Three Defensemen Down Before October

Tucker's knee, Carlo's uncertain return, Mayich still hospitalized — St. Louis has absorbed three defensive casualties in roughly nine days, and the blue line that was already the team's most pressing problem entering 2026-27 is now visibly thinner than it was when camp opened. Coach Jim Montgomery confirmed Tuesday that Tucker's knee won't be a quick turnaround; re-evaluation in a few days is the timeline, which in practice means he's out at minimum through the early part of the schedule.

Carlo was brought in specifically to provide the size and experience this group lacked. He hasn't played yet. Mayich's situation is something else entirely — a prospect whose long-term health remains uncertain after collapsing in August, well beyond a hockey conversation at this point. What's left on the back end is Cam Fowler, who finished last season at -20 and has spent the preseason insisting he has more to give, alongside Philip Broberg and whatever depth the organization can piece together from Lindstein and Mailloux.

The offseason was built around the forwards — McMichael locked up long-term, McTavish acquired, the Kyrou trade executed to fund it all. That work may yet pay off. But the defensive situation the Blues walked into September with was already fragile, and it has gotten worse on three separate occasions since. The season opener against Dallas went 1-2. There's not a lot of margin for this to keep happening.