Blues Place 3 on Waivers, Dean and Dube Set to Make Final Roster

The St. Louis Blues placed Jack Finley, Oskar Sundqvist and Nathan Walker on waivers Friday, according to PuckPedia. The moves appear to clear the way for Zach Dean and Dillon Dube to take the final two forward spots on the opening-night roster. The Blues have been carrying a crowded group upfront throughout training camp, with five players competing for two available positions.

Dean, 23, is looking to make his NHL debut after spending most of his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL). The Blues acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 trade that sent Ivan Barbashev to Vegas. Dean has been competing for a roster spot throughout training camp and preseason.

Dube, 28, also appears to have won one of the spots. He has 325 games of NHL experience with the Calgary Flames, recording 127 points from 2018-19 to 2023-24. Dube joined the Blues organization last season but did not appear in an NHL game.

Finley, 24, played 22 games for St. Louis last season after the Blues claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He recorded two points. Sundqvist returned to St. Louis this offseason on a one-year, two-way contract after recording 17 points in 52 games last season, while Walker is entering the second season of a two-year contract after recording four goals and 11 points in 46 games.

With Finley, Sundqvist and Walker now on waivers, Dean and Dube appear to have won the battle for a place in the lineup. If they clear waivers, Finley, Sundqvist, and Walker can all be assigned to the team’s AHL affiliate, Springfield Thunderbirds. The Blues have until Monday’s roster deadline to finalize their opening-night group.