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.
Suter had 14 goals, 10 assists, six PIMs, 106 SOG, and a -3 plus/minus in 79 games played with Detroit in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract ($1,600,000 AAV). The 27-year-old undrafted Swiss center came over to the NHL in 2020-21 and has 43 goals, 87 points, and 384 SOG in 216 career games across three seasons. He should provide much needed depth up the middle for the Canucks.
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.
Bjugstad had 23 points (13G / 10A) in 59 games with Arizona last season before being traded to the Oilers at the deadline, where he added another six points (4G / 2A) in 19 games. The 6-6, 209 lbs. centre provides some stability and a veteran presence in the Coyotes middle-6, but has not had more than 29 points in a season since 2018.
Luff spent most of the 2023 season in the AHL, but had four points (2G / 2A) and 22 hits in 19 games with the Red Wings. Luff will be a bubble player heading into the 2024 and could start the season back in Grand Rapids, where he had 25 points (8G / 17A) in 28 games last season.
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.
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.
Sundqvist has been out since April 6th due to a lower-body injury but will make his Minnesota Wild playoff debut Wednesday. The 29-year-old finished his 2022-23 regular season with 10 goals, 18 assists, 69 SOG, 28 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 67 games between Minnesota and Detroit.
Zherenko, unfortunately, did not get to see any NHL action during his callup to the Blues and has been reassigned to Springfield (AHL) Friday for their playoff push. The 22-year-old returns to Springfield, where he was 10-8-3 with a .918 SV% and 2.96 GAA as the backup for the Thunderbirds.
Tucker had a goal, three assists, 21 SOG, 31 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 26 games this season with St. Louis but has been reassigned to Springfield (AHL) for their playoff push. The 23-year-old returns to Springfield, where he had three goals, 18 assists, 77 PIMs and a +18 plus/minus through 39 games prior to his call-up.
Hofer allowed five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%) for the worst start of his career in his previous time between the pipes as he took the no decision to Los Angeles after being pulled after 15:50 TOI. The 22-year-old was incredibly solid in his previous short showing with St. Louis, picking up a 3-0-1 record, 2.79 GAA and .915 SV%. He will take on the Dallas Stars, who have won four-straight games and are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.44).
McGing had 15 goals, 20 assists, 64 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 68 games this season with Springfield (AHL) and was recalled to St. Louis for the first time in his NHL career Tuesday and will make his NHL debut Wednesday vs. Dallas. The 24-year-old is the Blues' 2018 fifth-round pick (138th overall).
