Rosters are frozen while NHLers participate in the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. The 2025-26 season will resume on Feb. 25, and when it does, it will be business as usual with the March 6 trade deadline just over a week later. Here are three predictions for the St. Louis Blues as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Jordan Kyrou Is Traded
This is a bold prediction. However, David Pagnotta seems to think both sides might be open to a trade. At 27, Jordan Kyrou has averaged 29 goals a season throughout his eight-year career. He would be a great addition for any contending team. Unfortunately, the Blues are still a few seasons away from being a real contender, and there may be a problem with the team’s core.
We know the Blues are committed to selling at the deadline, and the return on a Kyrou trade would certainly help the team’s future. He does control where he ends up, with a full no-trade clause in his deal, but given that he is rumored to be open to a move, that might not be much of an obstacle.
General manager (GM) Doug Armstrong has never been afraid to take a swing at a trade. In what is his last deadline as GM, I expect he’ll try to shake things up: Kyrou goes to a contender, and the Blues bring in a nice return to help their future.
Dylan Holloway Signs a Bridge Deal
After a 26-goal season in 2024-25, Dylan Holloway seemed primed for a long-term extension at some point this season (from “Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg Contract Projections: Market Value, Player Comps and More, The Athletic, 10/13/25). However, injuries have limited him to just eight goals in 34 games. A big payday for the Alberta native is not happening this season. However, I expect him to sign a bridge deal. At 24 years old, Holloway will still be a restricted free agent when his contract expires at the end of this season.
When Holloway is healthy, the Blues know what he is capable of. They will want to continue to evaluate him and see if that 2024-25 season can be replicated consistently. With that in mind, I expect him to sign a two-year bridge contract before the end of this season. This will protect him from an offer sheet without committing a lot of money and term after an uncertain season. If he proves last season’s production was the real deal, the Blues can sign him to a long-term contract. If not, they can move on without having invested too much.
Joel Hofer Scores a Goal
This is a fun one. Goaltender Joel Hofer has come close to scoring into an empty net a few times, and I predict it will happen before the end of the season. He will likely get most of the starts moving forward, especially if Jordan Binnington is traded. Hofer also handles the puck very well. It is only a matter of time before he plays a puck with just enough time to launch it down the ice into an open net.
Related: Oilers Should Trade for Jordan Binnington
The Blues have never had a goaltender score, either by shooting the puck or being credited as the last Blue to touch it before a goal. The franchise is due.
Lost Season Can Still Have Important Moments
The Blues are unlikely to make the playoffs, but the rest of the season will be worth watching. We are seeing the start of a youth movement, watching hopeful future stars like Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky perform. Should a shake-up trade happen, the team could look very different down the stretch. And who doesn’t want to see a goalie goal?
Be sure to continue to check in to The Hockey Writers for more Blues’ content, as well as Olympic content, as the tournament continues in Italy.
