MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #13 St. Louis Blues – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

 

Prospect System Ranking – 13th (Last Year - 10th)
GM: Doug Armstrong Hired: July 2010 (Also President of Hockey Operations)
COACH: Jim Montgomery Hired: November 2024

Despite what appeared to be meaningful progress during the 2024–25 season, the St. Louis Blues are now clearly transitioning into a new era. By moving on from established veterans such as Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk, the organization has begun to retool its roster while stockpiling future assets. At the trade deadline, the Blues acquired two additional first-round picks, giving them a total of three in the 2026 NHL Draft. That haul is part of what is expected to be a substantial draft class, with St. Louis currently holding 12 selections in total. It’s quite the contrast compared to their limited three-pick class in 2025. With the team sitting near the bottom of the standings, their own 2026 first-round pick is projected to land near the top of the draft and potentially within the top five.

Those incoming assets will complement a prospect pool already supported by several promising players. While the Blues’ 2025 draft class was small, it produced a notable offensive talent in Justin Carbonneau (38th), who continues to pile up goals in the QMJHL. The 19-year-old co-led the league with 51 goals this season and has scored 97 goals across his last two campaigns. Translation: it’s probably time for him to transition to the professional ranks. In the OHL, the organization’s top-ranked prospect, Adam Jiříček, continues to trend upward. After completing his second full season, the defenseman finished fourth in scoring among OHL blueliners and is expected to play a key role in what could be a deep playoff run for the Brantford Bulldogs. In Springfield, prospects such as Otto Stenberg (63rd) and Theo Lindstein (83rd) continue to track toward their push for NHL opportunities. They join an emerging young core in St. Louis that already includes Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorský, and Logan Mailloux on the back end.

With a growing group of young NHL contributors and a significant influx of draft capital on the way, the Blues may be positioned for a quicker turnaround than expected.

1. Adam Jiricek, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

   What a bounce back year it’s been for Jiricek after a disappointing injury riddled first season in the OHL with Brantford last year. Not only has Jiricek emerged as one of the OHL’s top defenders on one of the OHL’s top teams, but he was outstanding at the World Junior Championships. Jiricek was named the tournament’s top defender and helped Czechia earn a silver medal. He has become a standout at both ends and has really picked up confidence as an offensive defender. Defensively, he can be a suffocating physical presence and who clears the net front and rarely loses a battle below the goal line. He’s also got an active stick and is a terrific shot blocker. Offensively, he has a big point shot and his skating has improved, allowing him to have a positive impact on the transition game. Given the improvements that he has made this year, Jiricek’s projection has changed for the better. As a well-rounded defender with strong physical tools, he could end up being a first pairing, minute eater for the Blues in the near future.

2. Justin Carbonneau, RW, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

   Justin Carbonneau enjoyed a dominant regular season once again, piling up 51 goals and 29 assists for 80 points in 60 games, tied for the lead in the QMJHL—and the entire CHL—in goals. He’s been the driving force behind a Blainville-Boisbriand Armada squad that has battled injuries yet remains among the league’s contenders. While his overall production mirrors last year, he’s become even more of a scorer this season with almost twice as many goals as assists. Carbonneau remains a pure, natural offensive talent. He attacks fiercely off the rush, recovers pucks effectively and supports breakouts with poise and confidence. His quick hands in tight, unmatched escapability and diverse shooting arsenal—whether a curl-and-drag snapshot or a booming one-timer—make him a constant threat in the offensive zone. Dynamic and creative, he manipulates defenders in small spaces and finds teammates through layers. However, his game still features some familiar flaws. He can force plays, drift from optimal positioning at both ends and lose coverage defensively. His skating also still lacks high-end explosiveness. Projection-wise, Carbonneau profiles as a dynamic top six NHL scorer and power-play weapon if he refines his habits and rounds out his two-way game.

3. Otto Stenberg, C, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

   Stenberg’s first full season in North America has gone swimmingly, with Stenberg earning a significant look from the Blues thanks to his strong play with Springfield of the AHL. Stenberg’s high energy approach and high IQ make him a strong two-way player who can provide a lot of versatility to his future coaches. He works hard to earn touches and as he improves his conditioning further, he’s going to be even more successful playing through traffic and getting to the net at the NHL level. He’s not necessarily likely to be a primary play driver; his skill set lends more to being a strong complementary piece, however, he does project as a future middle six piece for the Blues who can play in any situation. Given his strong play for the Blues in a limited look this year, you can probably expect him to earn a permanent roster spot next season when the Blues have a few veteran players coming off the books, or as they enter into a rebuild and clear room via trade.

4. Theo Lindstein, D, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

   A Blues first rounder in 2023, Lindstein is currently playing in his first season in North America after several years in the Brynas program in Sweden. He’s a high IQ, two-way defensive prospect who can make quick decisions with the puck and aid his team’s transition game. His play in the AHL has had its ups and downs and has shown that Lindstein might be a few years from being a potential asset for the Blues. He needs to carve an identity as a player. While he’s an intelligent stick-on-puck defender, he needs to get stronger to win positional battles at the pro level in North America; there needs to be a focus on improving physically. Additionally, his offensive game has never truly improved to the point where you would expect Lindstein to become a prominent point producer from the back end. So that means the key for Lindstein is continuing to improve those physical tools so that he could eventually be a solid and dependable #4-6 defender for the Blues in the future.

5. Juraj Pekarcik, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

   After a breakout season last year with Moncton, that saw Pekarcik capture a QMJHL championship, expectations were sky high for him as he entered his first professional season this year. However, it’s been a bit of a grind for Pekarcik as he has struggled to make a consistent offensive impact. While he’s only been receiving third line ice time, he has been getting regular powerplay time, so a lack of opportunity can’t be blamed as the culprit. Pekarcik is a strong supporting winger who can use his size to win battles down low and get to the net. He excels as a playmaker because of good vision and offensive zone awareness, in addition to being hard to separate from the puck. The key for him is continuing to find consistency in his play away from the puck and physical play to help him develop into a solid two-way menace. Next year should see Pekarcik take a leap offensively at the AHL level, putting him on track to eventually develop into a quality third line winger and powerplay option for the Blues.

6. Dmitri Buchelnikov, LW, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

   Buchelnikov had his breakout season last year playing on one of the worst teams in the KHL, flashing his offensive instincts and scoring abilities. Now playing for CSKA, the production remained as he was producing well before taking a couple months off to recover from a surgery and scoring in his first game back. Buchenlikov's game is centered around his speed and offensive prowess. He pushes the pace, putting pressure on the forecheck and using his speed in transition or to attack loose pucks. In the offensive end, he's a dual threat, with the ability to throw high danger passes to the slot or utilize his strong shot, especially on the man advantage. An intelligent player off the puck in the offensive zone, finding open areas of the ice to attack and put himself in dangerous areas. To find success in North America he must improve on the gritty areas of the game. He struggles under pressure, is ineffective along the boards and is uninvolved defensively. If he comes overseas at the end of his contract, time in the AHL would be beneficial to refine these areas and his path to being a high pace third line scoring option can come to fruition.

7. Lukas Fischer, D, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

   When Fischer was drafted by the Blues in 2024, the second rounder was seen as a major long-term project. He had the physical tools, but he was still learning how to utilize them to be a consistently impactful two-way defender. The question was, what kind of defenseman would Fischer, the son of former Detroit Red Wing Jiri Fischer, be? As he approaches the end of his OHL eligibility, we now have a better idea of that. Splitting the year between Sarnia and the Soo Greyhounds, Fischer has become a standout defensively, using his huge frame to become a physical workhorse. He can still impact the game offensively with his big point shot and galloping strides, however, there’s now a clear path to the NHL for Fischer as a defensive stalwart not unlike his father. Next year, as he enters the pro ranks, it will be interesting to see how Fischer’s offensive game translates. That will give the Blues a better indication of his ultimate upside as an NHL player.

8. Love Härenstam, G, Södertälje SK (Allsvenskan)

   Härenstam, a sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, is proving to be a strong value selection. His season has marked steady progress, particularly with Södertälje SK, where he has posted a 1.81 GAA and .920 save percentage in 32 games while taking on greater responsibility against structured professional competition. He looks increasingly composed under pressure, showing improved puck tracking through traffic and more controlled rebound management, especially in net front scrambles. He also impressed at the WJC, playing a key role in Sweden’s gold medal run. Härenstam handled high-pressure situations well, staying poised and square to shooters, maintaining control in busy defensive situations. Technically, structure remains his foundation. He relies on positioning and reads rather than unnecessary movement, though added strength and explosiveness remain important developmental areas, particularly when dealing with heavy traffic. Long term, Härenstam projects most realistically as an AHL starter or a top goaltender in Europe’s major professional leagues. In a best-case scenario, continued development could open a path toward an NHL backup role, though long-term outcomes for goaltenders remain highly variable.

9. Jack Finley, C, Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

   When the Tampa Bay Lightning put Finley on waivers in early February, making him available to other organizations for free, it presented an opportunity for the Blues that simply made too much sense for them to pass up. St. Louis was already looking to make their NHL roster younger, so why not take a chance on a player who was born and raised in the market while his dad, Jeff, was playing for the team? Jack's role with the Bolts was as a physical, checking-line center at the bottom of the lineup, and that won't change in his new surroundings, at least not immediately. The hope is that he will continue to grow and improve in that role, so that he can eventually take on more difficult assignments and carry a heavier workload. He's no slouch when he has the puck in the offensive zone either, so he might be able to contribute some secondary scoring as well. Finley is signed for two more years at the league's minimum salary, which is terrific value under the salary cap.

10. Colin Ralph, D, Michigan State University (NCAA) (Currently with Springfield Thunderbirds, AHL)

    Ralph has added a level of defensive stability that the Spartans have desperately needed this season. Transferring from St. Cloud State, he has brought his 6-foot-4 frame, his skating speed and mobility to kill plays. Ralph is highly intelligent and mature in the defensive zone, possessing an active stick and a great ability to retrieve the puck to try to flip the ice. He’s been even more effective defending the rush, forcing any and all pressure wide and to the wall. Ralph even has improved his physicality, laying the body with more efficiency this season. He has not taken enormous offensive strides but his puck carrying skills have gotten a lot better. He will likely need one more year at Michigan State before he can be a true contributor to the Blues lineup but he looks like he will eventually get to a place where he is relied upon in some heavy minutes in the NHL. With continued positive development, Ralph could end up being a reliable #4-5 who can anchor a penalty killing unit.

11. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

    A skilled and intelligent playmaker, Kaskimaki needs to carve out an identity to be a permanent fixture on the Blues in the future. He likely needs another year in the AHL to help him find consistency and establish a future role. Best case scenario sees him eventually develop into a middle six player for the Blues.

12. Matvei Korotky, C, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

    As a seventh-round pick there is good reason to be excited about this player, but there are still areas of his game that need to come a long way before he's NHL ready. The skating needs to take a big step, as does his overall involvement and motor. He's not exceptionally skilled so to stick in a bottom six role one day, his intensity, pressure, pace and physicality must develop over the next few years in the KHL.

13. Dylan Peterson, RW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

    When the Blues drafted Peterson, there was never significant thought that he would become a top six player. However, his frame and skating combination, in addition to his physical approach make him an ideal bottom six NHL player.

14. Jakub Stancl, LW, Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

    There was definitely an adjustment period for the first year pro this year, but he’s improved nearly every month in Springfield. The big winger is on track to develop into a middle six piece.

15. Adam Jecho, C, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

    A lack of consistency continues to plague Jecho’s game. He can have a profound impact on the game because of his size and skill, but he still needs a lot of work.