The St. Louis Blues have had a busy week as they navigate the final stages of their preseason, culminating in a mix of promising performances and tough roster decisions.
Roster Moves and Young Talent
The Blues made significant roster cuts this week, trimming their training camp roster by 20 players. Notably, they assigned their last two first-round picks—Justin Carbonneau and Adam Jiricek—to their respective junior teams. Carbonneau, selected 19th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, showcased his potential in the preseason but ultimately heads back to junior hockey to further his development. This decision reflects the Blues' strategy of allowing their young talents to gain more experience before making an NHL impact.
Preseason Game Analysis
On the ice, the Blues secured their first preseason victory with a dominant 7-1 win against the Ottawa Senators. This victory came after a slow start to the preseason, where they struggled to find their rhythm, recording a 0-3-1 record prior to the game against Ottawa. Key players like Jordan Kyrou shone brightly; Kyrou not only returned to the ice after missing the first few games but also contributed significantly to the team’s offensive efforts. Meanwhile, new addition Pius Suter made his presence felt with an assist.
However, the Blues also faced setbacks, suffering a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars in their prior matchup. Despite the loss, Joel Hofer's performance in goal stood out, as he played the entire game, making 25 saves. His consistent play has been a highlight for the Blues as they aim to solidify their goaltending situation.
Emerging Players
Among the emerging talents, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki has been a standout, showing tenacity and skill on the ice. The 2022 third-round pick demonstrated his potential as a reliable forward, earning positive remarks from coaches for his work ethic. As the Blues continue to evaluate their roster, players like Kaskimaki may be critical in shaping the team’s future.
The coming days will be crucial for the Blues as they finalize their roster ahead of the regular season. Fans will be eager to see how the integration of new players and the development of young prospects will impact the team's performance moving forward.
TL;DR
- The St. Louis Blues trimmed their training camp roster, sending top picks Justin Carbonneau and Adam Jiricek back to junior hockey.
- The team secured their first preseason win, defeating the Ottawa Senators 7-1, with strong contributions from Jordan Kyrou and Pius Suter.
- Joel Hofer impressed in goal, playing the full game against the Dallas Stars despite the team's 5-3 loss.
- Aleksanteri Kaskimaki emerged as a notable young talent, showcasing his skills and work ethic in recent games.