The St. Louis Blues emerged from their thrilling seven-game playoff series against Winnipeg with momentum and a clear vision for improvement. Between May and July 2025, General Manager Doug Armstrong orchestrated a series of calculated moves to strengthen the roster while honoring the franchise's heritage with a bold rebranding effort.
Securing the Crease: Hofer Extension
Before free agency even opened, the Blues locked down their goaltending future. On June 28, the organization signed backup goaltender Joel Hofer to a two-year contract extension worth $6.8 million ($3.4 million AAV). The 24-year-old Winnipeg native posted a 16-8-3 record in 31 games during the 2024-25 season with a .904 save percentage and a career-best 2.64 goals-against average.
Armstrong made it clear that Hofer wasn't going anywhere, warning potential suitors before the signing that "you're not going to get him." The extension prevents Hofer from becoming a restricted free agent and potentially receiving offer sheets from other teams. With Jordan Binnington's contract running through 2026-27, this deal provides the Blues with a natural evaluation window to determine their long-term starter.
Over his first two NHL seasons, Hofer's .909 save percentage ranks eighth among all NHL goaltenders with at least 60 games played. The extension positions him to take on a larger workload, especially with Binnington expected to represent Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Draft Day: Quality Over Quantity
The Blues entered the 2025 NHL Draft at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles with just three selections, having traded away multiple picks as compensation for the Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway offer sheets the previous summer. With the 19th overall pick in the first round, St. Louis selected forward Justin Carbonneau from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL.
Carbonneau, an 18-year-old from Levis, Quebec, led his team and ranked second in the QMJHL with 89 points and 46 goals in 62 games. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound right winger earned a spot on the league's First All-Star Team and brings a combination of offensive production, competitive motor, and scoring instincts that align with the Blues' needs. Draft analysts believe Carbonneau has top-six potential, though he'll need to improve his puck control and consistency.
The Blues didn't pick again until the fifth round, selecting Russian forward Mikhail Fyodorov (147th overall). The 5-foot-11 winger posted 43 points in 45 games for Magnitogorsk in Russia's MHL. With the 179th pick in the sixth round, St. Louis added Swedish goaltender Love Harenstam to their prospect pipeline.
The Bolduc-Mailloux Swap
On July 1, just before free agency opened, Armstrong pulled the trigger on a significant one-for-one trade with the Montreal Canadiens. The Blues sent 22-year-old forward Zack Bolduc to Montreal in exchange for 22-year-old defenseman Logan Mailloux.
Bolduc had an impressive rookie season, scoring 19 goals and 36 points in 72 games while ranking first among NHL rookies with a plus-20 rating. He flourished under Jim Montgomery's system after the coaching change, scoring all 19 of his goals after Montgomery's November hiring.
However, with the Blues' depth at forward—including prospects Jimmy Snuggerud and the newly acquired Dylan Holloway—someone had to be the odd man out. The Blues desperately needed help on the right side of their blue line, especially with Torey Krug sidelined and Nick Leddy's future uncertain.
Mailloux, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound right-shot defenseman, dominated at the AHL level with the Laval Rocket. He led their defense with 33 points in 63 games and earned his second consecutive AHL All-Star Game selection. Originally drafted 31st overall in 2021 (the same draft that produced Bolduc at 17th), Mailloux brings offensive upside and physical presence that could make him a Colton Parayko-type player for the future.
Free Agency Additions: Center Depth
Armstrong identified adding a "200-foot offensive player" at center as a top priority entering free agency. On July 1, he signed veteran Nick Bjugstad to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million ($1.75 million AAV). The 33-year-old, 6-foot-5 center provides reliable bottom-six depth and leadership after posting 19 points in 66 games with Utah.
The bigger splash came on July 2 when the Blues landed Pius Suter on a two-year contract worth $8.25 million ($4.125 million AAV). The 29-year-old Swiss center was coming off a career-best season with Vancouver, posting 25 goals and 46 points in 81 games. Suter emerged as one of the most sought-after centers on the free agent market, with projections suggesting he could have commanded a four-year deal at nearly $5 million annually.
Instead, Suter chose St. Louis for the opportunity and fit. He slots in as the third-line center but provides flexibility to move up if needed. Combined with Bjugstad, the Blues transformed their center depth from a weakness into a position of strength alongside Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn.
Notable Departures
The Blues couldn't retain everyone. Fourth-line center Radek Faksa returned to the Dallas Stars on a three-year contract after posting 15 points in 70 games for St. Louis. The 31-year-old provided solid defensive play but became expendable with the Suter and Bjugstad additions.
Veteran defenseman Nick Leddy was placed on waivers on July 2 and claimed by the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year-old had one year remaining on his contract but managed just five points in 31 games. The Blues attempted to trade Leddy but couldn't find a partner before resorting to waivers.
Forty-year-old defenseman Ryan Suter remains an unrestricted free agent after posting 15 points in 82 games. While he provided veteran presence, the Blues appear ready to move forward with younger options on defense.
A Classic New Look
On June 24, the Blues unveiled a stunning rebranding that honors their storied past while looking toward the future. The organization revealed new home and away uniforms along with an updated version of their iconic Blue Note logo.
The new primary logo features a simplified two-color design, removing the white and dark blue elements used since 1999. The Blue Note now displays thicker keylines in vibrant blue and yellow with a slightly reshaped form designed to perform better on digital platforms and merchandise.
The jerseys draw heavy inspiration from the team's beloved Winter Classic appearances in 2017 and 2022, themselves throwbacks to the Blues' original 1967 look. The away jersey features traditional white instead of the cream color worn in previous Winter Classics. Both jerseys include one-color numbers for improved legibility and a new interlocking "STL" logo on the pants.
"The heritage jersey reflects the rich, compelling history of the St. Louis Blues, and it is one of the most classic jerseys in the National Hockey League," said Blues Chairman Tom Stillman. "The response of Blues fans to this jersey has been overwhelming, and we are pleased to share the updated versions with our supporters everywhere."
The Blues are officially returning to their original royal blue and yellow color palette, abandoning the navy blue that had served as the primary color since 1984. This marks the franchise's first major rebrand since 1998. The current royal blue jersey will remain in rotation as the official third jersey.
Armstrong's Final Act
This offseason carries additional significance as Doug Armstrong's last as general manager. The architect of the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup championship will transition to President of Hockey Operations after the 2025-26 season, with Alexander Steen taking over as GM.
Armstrong, the longest-tenured GM in the NHL, orchestrated these moves with characteristic aggression and vision. His willingness to trade a promising young forward like Bolduc for defensive help, combined with his ability to land quality free agents at reasonable prices, demonstrates why he's remained one of hockey's most respected executives.
"Last year, I thought we might surprise some teams—we might be a little bit better," Armstrong said. "I liked where we finished last year. I like where we're headed, with the caveat, though, that the Central Division is better than it was last year at this time. I think we're a little deeper, and we have some positive experience to go off of."
Setting the Stage
As September approaches and training camp looms, the Blues have retooled rather than rebuilt. They added center depth, addressed their defensive needs, secured their goaltending future, and embraced their heritage with a bold new visual identity.
With Jim Montgomery entering his first full season behind the bench, a deeper roster, and the momentum from last season's remarkable late-season surge, the Blues positioned themselves to compete in the brutally competitive Central Division. The pieces are in place—now comes the execution.