In the middle of August 2024, they gave offer sheets to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, two important future pieces to the Edmonton Oilers’ hope of contention. The Oilers didn’t match, and the Blues got two legitimate young players for the foreseeable future.

We’ll take a look at the 2024-25 season for the Blues, as well as what they’ve done this off-season and how they stack up in 2025-26 in this article

How the season went

In late February, the Blues were seven points out of a playoff spot with four teams to jump. They then proceeded to catch fire, going 18-7-0 over their last 25 games, including a 12-game win streak to finish the season with 96 points.

The Calgary Flames had the same number of points, but thanks to one more regulation win, the Blues had the tiebreaker and slotted in as the eighth seed. Facing the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets, the two teams split the first six games, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7.

After a goal in the final minute of the second period, the Blues held a 3-1 lead going into the third period. With just two minutes before pulling off a massive upset, the Jets cut the lead to within one with less than two minutes left, before Cole Perfetti deflected a shot from the half boards into the back of the net with less than two seconds left.

In the second overtime, the puck hit Adam Lowry, and it went into the back of the net, ending the Blues’ season on the spot. Still, it was a successful season for the young team.

Holloway broke out with increased playing time, as he scored 26 goals and 63 points in 77 games. Unfortunately, he missed the post-season due to an injury. Broberg also had a successful season, scoring eight goals and 29 points in 68 games, with a goal and two points in seven games. In the playoffs, Broberg was on the ice for nine Blues’ goals during five-on-five, while the Blues didn’t allow a five-on-five goal with Broberg on the ice.

Jordan Kyrou led the team with 36 goals, adding another 34 points for 70 points. Robert Thomas led the team with 81 points, scoring 21 goals. Another young talent, Jake Neighbours, scored 22 goals and 46 points in 82 games.

A handful of their veterans had success as well. Pavel Buchnevich scored 20 goals and 57 points and captain Brayden Schenn scored 18 goals and 50 points in 82 games. On defence, Colton Parayko scored 16 goals and 36 points in 64 games, while Cam Fowler scored nine goals and 36 points in 51 games after the Blues traded for him.

Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington played the bulk of the game, posting a .900 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average in 56 games. Backup Joel Hofer had a .904 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average in 31 games.

Drafted players

Thanks to the two offer sheets and numerous trades, the Blues only had three draft picks in the 2025 draft. With the 19th overall pick, they selected Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Justin Carbonneau. The winger scored 46 goals and 89 points last season.

Their two other picks came much later in the draft. With their fifth round pick (147th overall), they selected Russian forward Mikhail Fyodorov. In the next round, they selected Swedish netminder Love Härenstam 179th overall.

Trades

The Blues have made one trade since the start of the off-season. On Jul. 1, the Blues traded Zack Bolduc to the Montréal Canadiens for defenceman Logan Mailloux. Last season, Bolduc scored 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games.

Mailloux, a right-shot defenceman, has played just eight NHL games, but scored 12 goals and 33 points in 63 American Hockey League games in 2024-25.

Free agent signings

To replace Bolduc’s production, the Blues signed forward Pius Suter to a two-year deal worth $4.125 million annually. Last season, the 29-year-old from Switzerland scored a career high 25 goals and 46 points in 81 games with the Vancouver Canucks.

They also added Nick Bjugstad, with the two parties agreeing to a two-year deal worth $1.75 million annually. Last season, the right-shot centre scored just eight goals and 19 points in 66 games, but he managed to score 22 goals and 45 points in 2023-24.

Additionally, the Blues came to terms with Hofer, a restricted free agent, signing him to a two-year deal worth $3.4 million annually.

Departures

Bolduc is one of three notable players to have found a new home. Radek Faksa returned to his old home, the Dallas Stars. Last season, the 31-year-old scored five goals and 15 points in 70 games.

Also departing was defenceman Nick Leddy, who was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks. Last season, the left-shot defenceman scored two goals and five points in 31 games, but is just a year removed from scoring three goals and 28 points.

What the team looks like heading into 2025-26

So, how do the Blues shape up heading into 2025-26? Down the middle, they’ll have Thomas, Schenn, Suter, and Oskar Sundqvist, okay, but not great. They’re much stronger on the wings, featuring Buchnevich, Jimmy Snuggerud, Holloway, Kyrou, and Neighbours. Bjugstad, Alexey Torochenko, and Nathan Walker round out their wing depth.

On the blue line, the left side will feature Fowler, Broberg, and Tyler Tucker, while the right side has Parayko, Justin Faulk, and Mailloux. Between the pipes, the Blues will run the same tandem as last feature, with Binnington starting and Hofer backing up.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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