E156: Which Blues are the biggest X-Factors in 2026-27?

Okay, X-Factors.

I want to start with a bit of a definition so everyone sort of understands what it is we're talking about today.

These are players or personnel that we see as big variables.

So we're not predicting these players to have big seasons necessarily.

But what we're saying is the Blues season as a whole could in some part hinge on what each of these players are able to do, what they're able to accomplish.

So it's kind of... you know, X player could make or break the blues hopes this season.

So obviously they have hopes of returning to the playoffs.

Um, they've sort of gone all in on, uh, on a new young core.

I think they're looking to take a step after last season.

And so which players could play the biggest role in helping them get there or if they fall short, uh, you know, what could that mean for the team as a whole if these players fall short.

So we've each picked out three and we'll sort of go one by one and discuss why they're an X factor, what it could look like if this player performs well, and then what it could look like if the opposite happens.

I think I've got honors to go first here just because it feels like the most obvious one.

Or maybe second most obvious.

It depends on your take.

But I think that a lot hinges this season on...

the recent acquisition, uh, recently acquired, uh, Mason McTavish.

So, you know, I think there's, there's a case for Robert Thomas to, to be the number one, just because he's the best player on the team.

Sure.

Uh, but we also have seen it before with Robert Thomas and it feels like it just needs to line up right with Mason McTavish.

You know, he has the, uh, the prospect pedigree and, you know, former, former third overall pick, of course.

Um, uh, But it just never quite clicked in Anaheim.

And that's why he was available on the trade market.

That's why the Blues went out and acquired him.

Well, that's why they were able to go out and acquire him, I should say.

The reason they acquired him, though, is to... hopefully, have their second line center or at least a solid middle six center and sort of buy a little more stock in the center depth behind Robert Thomas.