Paul: Agreed. It’s going to be a grind. But with the right lineup combinations and solid goaltending, there’s definitely a path to success. The opener against Dallas on October third will be a great test.
Amanda: Thanks for listening to today’s power rankings breakdown! We covered the Central Division standing, the strengths and weaknesses of the roster, and our season outlook. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show—it helps more fans find us!
Paul: See you tomorrow for more Blues coverage. Go Blues!