5 St. Louis Blues Prospects To Watch at the Rookie Showcase vs Blackhawks – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues will get their first real look at several of their top prospects in game action when they travel to Chicago for a two-game rookie showcase against the Blackhawks. The teams will meet Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. and again Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at USG Arena inside the Blackhawks Ice Center.

The Blues will hold practices Sept. 12 and 13 at Centene Community Ice Center before heading to Chicago, with the main training camp opening Sept. 17.

The showcase gives several young players a chance to make an impression before the organization turns its attention toward training camp. While the Blues have plenty of recognizable names on the roster, these are the five prospects I will be watching closely based on where they are in their development and how close they could be to making an impact at the NHL level.

5. Lukas Fischer

Lukas Fischer had a productive season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and enters the showcase with a chance to continue building momentum toward his professional career.

The 2024 second-round pick recorded eight goals and 36 assists for 44 points in 65 games between the Sarnia Sting and Soo Greyhounds. His 44 points ranked 15th among OHL defensemen, while his 36 assists were tied for 11th.

What makes Fischer particularly interesting is the combination of size and offensive ability he brings from the blue line. He has developed into a reliable two-way defenseman who can move the puck and contribute offensively without sacrificing his responsibilities in his own zone.

Fischer has already had a brief introduction to the American Hockey League (AHL), appearing in three games during the 2024-25 season, but this will be a much bigger opportunity to show how his game has developed since then. With the Blues looking for young defensemen who can eventually move into larger roles, Fischer has plenty to prove in Chicago.

4. Felix Trudeau

Felix Trudeau is an interesting player to watch because he enters the showcase after putting together one of the best seasons of his college career.

The 23-year-old forward scored 25 goals and recorded 48 points in 39 games for Sacred Heart last season, ranking second nationally in goals and leading the country with 12 power-play goals. He was named the Atlantic Hockey America Player of the Year and earned First All-Star Team honors before becoming a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist.

Trudeau also got a brief taste of professional hockey after signing with the Blues in March. He appeared in eight AHL games with the Springfield Thunderbirds and recorded one goal and one assist. That small sample is what makes the rookie showcase important for him.

Trudeau has already shown he can produce against college competition, but now he needs to continue adjusting to the pace and physicality of professional hockey. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he has the size to handle that transition, and his scoring ability makes him one of the more intriguing forwards on the roster.

3. Colin Ralph

Colin Ralph is probably one of the less-flashy names on this list, but his game could translate well to professional hockey.

The 2024 second-round pick spent last season at Michigan State, where he recorded one goal and 10 assists in 37 games while helping the Spartans win the Big Ten regular-season championship. He also represented the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship, helping the Americans win a gold medal.

Ralph also finished his college season as one of Michigan State’s better defensive players, using his reach and positioning to make plays in his own zone. He signed his entry-level contract in April and reported to Springfield, so the rookie showcase is another step in his transition to the professional game.

2. Justin Carbonneau

Justin Carbonneau is coming off an outstanding final season in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), making him one of the most important prospects to watch in Chicago. The 2025 first-round pick scored 51 goals and recorded 80 points in 60 games with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

His 51 goals tied for the QMJHL lead and earned him the Mario Lemieux Trophy as the league’s top goal scorer. He followed that up with 20 points in 17 playoff games before joining Springfield for three Calder Cup playoff games.

Carbonneau has proven he can score at the junior level, but the next part of his development will be about translating that offense against bigger and faster competition. He has a strong shot, good hands, and the ability to create scoring chances off the rush, but professional hockey will challenge him in different ways.

The rookie showcase should give the Blues a better look at how he handles those adjustments. If Carbonneau can consistently create offense while staying engaged away from the puck, he could quickly establish himself as one of the organization’s most NHL-ready young forwards.

1. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki is the prospect I will be watching most closely because he is arguably the closest of the five to becoming a regular NHL player. Unlike several of the younger players on this list, Kaskimaki already has significant professional experience.

He spent the majority of last season with Springfield, recording 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 64 AHL games to finish second teamwide in both goals and points.

Kaskimaki has also already seen NHL action. He was recalled by the Blues last season and appeared in five games before returning to Springfield. That experience gives him an advantage over most of the prospects at this showcase because he already knows what the NHL pace feels like. The next step is proving he can consistently bring the same game that made him productive in the AHL.

The 22-year-old forward has good skating ability, can play both center and wing, and has continued to develop his offensive game while gaining experience against professional competition. He may not be guaranteed a roster spot when training camp begins, but of these five, Kaskimaki feels closest to forcing his way into the conversation. A strong showing in Chicago could be another step toward an NHL roster spot.

The rookie showcase is only two games, so it will not determine who makes the Blues this season. It will, however, give the organization a useful look at where some of its young players stand heading into training camp. For all the prospects competing, there is plenty to gain before the real competition begins.