St Louis Blues News

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

With Tyler Tucker (lower body) and Logan Mailloux (right hand) sidelined indefinity, the Blues will expedite their timeline for prospect Adam Jiricek. The 20-year-old Czech defenseman, Jiricek, was drafted 16th overall by the Blues in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He spent last season in the OHL, where he tallied 59 points (19G / 40A) in 55 games for the Brantford Bulldogs.

Jordan Binnington led the Blues to their first Stanley Cup in the 2018-19 season, but he has struggled to perform at a consistently high level. Last season, the Blues gave an increased workload to Joel Hofer, who eventually outplayed Binnington in the latter half of the season and earned more playing time. The 26-year-old Hofer posted a solid 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, and six shutouts in 46 appearances (24-13-5). The Blues are making a statement in their 2026-27 season opener, turning to Hofer and giving him a chance to make the crease his. The Blues enter Friday's contest as +161 road underdogs against the Dallas Stars.

Tucker played his first full NHL season in 2025-26, scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 69 games, and hopes his role will grow in 2026-27. That said, the 26-year-old defenseman suffered a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for a week and will derail the start of his 2026-27 season. He is expected to be re-evaluated shortly.

Mailloux exited Saturday's preseason game after a fight with Chicago Blackhawks forward Cole Smith and did not return. He has since undergone surgery to address the injury and will likely miss at least eight weeks. It's an unfortunate blow for Mailloux, who began looking more comfortable toward the end of his rookie season in 2025-26 and was in line to take a step forward with the Blues in 2026-27.

Tucker played his first full NHL season in 2025-26, scoring 17 points (3G / 14A) in 69 games, and hopes his role will grow in 2026-27. That said, the 26-year-old defenseman suffered a lower-body injury that will sideline him, at least temporarily, for a portion of training camp.

Barron was drafted 25th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. While he hasn't lived up to his first-round billing, Barron has become a serviceable bottom-pair defenseman in the NHL. The 24-year-old scored nine points (0G / 9A) in a career-high 52 games last season with the Nashville Predators.