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The Blues' preseason is over, and it wasn't pretty. They went 1-3 and scored 5 goals on 122 shots. The power play went 0-for-18. None of the projected top-six forwards scored. Luke and Nick dig into what's wrong with the offense and whether any of it should worry you before opening night in Dallas. Then the headline: the Adam Jiricek era begins. Jim Montgomery compared the 20-year-old to Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, and he was sent to Springfield anyway. Two days later he was back, after Logan Mailloux got hurt fighting for a teammate in Chicago. We talk about what Jiricek showed in camp, where he fits on the blue line, and whether he should stay up all year. And the name that keeps coming up: Alexander Nikishin. Carolina's 6-foot-3 defenseman asked for a trade, skipped Hurricanes camp, and is reportedly asking for about $9 million a year. With the power play stuck at zero and the blue line banged up, is he the answer for St. Louis? And is he worth that price? 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blues finished last season as the hottest team in hockey and watched the playoffs from home. Luke and Nick break down what's changed. We start with the top line. Thomas, Holloway and Snuggerud put up 92 points in 25 games after the Olympic break, and Montgomery hasn't touched the combination in camp. How high does it go? Then the money line: Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael cost two first-rounders and Jordan Kyrou, and they're skating with Pavel Buchnevich. We get into the third line, which might be the shakiest group on the roster, and a fourth line with a real heavyweight in Ross Johnston — the first time St. Louis has had that look since Ryan Reaves. On the back end: Broberg–Mailloux, Lindstein–Parayko and Fowler–Carlo, plus how this group stops beating itself in the D-zone. The power play was 26th and the penalty kill was 25th, and Monty told us on this show they have to be top 10 combined — so what do Vinny Prospal and Greg Cronin actually change? Plus: is Hofer the No. 1 all the way, what does Binnington have to prove in a walk year, Snuggerud's contract year, and where the Blues land in a Central that runs through Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota. We each make our picks at the end. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jim Montgomery has been a Blue three times: an undrafted rookie in 1993-94, an assistant on Craig Berube's staff, and now the man running the bench. Days before training camp opens, he sat down with Luke and Nick. He explains why Robert Thomas was "the easy choice" to become the 25th captain in franchise history. He takes apart the slow starts that have cost the Blues two seasons in a row, and tells us what camp looks like because of them. He talks about what the new additions of Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael give a second scoring line, how much Dylan Holloway's health decides the season, and which defensive pair he wants together from day one. Plus the one everybody has asked about since last season — what actually happened in Chicago when Hofer took his time getting to the net. 0:00 Welcome, Jim Montgomery1:16 Robert Thomas, the 25th captain in franchise history6:44 A younger roster and a new identity9:41 Why the Blues keep starting slow11:58 The battle for the bottom six14:21 Fourth-line physicality16:32 McTavish, McMichael, and "Mikey and Mac T"18:33 A top-heavy offense20:10 Injuries, and what Dylan Holloway changes22:45 The defense pairs25:00 Special teams, Greg Cronin and Vinny Prospal27:36 Hofer, Binnington, and two top-10 goalies29:53 The Chicago goalie switch, explained33:03 The Central Division35:43 A brutal October start37:16 What he took from Carolina and Vegas40:13 Rapid fire: St. Louis food and golf 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin Shattenkirk played 14 seasons across six NHL organizations, including 425 games in a Blues sweater, good for fifth all-time in scoring among Blues defensemen. He won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in the 2020 bubble. Now he's a Divisional Player Representative for the NHLPA. Luke and Nick talk with Shattenkirk about his playing career: the 2011 trade that brought him to St. Louis, life under Ken Hitchcock, the 2016 Western Conference Final run, and what it felt like watching two former teams win Cups without him. Then the conversation goes somewhere almost nobody covering the Blues beat gets to: inside the NHLPA and the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which takes effect September 16. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Last place on January 3rd. Champions on June 12th. Seven years later we still can't explain it, so we stopped trying and made an episode about it instead. No grades, no cap talk — just Luke and Nick back in the 2019 vault, picking out the moments from the Cup run that still get us. A bar in Philadelphia and a song nobody saw coming. A rookie goalie named Binnington. The streak that turned a dead season into a playoff team. Maroon in double OT. The hand pass. Game 7 in Boston, and what the room you watched it in sounded like. Plus the personal ones — [who you watched with, the moment you finally let yourself believe it]. Whether you were at the parade or you found this team afterward, this one's for you. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify — it takes eleven seconds and it's the biggest thing you can do for a small show. Drop your favorite 2019 moment in the review and we'll read it on the next episode. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex Pietrangelo walked for nothing. Tage Thompson became a 40-goal scorer somewhere else. And we still can't talk about the Bolduc trade without raising our voices. Luke and Nick put ten years of St. Louis Blues front-office decisions on trial — eleven moves, no rankings, no mercy — and then run a live snake draft to decide which FIVE were the worst of the worst. The Cup Amnesty Clause is on the table, but does it apply? 🎙️ Puck Watching is a St. Louis Blues podcast hosted by brothers Luke and Nick, part of The Hockey Podcast Network. New episodes weekly. 👇 FOLLOW US Instagram: https://instagram.com/puckwatchingstl X/Twitter: https://x.com/PuckWatchingSTL ⭐ If this one got a reaction out of you, drop us a rating on Apple or Spotify — it's the single biggest thing that helps new Blues fans find the show. And tell us in the comments: which one is YOUR number one? We'll read the best answers next episode. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three years ago, Doug Armstrong pulled the trigger. Today, we're grading everything that's happened since. Nick and Luke break the Blues rebuild into four acts and debate the effects of each one. Act I — The Sell-Off: The O'Reilly and Tarasenko trades that kicked it all off, and the 2023 draft trio (Dvorsky, Stenberg, Lindstein) built in their wake Act II — The Retool: Three coaches in three years, the Broberg/Holloway offer sheet gamble, the Fowler heist, and the 12-game streak that saved 2025 Act III — The 2026 Deadline: Schenn to the Islanders, Faulk to Detroit, two first-round picks coming back Act IV — The New Core: The Kyrou and McTavish blockbusters that rebuilt the roster overnight 🎙️ New episodes every week — rate & review us on Apple/Spotify, it takes 10 seconds and it's the single biggest thing you can do to help the show grow. 📲 Follow along on IG & X: @puckwatchingstl 🎥 Full episodes + clips on YouTube 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Everybody's arguing about the current roster. We're more interested in who replaces it. Snuggerud and Dvorsky have graduated. So who's next? We go through the Blues' prospect pipeline — Justin Carbonneau after a 51-goal QMJHL year and the jump to pro, Adam Jiricek and his 59 points in Brantford, Tynan Lawrence heading to BU, and the rest of the 2026 class. Then the segment we've been waiting to do: the sleepers. Colin Ralph — 6'4", 230, ELC signed out of Michigan State — is the defenseman this org has been trying to draft for a decade. And Love Härenstam, a 6th-round goalie with a 1.81 GAA in the Allsvenskan, goalie and rookie of the year, 6-0 for World Junior gold. Sound like a Hofer-shaped path to anyone else? Two of these guys matter sooner than the depth chart says. We tell you which two. 🎧 Follow + rate the show — it genuinely helps more Blues fans find us. 📲 @PuckWatchingSTL on X and Instagram | 📺 Full episodes and clips on YouTubePuck Watching - a St. Louis Blues Podcast - YouTube 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The schedule is out, Sunny re-signed, and the Blues just made the most divisive signing of the summer. Nick and Luke circle the 2026-27 dates that matter, break down one more year of Oskar Sundqvist, and don't dodge the Dillon Dube controversy — the case for, the case against, and where they land. New episodes weekly. Rate us 5 stars on Apple/Spotify — it takes 30 seconds and grows the show more than anything else. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blues landed Mason McTavish — but why was Anaheim willing to move on? Mike from DucksNPucks joins us to break down the McTavish trade from the Ducks' side, what St. Louis is getting, and whether Anaheim will regret moving the young center. We also talk Ross Johnston signing with the Blues and the absolute chaos surrounding Leo Carlsson's massive offer sheet from Philadelphia. Was the McTavish trade part of a bigger plan — or has Anaheim created a McProblem of its own? 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blues made major noise at the NHL Draft, and we’re breaking it all down. On this episode of Puck Watching, we recap the Blues’ first-round selections of Tynan Lawrence and Maddox Dagenais, two center prospects who add even more depth down the middle. We also dive into the blockbuster move for Mason McTavish, what the Blues gave up to Anaheim, and whether this is the kind of swing that changes the organization’s future. Plus, we discuss the biggest question coming out of draft weekend: do the Blues now have too many centers? With Lawrence, Dagenais, McTavish, McMichael, Dvorsky, Thomas and others in the mix, could St. Louis use that depth as trade bait? We also touch on the later-round picks, the decision to wait on defensemen, and what this all means heading into free agency. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NHL Draft is finally here, and the Blues hold three first-round picks (11, 15, and 29) in what could be the most important draft weekend of the franchise's recent era. This week on Puck Watching, we break down the latest rumors, debate whether Alex Steen should make a blockbuster move up the board for Ivar Stenberg, and discuss the top prospects who could be targets for St. Louis. Before the draft talk, we react to the shocking trade that sent Brady Tkachuk to Florida, joining brother Matthew on a Panthers team that may have become the NHL's newest superteam. We also discuss the additions of assistant coaches Vinny Prospal and Greg Cronin and what they could bring to Jim Montgomery's staff. Plus, our favorite draft targets, sleeper prospects, trade-up scenarios, and final predictions ahead of a massive week for the Blues. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the second annual Puck Watching Awards! The season is over, the emotions have settled (kind of), and now it’s time to hand out the hardware. We’re breaking down the best, worst, most frustrating, and most unforgettable moments from the St. Louis Blues season. Who takes home Team MVP? Who was the Breakout Player of the Year? Which player had us screaming at our TVs? And who gets the prestigious “You Suck" Award? From breakout stars and biggest disappointments to best games, worst losses, and some completely ridiculous categories, we’re putting the entire season on trial. Grab your tuxedo and your toasted ravioli — it’s award season on Puck Watching. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blues offseason is anything but quiet. We break down the NHL Conference Finals, coaching changes in St. Louis, Springfield's Calder Cup run, IIHF action, and why prospects like Justin Carbonneau, Adam Jiricek, Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein and Love Harenstam have Blues fans excited for the future. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Blues didn’t make the playoffs—but they didn’t go down quietly. After finishing just four points short, we break down a season that was defined by a late surge, a new identity, and a first line that completely took over down the stretch. From Robert Thomas’ breakout late goal scoring push to Jimmy Snuggerud’s electric rookie run, to the emergence of a line that carried the offense, this team showed what it could be—just a little too late. We dive into what really cost them a playoff spot, whether the post-Olympic run was sustainable, and how inconsistency in big moments ultimately sealed their fate. Plus, we look ahead at the NHL Draft Lottery, where the Blues land at 11th overall stuck between contention and opportunity. They certainly did it their way this season. 🎧 Follow Puck Watching so you don't miss a drop. ⭐ Rate us 5 stars on Apple or Spotify. 📲 Instagram @puckwatchingstl · X @PuckWatchingSTL · YouTube /@puckwatchingstl Proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.