The St. Louis Blues took a balanced approach to the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, blending immediate roster reinforcement with a deep infusion of young talent over the weekend.
On Saturday, the club acquired veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs while making seven selections across rounds 2-7. Combined with their two first-round picks on Friday night — forward Tynan Lawrence at No. 11 and forward Maddox Dagenais at No. 16 — and the earlier acquisition of forward Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks, the Blues walked away with nine new players to bolster their prospect pipeline.
The addition of Carlo, a proven shutdown defender with size and experience, addresses a key area for a Blues blue line that has sought greater consistency and physicality in recent seasons. While specific trade details were not immediately released, landing the reliable right-shot defenseman provides General Manager Doug Armstrong with another building block as the club looks to contend in the Central Division.
The Blues got busy on the second day, beginning with defenseman Luke Schairer at No. 75 overall. The 18-year-old from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been a standout with the U.S. National Team Development Program. In the 2025-26 season, Schairer recorded 31 points (2 goals, 29 assists) and 97 penalty minutes in 88 games across the U17, U18, and USHL levels. At 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, he also contributed four assists in five games for Team USA at the 2026 U18 World Championship. His combination of size, offensive instincts from the back end, and international experience makes him an intriguing long-term project.
Next, at No. 107, St. Louis selected defenseman Landon Nycz. The Detroit, Michigan native spent his freshman season at the University of Massachusetts, posting three points (1G, 2A) in 35 games. Prior to college, the 6-foot-2, 201-pound blueliner logged 40 points (9G, 31A) and 41 PIM in 108 USHL regular-season games with Waterloo and Sioux City. Nycz brings a solid two-way foundation and physical presence that should translate well as he continues his development.
In net, the Blues added Russian goaltender Vladimir Proskurin at No. 123. The 6-foot-1, 170-pounder appeared in 41 games for MHK Atlant Mytishchi in the MHL last season, going 14-21-1 with a 2.97 GAA, .921 save percentage, and two shutouts. He showed even stronger promise the prior year with Atlant’s U18 squad (11-1-0, 2.26 GAA). Proskurin gives the organization another high-upside option in goal as they evaluate the future of the position.
Continuing to fortify the defense, St. Louis picked Nicholas Bogas at No. 139. The 17-year-old from Royal Oak, Michigan, spent last season with the USNTDP, totaling four points (2G, 2A) and 32 PIM in 37 games with the U18 team, plus two assists and 18 PIM in 17 USHL contests. The 6-foot, 187-pound right-shot defenseman also represented the U.S. at the 2026 U18 Worlds (1G, 6 PIM in five games) and helped capture gold at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Bogas projects as a competitive, hard-nosed contributor.
On the forward front, the Blues selected Carter Stevens at No. 150. The Ottawa, Ontario product put up 36 points (20G, 16A) in 53 regular-season games for the OHL’s Guelph Storm last season, adding a goal in four playoff appearances. In his first full OHL campaign (2024-25), the 6-foot-2, 194-pound winger recorded 26 points (13G, 13A) in 66 games. Stevens brings goal-scoring touch and size to the group.
At No. 171, St. Louis took Swiss forward Lars Steiner, who enjoyed a breakout campaign as an assistant captain with the QMJHL’s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound Davos native ranked third on the team with 55 points (30G, 25A) in 44 regular-season games and added nine points (5G, 4A) in 17 postseason contests. Internationally, he posted four points (1G, 3A) in five games at the 2026 U20 World Championship and was named one of his team’s top three players. Steiner also earned CHL All-Rookie Team honors the previous season after putting up 60 points in 57 games. His scoring ability and leadership qualities stand out.
Finally, at No. 203, the Blues selected forward Colin Fitzgerald from the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. The Peterborough, Ontario native recorded 20 points (9G, 11A) in 39 games last season and has accumulated 61 points (27G, 34A) and 109 PIM over 111 career OHL regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 212-pound power forward also helped Canada earn bronze at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Fitzgerald’s combination of size, physicality, and production gives the Blues another rugged option for their prospect pool.
With the addition of McTavish up front and Carlo on defense, plus a promising class of nine draftees headlined by Lawrence and Dagenais, the Blues have injected both immediate help and future depth into the organization. Armstrong and his staff appear focused on building a more complete, competitive roster capable of pushing for playoff success in the years ahead.
