Blues’ Projected Defense Pairings Look Good for the 2026-27 Season

The St. Louis Blues continue to prepare for the 2026-27 season. Earlier this month, I took a look at what the team’s forward lines could look like and gave my preferences. Today, let’s take a look at the projections for the men who patrol the blue line.

First Pairing

Philip Broberg – Logan Mailloux

Philip Broberg continued his success in his second season wearing the Blue Note. He played in 81 games (13 games more than in 2024-25) and recorded 34 points (five more than in 2024-25). He ended the season hot, recording nine points in 14 March games and six points in nine April games.

Logan Mailloux‘s first season with the Blues started rough, but he settled in as the season went on. After the Justin Faulk trade, the Ontario native took on a large role and made the most of the opportunity. After averaging no more than 17:36 through the first five months, he averaged over 21 minutes in the remaining 23 games.

Broberg continues to take the next steps as he develops his game. Furthermore, he does so while maintaining his role on the Blues’ top pair. Mailloux, on the other hand, needs to show that the small sample size we saw last season was the real thing. He does have a great deal of offensive upside, and his progress throughout the season gives hope for his continued development. It is worth the risk to experiment with Mailloux on the top pair early on to see what the youngster can offer alongside Broberg.

Second Pairing

Theo Lindstein – Colton Parayko

Theo Lindstein played in 17 games with the Blues last season. The organization called him up after the deadline to get more youth in the lineup. As someone who profiles as a two-way defenseman, Lindstein showed both in his short stint. His expected goals percentage (xGF%) was just over 57% in his games. His expected goals against percentage (xGA%) was just over 9%. He also blocked 14 shots.

Parayko regressed offensively last season, scoring just four goals after scoring 16 in 2024-25. However, he continued to be a reliable defender. He ranked fourth in the league with 172 blocked shots. However, his Corsi for percentage (CF%) was at just 48.79%. It was not all positive for the Olympian, but it was not all negative either.

This pairing could be an interesting one for the Blues. Both are defensive-minded but have offensive upside. Lindstein’s strong puck-moving abilities could help generate more scoring chances for Parayko, giving him a chance at another 16-plus goal season. Furthermore, the pair could give head coach Jim Montgomery a shutdown duo for crucial situations.

Third Pairing

Cam Fowler – Brandon Carlo

Cam Fowler played in all 82 games last season, scoring four goals. Unfortunately, his first full season in St. Louis was not a good one. His 63 giveaways were the second-worst of his career. The advanced stats also show that opponents created more chances against Fowler than Fowler did against them. He does have a three-year contract that begins this season, so the Blues would like to see a bounce-back.

Brandon Carlo was a plus-4 on a Toronto Maple Leafs team that struggled defensively. The fact that he managed that is a testament to his strong play. As such, his acquisition by the Blues is a smart move for a team looking to compete but also bridge the gap to other youngsters, such as Adam Jiricek. Carlo will not blow anyone away with a highlight-reel goal, but he will play strong defense. Furthermore, if the team reaches the postseason, Carlo has playoff experience, including a series against the Blues in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

This third pair will be interesting to watch. Can Fowler bounce back, and can Carlo maintain his strong defensive presence? Furthermore, should a prospect like Jiricek prove ready for the NHL, either Fowler or Carlo could be at risk of losing their playing time. However, should someone like Mailloux regress immensely, it could open the door for Fowler or Carlo to move up.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot to be excited about with this Blues’ defensive core. Mailloux and Lindstein provide major upside, while questions surround Parayko and Fowler’s defensive performance. Still, the Blues are in a good spot defensively heading into the new season.