Amanda: Robert Thomas is officially the captain. Trade rumors are dead. The roster is set. And we have a lot to unpack before that October 3rd opener against Dallas. Stick with us.
Paul: It’s been a whirlwind week in St. Louis. We’ve seen the leadership structure solidify, some heartbreaking news regarding our draft picks, and a clear path to the ice for the season opener.
Amanda: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Amanda, your lead host, and alongside me as always is Paul. Today is a mailbag episode, so we’re diving straight into your questions about the Blues' current state.
Paul: That’s right. We’ve got three big segments planned. First, we’ll tackle the biggest headlines surrounding Robert Thomas’s captaincy and the Matthew Mayich situation. Then we’ll break down the center ice battles and defensive pairings. Finally, a fun hypothetical and a lightning round of quick takes.
Amanda: Before we get to the questions, I want to take a quick second. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, knowing you’re there helps keep this show free and daily for everyone. A small tip through the link in the episode description goes a long way. Thank you for supporting independent hockey analysis.
Paul: We appreciate every single one of you listening. Let’s jump into the first batch of questions from the fanbase.
Amanda: First up, we have a question from Sarah in St. Louis asking about the captaincy announcement. She says, 'I know trade rumors were swirling around Robert Thomas last year, but now he’s named the 25th captain in franchise history. How does this change the locker room dynamic?'
Paul: It changes everything, honestly. You mentioned the trade rumors, which was huge at the time. To see them name him captain just months later sends a massive message of stability. He’s not just a player anymore; he’s the voice. It silences any lingering doubt about his future here.
Amanda: Exactly. It shows the front office has complete faith in him. But Paul, what about the on-ice responsibility? With the Blues currently sitting 1st in the Central Division, does the weight of leadership fall heavier on Thomas given the high expectations?
Paul: Well, looking at the standings, they are indeed 1st in the Central. That’s a bit of a surprise heading into the preseason compared to where we projected them a few days ago. But yes, Thomas has to be the stabilizer. He’s a centerman, so he’s involved in zone entries, neutral-zone play, and face-offs. His performance sets the tone for the rest of the lineup.
Amanda: Let’s pivot to a more serious topic. Marcus from Kansas City asks about Matthew Mayich. The headline says he suffered exertional heat stroke that reduced oxygen flow to his brain during an ASU workout. Is there any update on his condition or the investigation?
Paul: This is a heavy topic, Amanda. The brief mentions his family and lawyer are seeking answers, and ASU is investigating the circumstances of that workout. It’s been nearly two weeks since he collapsed. While we don’t have medical specifics beyond the heat stroke diagnosis, the fact that an investigation is underway shows the league and the university are taking this seriously.
Amanda: It’s really concerning. As fans, we can only hope for the best for Matthew and his family. It’s a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on athletes even in offseason training. We’ll continue to follow this story closely.
Paul: Agreed. Moving on to another headline, @BluesFan88 asks about the NHL producing games for the Blues centrally. What does that mean for us as viewers?
Amanda: Good question. The brief states the NHL will produce and distribute games for the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Wild, and Blues. It’s part of the league branching out into centralized production. Essentially, it might mean a unified look and feel across broadcasts, possibly improving consistency in production quality for those teams.
Paul: It’s interesting. For the Blues, it could streamline how we see the team on TV. But ultimately, it’s about getting eyes on the game, especially with that October 3rd opener against Dallas coming up. The stakes are high, regardless of who is holding the camera.
Amanda: Let’s wrap up Segment 1 with a final question from Jen in Chicago. She asks, 'With the roster looking full, who do you think is the dark horse to make the opening night lineup against the Stars?'
Paul: Dark horse... tough call. We’ve talked about the centers like Dillon Dube, Connor McMichael, and Mason McTavish battling it out. On defense, Logan Mailloux is someone to watch. Remember, we predicted earlier this week he’d play 60 games this season. If he’s healthy, he could be that dark horse on the blue line.
Amanda: Mailloux makes sense. He’s young, skilled, and if the coaches want speed on the back end, he fits. Alright, let’s move into Segment 2, where we dive deeper into those roster battles.
Amanda: Our next question comes from David in Springfield. He wants to know about the center ice competition. We have Robert Thomas, obviously, but also Dillon Dube, Jack Finley, Connor McMichael, Mason McTavish, Dylan Peterson, Oskar Sundqvist, and Pius Suter. Who wins the top six spots?
Paul: It’s crowded, David. Robert Thomas is locked in as the number one center. The battle is really for the other five spots. McMichael and McTavish bring size and two-way potential. Dube is a grinder. Sundqvist and Suter offer experience. I think McMichael and McTavish have the edge due to their upside, but Dube could steal a spot with his forechecking energy.
Amanda: I agree on McMichael. He’s got that power forward style that works well in today’s game. But Paul, what about the wingers? We have Pavel Buchnevich, Dylan Holloway, Ross Johnston, Jake Neighbours, Nathan Walker on the left, and Jonatan Berggren, Dalibor Dvorsky, Julien Gauthier, Hugh McGing, Jimmy Snuggerud, Alexey Toropchenko on the right. That’s a lot of bodies.
Paul: It is. Buchnevich is likely the number one winger. Holloway and Johnston provide grit. On the right side, Berggren and Dvorsky seem to have the slight edge based on recent camp performances. Gauthier is a wild card—big body, but can he finish? I think we’ll see a mix of skill and toughness in the bottom six.
Amanda: Let’s talk defense. @HockeyDad99 asks about the pairing of Brandon Carlo, Colton Parayko, Cam Fowler, Philip Broberg, Calle Rosen, and Logan Mailloux. Who starts on the first pair against Dallas?
Paul: Parayko and Carlo are the anchors. They’re your shutdown duo. Fowler brings offensive IQ. Broberg is the young gun. I think the coaching staff will lean on Parayko and Carlo to start the game against a team like Dallas. They need to kill off penalties and manage the neutral zone effectively.
Amanda: And Tyler Tucker? He’s listed on the roster too. Does he have a chance to crack the lineup?
Paul: Tucker is likely competing for a fourth-line defenseman role or playing in the AHL. Unless there’s an injury, the top six are pretty set. But depth is crucial. If someone gets hurt, Tucker needs to be ready to step in.
Amanda: Speaking of injuries, we touched on Mayich, but what about the goalies? Jordan Binnington, Joel Hofer, and Georgi Romanov. Who starts on October 3rd?
Paul: Binnington. No contest. He’s the veteran, the starter. We’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Binnington will start the majority of games over Hofer. Romanov is likely in the system or competing for the third-string spot. But for the opener? It’s Binnington’s job to lose.
Amanda: Right. And if Binnington struggles early, do we expect Hofer to come in quickly? Or will they ride him out?
Paul: They’ll ride him out unless there’s a significant issue. Binnington knows how to win. He’s been here. He’s proven. The coaching staff trusts him. But Hofer is there as a safety valve. He’s young and talented, so he’ll get opportunities, but the #1 job is Binnington’s.
Amanda: Let’s move to Segment 3 for a fun hypothetical and a lightning round. First, Chris from Memphis asks: 'If the Blues could trade one player from the current roster for a proven star, who would you choose to move?'
Paul: Oof. Tough one. You don’t trade Thomas. You don’t trade Parayko. Maybe Cameron Fowler? He’s a good player, but maybe not essential. Or perhaps Ross Johnston if you want pure offense. But realistically, I’d say you don’t trade anyone from this core. This team is built to compete.
Amanda: Fair point. Let’s do a lightning round. Quick questions, quick answers. Question one: Who is the most underrated player on the roster?
Paul: Pavel Buchnevich. Everyone talks about the big names, but Buchnevich provides consistent scoring and leadership. He’s a workhorse.
Amanda: Question two: What’s the biggest concern heading into the season?
Paul: Depth. We have a lot of players, but can they all contribute at the NHL level? The center group is deep, but is it too deep? It might create friction.
Amanda: Question three: Predict the Blues’ record by Christmas.
Paul: I’m going to stick with my earlier prediction. Around .500, fighting for a wild-card spot. It’s a competitive division.
Amanda: Question four: Who is the best penalty killer on the team?
Paul: Brandon Carlo. He’s intelligent, stays in position, and blocks shots. He’s elite in that zone.
Amanda: Final question: What’s your prediction for the outcome of the October 3rd game against Dallas?
Paul: Close game. I’ll take the Blues in overtime. Binnington makes the save, Thomas scores the winner.
Amanda: There you have it! Robert Thomas is the captain, the roster is shaping up, and we’re ready for Dallas. Thanks for joining us on today’s mailbag episode.
Paul: Great questions from all of you. Keep sending them in. We love hearing from the fanbase.
Amanda: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Share it with a fellow Blues fan!
Paul: Stay tuned for more daily breakdowns. We’ll see you tomorrow.
Amanda: Go Blues!