ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues are facing a challenging offseason as they reflect on their recent playoff exit and the uncertain futures of key players, particularly forward Dylan Holloway and veteran defenseman Torey Krug. General manager Doug Armstrong held an end-of-season news conference on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, where he provided updates on the two players following the Blues' first-round loss to the Winnipeg Jets in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Dylan Holloway, 23, recently underwent surgery for an undisclosed injury but is expected to be ready to play at the start of the 2025-26 season. Holloway last took the ice on April 3, 2025, during a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he sustained an injury after being hit by Rutger McGroarty. Unfortunately, this injury sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and all seven playoff games.
Holloway, who was the 14th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, spent the past two seasons in Edmonton before signing a two-year, $4.58 million contract with the Blues as a restricted free agent ahead of the 2024-25 season. During his time with St. Louis, he proved to be a valuable asset, finishing second on the team in goals with 26 and third in points with 63, having accumulated 37 assists in 77 games.
"He’s a young player who has shown his potential, and we’re hopeful that he can return to form next season," Armstrong commented on Holloway’s surgery and recovery timeline.
In stark contrast, the outlook for Torey Krug is far less optimistic. The 34-year-old defenseman missed the entire 2024-25 season after undergoing surgery last September to address pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. Armstrong revealed that he does not expect Krug to play again, stating, "I’m not expecting him to play again. Now, he’s hoping that I’m wrong, I’m hoping that I’m wrong and he’s pushing, but the surgery that he had, it was very, very invasive."
Krug’s injury is a cumulative result of a bone fracture he sustained earlier in his career. Initially, he attempted to rehabilitate the injury through nonsurgical means, but it became evident that a major procedure was necessary. The Blues had announced on July 16, 2024, that Krug would be reevaluated in 6-8 weeks after his surgery. However, the prognosis has not improved since then.
"I don’t really think there’s much uncertainty with Torey. I talked to him, he was at the rink the other day. He’s just getting almost normal, day-to-day living with his ankle," Armstrong added, acknowledging the severity of Krug's situation.
Krug, who has played 13 seasons in the NHL, has amassed 483 points (89 goals, 394 assists) in 778 career games. He began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Boston Bruins, where he played nine seasons before signing a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with the Blues on October 9, 2020. Krug was part of the Bruins team that reached the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately fell to the Blues in a seven-game series.
Reflecting on his career and the potential end of it, Krug expressed emotional sentiments in September, saying, "Thirty-three years old and when you miss a whole year of hockey, obviously those things cross your mind. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but those are things you definitely think about." He emphasized the importance of being a role model for his children and the difficulty of coping with the situation both mentally and physically.
During the 2023-24 season, Krug played 77 games, recording four goals and 39 points. Despite his contributions, the Blues’ season ended in disappointment as they were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs after losing in double overtime to the Jets in Game 7 on May 4, 2025. This marks a significant moment for the franchise, as they will need to regroup and reassess their roster heading into the next season.
As the Blues look to the future, the statuses of Holloway and Krug will be pivotal in shaping the team's strategy and roster decisions. The organization remains hopeful that Holloway can bounce back and contribute significantly, while Krug's uncertain future leaves a void that the team may need to address in the offseason.
The Blues' management is now tasked with not only evaluating player performances but also considering potential trades and acquisitions to bolster their lineup as they aim for a deeper playoff run next season. The upcoming months will be crucial for the franchise as they navigate these challenges and seek to return to competitive form.
