Hofer will likely make his season debut for the Blues tonight against the Arizona Coyotes. Heading into the season, many believed that Hofer might give Jordan Binnington a run for the starting position, but Binnington has been lights out, posting a 0.92 GAA and .969 SV% in two games (1-0-1). There is still plenty of time for Hofer to outperform Binnington throughout the season, forfronted with a good opportunity to record his first victory tonight as the Blues are -109 home favourites. Last season, Hofer posted a 3.22 GAA and .905 SV% in six games with the Blues (3-1-1).

Buchnevich has been officially ruled out for the Blues' Thursday night matchup against the Arizona Coyotes. Despite being held without a point or shot in his two games played this season, the talented Russian winger will unquestionably return to the top line and top powerplay unit for the Blues when he is ready to play.

Buchnevich's status for Thursday night remains unlikely but he seems to be progressing towards a return as he recovers from an upper-body injury. In his two games played this season, Buchnevich has been ineffective, being held without a point or shot on goal. He should slot back onto the top line and top powerplay unit when he returns to the lineup.

Binnington allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Blues' overtime loss in Dallas on Thursday. It was an outstanding start to the season for Binnington, who had the worst season of his career in 2022-23. Tonight he'll face the Kraken, who he was 1-1-0 with a 3.49 GAA and .883 SV% against last season.

Binnington allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Blues' overtime loss in Dallas on Thursday. It was an outstanding start to the season for Binnington, who had the worst season of his career in 2022-23. Tonight he'll face the Kraken, who he was 1-1-0 with a 3.49 GAA and .883 SV% against last season.

Binnington is the likely starting goalie in the Blues' season opener against the Dallas Stars. His stats have declined each year since leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup and reached career-worsts in 2022-23, where he posted a 3.31 GAA and .894 SV% in 61 games (27-27-6). Binnington, who has an annual cap hit of $6 million, will presumably receive the lionshare of time in the crease but any mistep could prompt rookie Joel Hofer to get a more thorough look between the pipes. Binnington lost both contests against the Stars last season (0-2-0) despite a strong 2.04 GAA and .930 SV%. That said, the Blues are +186 road underdogs against the Stars.

Binnington is the likely starting goalie in the Blues' season opener against the Dallas Stars. His stats have declined each year since leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup and reached career-worsts in 2022-23, where he posted a 3.31 GAA and .894 SV% in 61 games (27-27-6). Binnington, who has an annual cap hit of $6 million, will presumably receive the lionshare of time in the crease but any mistep could prompt rookie Joel Hofer to get a more thorough look between the pipes. Binnington lost both contests against the Stars last season (0-2-0) despite a strong 2.04 GAA and .930 SV%. That said, the Blues are +186 road underdogs against the Stars.

Faksa took a hard hit along the boards during last Tuesday's preseason game and had to get stitches on his face. He was not in concussion protocol, so there's a good chance that Dallas' fourth-line centre is available for opening night.

Biakabutuka had 17 goals, 25 assist, 53 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 56 games played with Charlottetown (QMJHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract after going undrafted in junior. The 21-year-old defenseman appeared in three AHL games with Grand Rapids after his QMJHL season was cut short, and failed to pick up a point but had two PIMs across his short professional showing.

Toropchenko had 10 goals, nine assists, 86 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 69 games with St. Louis in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, 2.5 million contract extension ($1,250,000 AAV). The 24-year-old towering right-winger was a fourth-round pick in 2017 (113th overall) by St.Louis and has 12 goals, 21 points and 129 SOG through 97 career NHL games.

Dvorsky was St.Louis' 2023 first-round pick (10th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blues. The 18-year-old Slovakian forward had six goals, eight assists, 16 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with AIK of the HockeyAllsvenskan League. He is currently expected to play for IK Oskarshamn of the SHL in 2023-24.

McGing had 17 goals, 22 assists, 66 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 71 games with Springfield (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension ($775,000/$140,000) with St. Louis. The 24-year-old centre was St.Louis 2018 fifth-round pick (138th overall) and has appeared in one NHL games in his career.

Schueneman had an assist, eight SOG and a +1 plus/minus through seven games with Montreal in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract with Colorado worth $775,000. The 27-year-old defenseman has picked up two goals, seven points, eight PIMs and and 38 SOG through 31 career games across the last two seasons with Montreal.

MacEachern failed to make a regular season appearce with Carolina during the regular season in 2022-23 but appeared in eight games in the playoffs, picking up a goal and an assist to go along with six PIMs leading to him signing a two-year contract worth $1.55 million ($775K AAV) with St. Louis. The 29-year-old left-winger returns to St.Louis, where he picked up 11 goals and 19 points through 115 games played with the Blues between 2018 to 2022.

Tucker was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and made his NHL debut in 2023, appearing in 26 games for the Blues. He picked up one goal and three assists (four points). During his time in Springfield (AHL), the 23-year-old defenseman had 21 points (3G / 18A) in 41 games.

Perunovich spent much of his 2022-23 nursing an injury but still collected two goals and 20 points across 22 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). The 24-year-old defenseman was impressive representing the United States as the World Championships, putting up eight points (1G/7A) across 10 games played.

Lööf was a third-round pick (No.88 overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old blueliner had four goals and 12 assists (16 points) in 55 games with Ilves Tampere (Liiga) in 2023.