The St. Louis Blues are evaluating who will serve as their next captain following the trade of Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk at last season’s deadline, according to an April 28 announcement by the organization. The team finished the season without a captain, a position Schenn had held since 2023.
The decision comes as part of a broader shift in leadership within the team. President and General Manager Doug Armstrong said, “We traded leaders and veteran players because we believed we had to have basically a total outlook change. And they weren’t the problem, for sure. But we just felt that it was time now to move forward with a different group, a young core leadership group.” Armstrong added that he will consult with Alexander Steen—who is set to become General Manager this summer—and head coach Jim Montgomery before making any final decisions about naming a new captain.
Armstrong noted there are several possibilities under consideration, including not appointing anyone to wear the ‘C’ on their sweater next season. “I think the League has evolved into more of a leadership by committee,” Armstrong said. “But I’m not dead-set on one path yet. And ultimately I’ll let Alex and Jim make that decision.” The only previous time in franchise history that the Blues played an entire season without a captain was during 1996-97.
During Schenn’s tenure as captain, alternate captains included Faulk, Colton Parayko, and Robert Thomas; after the trade deadline Parayko and Thomas continued in these roles alongside Jake Neighbours. Montgomery addressed how important culture is when choosing leadership: “That’s a culture decision,” Montgomery said. “It’s a long-term vision decision of who’s going to be the right captain to lead the Blues. But I don’t think we necessarily have to have one next year.” NHL rules allow teams either one captain with two alternates or three alternates if no official captain is named.
Montgomery also commented on potential candidates based on their recent performances: Philip Broberg was recognized for his competitive drive in games and practices; Jake Neighbours for stepping up vocally; Colton Parayko for his proactive communication; Robert Thomas for his overall awareness of team dynamics; and Jordan Binnington received an honorable mention despite goalies being ineligible for NHL captaincy roles.
“Ultimately if we’re relying on any one person, we’re probably wrong,” Armstrong said about future leadership direction. “We win as a team, we lose as a team, we grow as a team. And so it’s going to take everybody.”
