St. Louis Blues Training Camp Notes: Takeaways from Days 1 and 2

The St. Louis Blues have officially opened training camp ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. With 48 players competing for roster spots, including 27 forwards, 15 defensemen, and six goaltenders, there are plenty of storylines to follow.

After the first two days of training camp, several players and line combinations have already stood out. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from Blues training camp.

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When the Blues announced their training camp groups, it provided an early look at what the lineup could look like for opening night against the Dallas Stars on October 2.

The Group 1 lineup featured:

Holloway – Thomas – SnuggerudMcMichael – McTavish – BuchnevichNeighbours – Dvorsky – BerggrenJohnston – Suter – Toropchenko

Broberg – MaillouxLindstein – ParaykoFowler – CarloTucker – Jiricek

The combinations should be interesting to watch throughout the Blues’ brief preseason schedule. It will also be worth monitoring which players remain together when the team begins preparing for opening night.

Head coach Jim Montgomery explained the reasoning behind putting potential opening-night combinations together early when speaking with Lou Korac of NHL.com.

“By the end of our fourth exhibition game, all we have is four games, and we have five practices. The feeling-out process that you used to have in camp is gone. Guys have to be on their toes; they’ve got to be ready, they have to push each other. And we’re trying to put the lines that we think might have a chance to start game one together right away.”

The Blues made two notable additions during the offseason, acquiring Connor McMichael from the Washington Capitals and Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks.

The two forwards are currently skating together alongside Pavel Buchnevich on what could become an important top-six combination for St. Louis.

McMichael enters the season after recording 46 points, including 14 goals, last season. McTavish finished with 41 points and 17 goals, while Buchnevich recorded 48 points and scored 20 goals.

The trio brings a combination of skill, size, and offensive ability. Through the first two days of training camp, McMichael and McTavish have already started working to build chemistry together and with Buchnevich.

If the line continues to develop, it could become one of the more important offensive combinations for the Blues during the 2026-27 season.

Theo Lindstein received his first extended taste of professional hockey last season.

The defenseman appeared in 59 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, recording 14 points on six goals and eight assists. He finished the season with a minus-20 rating and added three assists in nine playoff games.

Lindstein also appeared in 17 games with the Blues, recording four points on two goals and two assists while finishing with a plus-six rating.

Now, Lindstein is getting an opportunity to establish himself as a regular NHL defenseman.

He has been working alongside veteran defenseman Colton Parayko, and Korac noted that Lindstein “never looks overwhelmed at anything” and looks comfortable playing alongside Parayko.

Montgomery also had high praise for Lindstein’s ability to move the puck.

“He might be our best defenseman at moving (the puck) up to the forwards and supporting it right away. As soon as someone’s open, boom, it’s tape-to-tape, and it’s gone.”

Lindstein’s ability to move the puck quickly could become an important part of the Blues’ defensive corps this season.

Jimmy Snuggerud is entering his second full NHL season after making a major impact as a rookie.

Snuggerud recorded 51 points in 70 games last season, scoring 21 goals and adding 30 assists. He also finished with a plus-16 rating, five power-play goals, and five game-winning goals.

His strong rookie campaign earned him a fifth-place finish in Calder Memorial Trophy voting.

With Snuggerud entering the next stage of his career, his contract situation has become an important storyline surrounding the Blues. There has been speculation about whether St. Louis could sign him to an eight-year extension before the new CBA takes effect and reduces the maximum contract length to seven years.

For now, Snuggerud isn’t focused on the speculation.

“It’ll all work itself out,” Snuggerud said.

According to Korac, Snuggerud also made it clear that he wants to remain with the organization that drafted him.

“For sure. I want to be here. I would love to be here for as long as I can. I love this city. I love everything about it. It’s calm; people are really nice. Fans are crazy, and the home games are fun. When I say it’s going to take care of itself, I think I’ll just come to the rink every day and try to do my best as I possibly can. Obviously I would love to be here for as long as possible. I love what we’re doing; the direction has a purpose.”

Snuggerud’s future contract will remain a storyline to watch, but his comments make it clear that his focus is currently on helping the Blues.

The Blues also have a new captain heading into the 2026-27 season.

On September 2, St. Louis named Robert Thomas the 25th captain in franchise history following Brayden Schenn’s departure.

Thomas previously served as an alternate captain beginning in the 2022-23 season. He now takes over as the face of the Blues’ leadership group.

Thomas was also involved in trade speculation around last season’s trade deadline. However, with the captaincy now in his hands, those rumors appear to be a thing of the past for the time being.

The Blues will have four alternate captains this season: Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours, and Dylan Holloway.

Dillon Dube is “a little dinged up,” per Alex Steen. He did participate in select team drills on Thursday. Blues’ Prospect Felix Trudeau didn’t take part on Thursday, but Steen said he “shouldn’t be too long.”

The Blues will get their first opportunity to test these combinations when they open the preseason against the Dallas Stars at Enterprise Center.

St. Louis will face Dallas again on Monday before playing a home-and-home set against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blues will host Chicago on September 24 before traveling to Chicago on September 26.

The preseason will provide Montgomery and his coaching staff with only a handful of games to evaluate the roster before the regular season begins.

The Blues will open the 2026-27 regular season against the Stars on October 2 in Dallas. St. Louis will then play its home opener on October 8 against the San Jose Sharks.

With several new faces, developing prospects, and a new captain, there will be plenty to watch as the Blues continue through training camp and prepare for the start of the 2026-27 season.

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