Hockey is weird. One week you’re watching a team dismantle a Stanley Cup contender like the Hurricanes, and the next, they’re getting lit up for seven goals by Chicago. That’s basically been the life of a fan following the St. Louis Blues lately. If you’ve been looking at the standings and scratching your head, you aren't alone. Honestly, it’s been a roller coaster that nobody quite bought a ticket for.
As of mid-January 2026, the Blues find themselves sitting with an 18-21-8 record. That's 44 points, good for 7th in a Central Division that feels more like a shark tank than a hockey bracket. But the record doesn't tell the whole story. To understand where this team is going, you have to look at the chaos of the last few weeks—from massive injuries to the "Steen Era" looming on the horizon.
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The Robert Thomas Problem (and Other Medical Woes)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The Blues just placed Robert Thomas on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. He’s the engine. He leads the team with 33 points. When he’s out, the transition game feels... clunky.
He’s not the only one in the trainer's room. Philip Broberg, who just signed a massive six-year extension, is dealing with a concussion after a hit in the Vegas game. Mathieu Joseph is on IR with an elbow issue. Pius Suter has a bum ankle. It’s hard to build chemistry when the lineup looks like a game of musical chairs played in a hospital wing.
Jim Montgomery, who took over and immediately tried to instill a faster, high-octane system, is suddenly playing with a deck that’s missing several face cards. You can see the flashes of what he wants—that 3-0 shutout win against Carolina on January 13 was a masterclass in "simple but effective" hockey—but the consistency just isn't there yet.
Why the Defense is Actually Interesting
For years, the Blues’ identity was "heavy." Big bodies, grinding hits, slow play. Montgomery changed that. The St. Louis Blues now rank 2nd in the entire NHL for total skating distance. They are moving. A lot.
The New Blue Line
The defensive corps is a strange mix of old-school stalwarts and "new-age" puck movers:
- Colton Parayko: Still the minute-munching giant, though he’s simplified his game.
- Cam Fowler: The veteran acquisition who looks like he’s found a second youth in Missouri.
- Logan Mailloux: The kid just signed a one-year extension. He’s got that 94 MPH slap shot that scares goalies and the mobility Montgomery craves.
- Matthew Kessel: Quietly becoming one of the most reliable stay-at-home guys on the roster.
It’s a transition period. They’re giving up too many high-danger chances—ranking 29th in goals against—but the underlying numbers suggest they’re spending more time in the offensive zone than they have in years. They just need to stop the bleeding in their own end.
The Goalie Battle You Didn't Expect
Going into the season, everyone thought Jordan Binnington would be the undisputed workhorse. He’s the 2019 hero. The guy with the attitude. But have you seen Joel Hofer lately?
Hofer just posted his fourth shutout of the season against the Canes. He’s tied for the league lead in shutouts. While Binnington’s stats have wobbled (a 3.53 GAA isn't exactly Vezina material), Hofer has been the steady hand with a 2.81 GAA. It’s not a "controversy" yet, but Montgomery is clearly riding the hot hand. Watching these two push each other is probably the most compelling storyline in St. Louis right now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rebuild
People keep calling this a "rebuild." It’s not. It’s a "re-tool," and there’s a massive difference. Doug Armstrong isn't tearing the studs out of the house; he's just replacing the roof while people are still living in it.
The succession plan is already in place. Alexander Steen is set to take over as GM in 2026. You can feel his influence already—the focus on European scouting, the emphasis on high-IQ players like Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg. Dvorsky, by the way, just netted a goal against Carolina and is looking like the real deal at age 20.
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Surprising Stat Check
- Max Speed: The Blues aren't the fastest team (ranked 16th), but they are among the leaders in "speed bursts" over 20 MPH. They play in spurts.
- Shot Power: Justin Faulk still has the heaviest hammer on the team, clocking a 96.15 MPH blast in December.
- The Power Play: It’s... struggling. 17.07% isn't going to win you many playoff rounds.
The "Alumni" Factor
There was something poetic about that win against Carolina. It happened the night after the team inducted Alexander Steen, Barret Jackman, and Al Arbour into the Blues Hall of Fame. The current roster went to the ceremony. They talked about role models.
The St. Louis Blues have always been a "legacy" franchise. Even when they’re bad, they have this weird gravity that keeps former players around. Glenn Hall, an "Original Blue," recently passed away at 94, and you could feel the weight of that loss throughout the organization. This team plays for more than just the logo; they play for a very specific, very loyal city that doesn't accept "tanking" as a valid strategy.
What’s Next for the Notes?
If you’re betting on the Blues to make a deep run this year, you might want to hold your breath. The injuries to Thomas and Broberg are massive hurdles. However, the development of the "Triple D"—Dvorsky, Danny (Snuggerud), and Dylan (Holloway)—is the real prize.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
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- Watch the "Thomas-less" Stretch: See who steps up into the 1C role. Brayden Schenn is the captain, but he’s 34. Can Dvorsky handle top-six minutes against the league's best?
- Monitor the Trade Deadline: With Fowler and Bjugstad on the roster, Armstrong has assets if he decides to pivot even further toward the youth movement.
- The Hofer Factor: If Hofer continues to lead the league in shutouts, he might be more than just a "backup." He might be the future.
- Special Teams Focus: Keep an eye on the PK. It’s currently hovering around 77%. If they can’t get that above 80%, the record won't improve regardless of how many goals the kids score.
The Blues aren't a finished product. They’re a work in progress that’s currently held together by athletic tape and Joel Hofer’s glove hand. But for a team that was dead last in the league back in early 2019 before winning it all, you can never quite count them out. It’s just how they operate. They make it hard on themselves, and then they make it interesting.