By By Matthew DeFranks St. Louis Post-Dispatch,Matthew Defranks

Copyright stltoday

Read the full transcript of our weekly Blues chat.

Matthew DeFranks: Good afternoon. Blues training camp is about a week old. The regular season starts in two weeks. Let’s get to your questions.

Tylerg: Matty D, we are only a few weeks out my guy; can’t wait to get the season underway! 2 questions: 1. It sure seems like the Blues are impressed by Carbonneau and continue to give him a legitimate look. I know camp is only about a week old, but do you see the Blues giving him his 9 games and then (likely) returning him to the Q? I guess he could theoretically stay up in the show or go to Springfield too, but neither would make a lot of sense based on what it’d mean for burning a year off his entry deal, right? Curious to hear your thoughts. 2. How has Milan Lucic looked so far? I still have no idea where he would fit in on this team, but he’s obviously a name that any fan or casual fan knows and I’m curious. Thanks for keeping us fed with Blues info, cheers!

Matthew DeFranks: On Carbonneau, he’s certainly taken every opportunity that the Blues have presented to him. I think back to development camp and the show he put on there with his competitiveness and skill. Then came a, ahem, wild debut in the prospect tournament vs. Minnesota. And now he’s factored in on both goals the Blues have scored in the preseason.

So he’s shown the best he could have so far, and he’s probably going to get more chances to show what he can do. I think it’s probably still unlikely that he makes the roster just with the numbers game. The question the Blues have to ask themselves is whether nine games of Justin Carbonneau is worth losing Mathieu Joseph or Alexandre Texier on waivers?

As far as the AHL, Carbonneau cannot be assigned to the AHL yet. There’s talk that in the future, teams will be able to designate one teenager from the CHL to play in the AHL, but I don’t think the parties have arrived in agreement for that to be this year.

So his options are the QMJHL or the NHL. A reminder, once he plays 10 NHL games, it uses a year of his entry-level contract. But AHL games don’t count towards that, and that’s why Dalibor Dvorsky’s contract didn’t start last year even though he was playing pro hockey.

With Milan Lucic, it’s an uphill battle for him.

At the start of camp, I listened to his interviews, to Doug Armstrong speaking, to Brayden Schenn and Jim Montgomery. And everything kind of pointed in the direction of “We need a guy like him on our team.” So I think I thought more of his chances at that very moment, but I think much less of them right now.

He’s 37 years old. He hasn’t played in two years. And when he last played, he wasn’t a very impactful player. Add in the current groin injury that kept him off the ice today and we’re looking at a lot of factors that could signal his release from a PTO. Plus, I don’t think he was very noticeable in the scrimmage last week, nor in the game in Columbus.

Sctdog: Any information or comments on Susev, the 7th round pick the blues signed and brought to camp?

Matthew DeFranks: I like the kid. He’s got a lot of confidence with the puck and likes to show off his skills sometimes. He’s really trying to learn English, so much so that I was able to have a conversation with him at development camp. And honestly, that sort of drive is always commendable.

I asked Doug Armstrong about Susuev before camp started, and it was something the Blues kept tabs on. Susuev wanted to be over in North America, and he got out of his KHL contract to do so.

He’s only 20, so there’s still some development to do, and he’ll do that in the AHL this season.

Sctdog: Given age and competitive issues, wouldn’t it make more sense for Schenn to drop down to 3C at this point in his career? Playing 3C plus pp, drops a couple minutes a night off his body while placing him against modestly less competitive players. Suter, not a speedster but a guy who has played top two line minutes at center and is under 30 seems like the successor at some point, maybe this season? Suter also appears more defensively detailed which may help when playing w Kyrou and Holloway.

Matthew DeFranks: Yeah, we’ve talked about it in this space for a little bit of time that Brayden Schenn could be a perfect 3C on a contending team. It’s something the Blues even conceded in their own way last camp when they started Pavel Buchnevich at center to begin the season.

So I agree with the premise, but I don’t think Suter is the guy to take those minutes. I think sometimes, we forget who Brayden Schenn is. Suter just put up a career year at 46 points last year, and that was the type of season from Schenn two years ago that had people thinking he was finished.

I do think there’s not much point to the argument, though, since they will both be playing on the second line at different points of the season. I think they’ll go back and forth a decent amount, and could get similar ice time to each other.

As Jim Montgomery mentioned, the Blues know what Schenn can do between Holloway and Kyrou, and they can always go back to that if they want to.

Hrkac Crkac: There’s no way Milan Lucic makes this team, right? Why are the Blues even messing with this clown?

Matthew DeFranks: I think the Blues were looking for a player that brings what Lucic brings on the ice, a little bit of nastiness or grittiness. And I think we can look at who’s in St. Louis right now as clear connections to Lucic’s past.

Boston’s GM back in 2011? Peter Chiarelli, now in St. Louis. Boston’s coach back in 2011? Claude Julien, now in St. Louis. Lucic’s last coach in Boston? Jim Montgomeyr, now in St. Louis. And then you have Doug Armstrong, who’s been involved in Hockey Canada for a long, long time.

Touched on Lucic earlier, but I thought his battle was going to be tough, and now it’s tougher with his current groin injury.

BryanB: Pending on injuries and missed time for 2026, can Robert Thomas become first 100 point scorer for a season with the make of the 2026 roster?

Matthew DeFranks: I think he can do it. Last year, he was producing at a 95-point pace across a full 82 games, and we know he missed time due to injury. So it’s not like he’s all that far from that threshold, and the first half of the season (basically up to the Winter Classic) was done with a power play that ranked 28th in the NHL.

I usually am not a fan of celebrating round numbers for the sake of them being round numbers, but I feel like 100 points solidifies star status. We know in St. Louis how good Robert Thomas is, but I think it helps build reputation around the league, and can push the team’s ceiling a bit higher because of it.

simpleton: Should we take anything out of Bjugstad being on a line with Carbonneau and Texier instead of 3rd line wing? Is it just tinkering or maybe a message that he needs to step it up?

Matthew DeFranks: I think Nick Bjugstad will end up at right wing during certain parts of training camp, but they just haven’t shifted him there yet. When constructing line combinations, I was thinking about faceoffs. Say the Blues go with Neighbours-Suter-Bjugstad, and Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker.

That leaves a lefty (Suter, or even Schenn) and righty (Bjugstad) to take draws on the third line. And then a lefty (Walker) and a righty (Sundqvist) to take draws on the fourth line.

It’s another way to bring balance to the lineup by having multiple guys taking faceoffs on their strong sides.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Hey Matt, hope you and family are well. See that Joseph might nab that 3rd line winger. He showed me something in his brief cameos in the playoffs, but obviously the coaches saw what was missing. Monty says he added to his detail and defense, etc., he was already fast and a bit tough. Glad to see it. Didn’t Army get him for a third-rounder. If so, he’s probably worth a second at full development, knowing Army. Like when they got Holloway, I wrote his cameos in the finals the previous year blew me away. Every time he touched the ice, he dominated, endangered the opposition, made plays. I guess Army noticed as well. Also, what round was Joseph originally drafted? Went to the first practice, and they have some guys with talent! Oh, my, can’t list all the young guys who impressed me. And vets, too. Lucic looked good on that rush, but he’s hurt now. Will they be able to call up Carboneau this mid-year if they want to? If so, when? S’hanah tova.

Matthew DeFranks: On Joseph, I spoke to him yesterday and should have something on him soonish. but basically, he viewed last year as a transition year. He felt good about his game, but then he got hurt in Montreal and missed some time. When he came back, he was in and out of the lineup, never could really find his footing.

Also, Joseph wasn’t acquired for a third-rounder. He was given to the Blues WITH a third-rounder. So the Blues were given a third just to take him on. He was originally a fourth-round pick in 2015.

Coincidentally, that third-rounder that the Blues got for Joseph was then sent to Pittsburgh in order to re-acquire St. Louis’ own second-rounder, which was then used as compensation to offer sheet Philip Broberg.

If the Blues send Justin Carbonneau back to juniors, he will only be able to rejoin the team when his junior season is over. It’s not a situation where they can recall him at any time once he’s sent back to the QMJHL.

Roy Hobbs 3.0: Okay, I’ve given up. Seems the ship has sailed for my boy Hugh McGing (and for Misters Bitten or Peca). Who’s on-the-cusp T’Bird I can root for, if only to dress out for one-10 NHL games? I need a longshot hero! Maybe Robertsston? Kaskimaki? Peterson? Who’s in line for a delicious cup of coffee in the NHL?

Matthew DeFranks: Roy, I’m sorry. You tried to spread the Gospel of Hugh but to no avail.

I think Dylan Peterson is a good guy to root for. Fun personality, good in the room, plays like he loves car crashes, and can genuinely fit a fourth-line role in the NHL.

Michael Buchinger would be another longshot. He’s probably been passed by the younger d-men in the organization, but he’s an undersized offensive defenseman that hurt his hand beating the crap out of Rutger McGroarty last season. So, if anything, he’s a fun player in the AHL.

Me: What was Holloway’s specific injury, and is he fully recovered?

Matthew DeFranks: I don’t know the medical terminology, but his oblique was pulled off his hip bone. He had surgery and is fully recovered, and back to his speedy self.

Bryan: Which do you think was a bigger factor in Robert Thomas’s performance after the 4 Nations Faceoff last year; chip on his shoulder after being left off the Team Canada roster or further recovery from the ankle injury? Or was it something else?

Matthew DeFranks: It’s a good question. I think it was the recovery from the injury. I think we saw a boost in production immediately after he was left off the team in December, and I know that was a factor to it. But in the spring, I would guess being back to full-strength was a bigger thing. He tried a bunch of different ways to heal his ankle and get back sooner, so I’m sure it wasn’t 100% when he was back on the ice.

Steph: It’s been a long time since we had more good players than positions available. Based on positions and comments made, I guess Jim sees a lot more in Joseph than I ever did.

Matthew DeFranks: When Joseph is on, he’s on. When he’s not, he’s not. Sometimes, it’s that simple. During training camp, including during the first scrimmage of camp, Joseph has been on. We’ll see if he can continue it with consistency.

Hrkac Crkac: Who do you think gets waived before the season? I gotta think Sundquist’s days are numbered.

Matthew DeFranks: These are the players expected to be waived before the season starts: Matt Luff, Hugh McGing, Nikia Alexandrov, Hunter Skinner, Corey Schueneman and Colten Ellis.

The Blues don’t have to waive anyone from the NHL roster unless they were making room for someone like Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Stenberg or Lucic.

In that case, I think the options would be Joseph, Texier and then probably some distance to Sundqvist. I think the Blues respect what he can bring to the team on a nightly basis, and he’s cheaper than both Texier and Joseph.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Like sctdog, very impressed with Susev. Dong! Seventh rough? If he was to be drafted this year, where might a guy like that go? He was good, very good. Also, wanted to shout out Jeff Gordon. Been reading him for years, and he is such a good writer, so perceptive, so clever and creative. Try to never miss him. Look forward to your longevity, too.

Matthew DeFranks: Susuev was taken in the seventh round two years ago. I’m honestly not sure he’s increased his value simply by arriving in North America. A lot of late-rounders have skill, but I’ll hold off on calling him a steal until we see him in some actual North American professional games.

I’m going to miss Gordo. Since I got here three years ago, he’s been a constant source of humor and Blues history, and not always in that order. He’s a good man with some real stature across the last four decades, and we’re all better off for having had his columns to read.

Jay: I know at the end of the year teams can increase the number of players on the roster. What about the start of the season? Who do you think will be the team’s healthy scratches most of the year? Does it make sense to have a $3 million cap hit sitting in the press box?

Matthew DeFranks: So the rule is that after the trade deadline, teams don’t have to abide by the 23-man roster anymore, so long as their roster remains under the salary cap. But that’s only after the trade deadline. There is no provision for the start of the season, there’s still just the 23-man roster teams have to obey.

As it stands now, I think Texier and Joseph still look like the scratches up front with Kessel as an extra on the back end. And sure, it’s not ideal to have Joseph ($2.95M) and Texier ($2.1M) sitting in the press box. But I guess it wouldn’t make sense to have those figures in the AHL, either? Plus only $1.15M would come off the NHL books, meaning each player would still count partially on the NHL cap.

pugger: Your the leader now with Jeff heading into retirement… Lot of responsibility!!! But I’m confident you can take the torch and run with it!!! Jeff will definitely be missed!!

Matthew DeFranks: He leaves big shoes to fill, and a lot of knowledge we’ve lost.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Ha! Love your rehash of the Joseph situation. So ole Army got a third-rounder to take him for a salary dump probably, then used the third rounder to help get Broberg. He’s my executive of the year EVERY YEAR! How much will Army be advising our new GM?

Matthew DeFranks: There was a point last year when I broke down all the Blues trades/offer sheets last summer to see what everything looked like overall.

IN: Philip Broberg, Dylan Holloway, Radek Faksa, Alexandre Texier, Mathieu Joseph, 2026 PIT fifth.

OUT: Kevin Hayes, Paul Fischer, 2025 STL second, 2025 STL third, 2025 STL fourth, 2026 STL second, 2028 STL third

A lot of the deals were intertwined, but it’s a hell of summer of asset management for Armstrong and Co., minus the Texier trade maybe.

Steen and Armstrong work pretty closely as is, and will get another year of that situation. After that, Armstrong will still be Steen’s boss as the president of hockey operations, but it’ll just be a little bit more removed from the day to day. So Armstrong will be available for Steen at any time, really.

pugger: Your early projections for the lines/D pairings, Matt? Sorry if this was asked previously.. thanks!

Matthew DeFranks: Let’s take a shot here based on what we’ve seen at camp

Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud

Holloway-Suter-Kyrou

Neighbours-Schenn-Bjugstad

Toropchenko-Sundqvist-Walker

Extras: Joseph, Texier

Fowler-Parayko

Broberg-Faulk

Tucker-Mailloux

Extra: Kessel

Jay: Read this morning that Gardo has retired. If he reads today’s chat…well done sir! I’ve enjoyed reading his articles and appreciated his insights!

Matthew DeFranks: Bobo has warmed up for the last time.

Jay: Any rules changes this year that the fans will notice?

Matthew DeFranks: There are no changes to the rulebook. There are changes to LTIR and playoff salary cap, but that’s not so much of the on-ice product.

pugger: Sounds like LIndstein needs a full year in the AHL to see what he can do in the north American game. Could he be that dependable #2 D man they will need (hopefully) to replace Faulk?

Matthew DeFranks: I think it could be a process for Lindstein to adjust his game to North America. He’s got skills, and he understands it’ll take time, so that’s good. But his calm, poised game will need some changes with less time to make decisions.

I think Mailloux probably projects closer to that role than Lindstein based on their offensive potentials.

BryanB: Special Teams. Blues PK was low at 74.4 % last year. and PP was mid level 22.1% Evaluate how each of the Special teams can improve statistically especially the PK

Matthew DeFranks: The overall numbers are ugly, but I’d like to think we could break this up into thirds.

Under Drew Bannister: PP 25th, PK 24th

From Montgomery’s hiring until 4 Nations: PP 17th, PK 32nd

From 4 Nations through the end of the season: PP 6th, PK 7th

HallPlante: Who will be new host of your “Net Front Presence” podcast?

simpleton: Speaking of Gordo who’s going to be on the other end of Netfront Presence. I always listen in and use the tidbits to make my friends think I understand hockey.

Matthew DeFranks: We’re working through some of the changes right now, but I think this is a good opportunity to explore some different ways to present the podcast. Whether that means different voices, taking reader questions, or more interview episodes. We’re looking at different things.

pugger: Gordo injected a lot of sly and biting humor to his work. I just read where he called Roger Goddell “An Idiot.” Love it. Need more writers who do that, not take themselves so seriously or what they are writing about.. It’s sports… Let’s have some fun with that…

Matthew DeFranks: Every now and then, we do need the reminder that what we do is fun.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: re: your breakdown. So, a terrific year of Faksa centering a top 4th line, Broberg and Holloway for the future years, for a two seconds and two thirds, and a fourth, but a dump of Hayes and his salary. Just on the Broberg-Holloway, both higher first rounders than the Blues usually get and, as far as Holloway, especially, and Broberg very likely (7th pick), you don’t find those guys in the apple orchard every day. Did Army ever get exec of the year?

Matthew DeFranks: The GM of the Year award has been presented every year since 2010. Doug Armstrong won in 2012. That’s when he hired Ken Hitchcock and the Blues won the division.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Lines: Just what you/we’ve been saying all summer. Seeing him play, I confirmed my suspicion Suter might switch back-and-forth with Schenn. They’re really dumping a lot on Tucker, but man he was outstanding by the end of last year. Only way for him to fulfill himself. Also, Mailloux looked so dang good to me on the ice. Hope he can learn defense quickly, which I think he can. Your thoughts?

Matthew DeFranks: I didn’t think so much about Tyler Tucker until they waived Nick Leddy because he wasn’t going to play over Tucker. So they’re really showing a lot of trust in him. I would imagine that coincides with more responsibility on the PK, since I think he’ll get some softer matchups at 5v5 on the third pair.

Jay: Kiddos to Blues management for streaming all the preseason games. Until last year we never were able to watch any preseason games unlike the Cardinals!

Matthew DeFranks: It is nice. I remember it wasn’t too long ago across the league that preseason games were seen through video recordings from the crowd of jumbotron replays.

Now, it’s like a real, live professional sports league.

Jay: With all our prospects, do you think the Blues management wish they had the two extra preseason games?

Matthew DeFranks: The shortened preseason and longer regular season kicks in next season with an 84-game regular season. But this year, the Blues have six preseason games. My theory is that they would have had more, but Utah is no longer geographically desirable to work with. The Blues and Coyotes used to play frequently.

Matt S.: Good afternoon Matthew! Anyone else making a good case for themselves in camp thus far (not named Carbonneau)? Maybe someone making a case for a call up if injuries arise or for a spot next season? Thanks!

Matthew DeFranks: I think Otto Stenberg has turned some heads with his play both at the prospect tournament and during camp. He’s a do-it-all winger that can play up and down the lineup, which helps fill a role when you’re looking at a recall.

pugger: Indeed.. Sports at it’s best brings people together… that sounds good about now

Matthew DeFranks: As long as it’s not Mizzou-KU, I guess.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Loved Stenberg on ice. If they needed a player, who’d be first call up: Center? Scorer? Two-way? Defensive hitter? Thanks, Matt.

Matthew DeFranks: I suppose it would depend on who they are replacing in the lineup.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: And most critically, I’ve been saying all summer: IF Carboneau makes the team, an “if”, the third line is him-Neighbors-and Schenn/Suter. THAT GIVES THE BLUES THREE SCORING LINES that all can play GOOD DEFENSE! If not, Bjugstadt as third winger or Joseph if maintains his “up” is still a darn good 3 line with either center. I’m telling you, Matt…

Matthew DeFranks: I think the Blues have that chance regardless of who the wing on the third line is. Neighbours scored 22 last year and he’ll be on the third line. Either Schenn (18 goals, 50 points) or Suter (21 goals, 46 points) will be there. So there’s going to be some offensive production there regardless of whether it’s Bjugstad, Joseph, Texier, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, etc. there.

Easy Ed – fan since 1967: Hey, thanks, Matt. A fool can ask more questions than a wise man can answer. Unfortunately, most fools can’t ask any questions. Go Blues!

Matthew DeFranks: As a fool, I concur.

Brian: What makes Utah less geographically desirable for a preseason game than Phoenix? I assume they fly charters, so airline schedules wouldn’t seem to be a factor. SLC is actually closer.

Matthew DeFranks: I guess geographically desirable wasn’t the right phrasing. The Coyotes used to play a ton of neutral-site and road preseason games, in part because of their home arena situation. So that made them a natural partner to play preseason games with in, say, Wichita.

I would guess last year’s game against Utah in Des Moines was a carryover from the Arizona days.

I remember two years ago, the Coyotes played two split-squad games against the Blues, then had games in Cedar Park, Texas, all while their main group was in Australia. It was a wild preseason schedule, but it made them available to other teams to schedule.

HallPlante: Hearing you on “Net Front” podcast, you rattled off names of Blues players who predate your arrival at P-D. I continue to be impressed by how well you’ve immersed yourself in Blues history. Keep up the good work.

Matthew DeFranks: Thank you. I know how important his organization’s history is to the fanbase. Now I’ve just got to figure out who this Plante fellow is …

BryanB: When will the Blues start talking to Holloway and Broberg about long term extentions?

Matthew DeFranks: Doug Armstrong said he’s in no rush to sign those, and that’s been relayed to the players. I think the Blues want to see what the market looks like in the rising cap era, and the players are trying to see if they can put forward another strong season to increase their value.

pugger: I went to UM for undergrad, and KU for my masters.. I can pretty confidently report that the KU fans are fairly nuts… They treat KU hoops like they are the Celtics, and are pretty snobbish. Like Cardinals fans on steroids, that’s the analogy I’d use….Ha

Matthew DeFranks: As a Notre Dame football fan, I know a thing or two about irrational confidence and outsized arrogance about a historical collegiate program.

We’ve reached all the questions in the queue now, so we’ll call it there and I’ll get back to my day job writing articles about the Note. Thanks, and have a good week!