The Blues have openings on defense, which their younger defensemen in the system hope to seize hold of

The St. Louis Blues roster appears to be set. After a quiet July 1, Doug Armstrong got to work on improving his roster to give his team the best chance of getting back into the dance and avoid a third consecutive lost season.

Most of the roster changes for St. Louis have come to improving the third and fourth lines, while the defense core remains mostly unchanged. It seems that management is open to a competition during training camp for the final two spots on defense.

Armstrong chose not to buy out one of his 30-year-old defensemen — Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, and Nick Leddy.

Torey Krug would have been the blueliner most likely in play after he was in the running for the green jacket this past year with a minus-31 rating, and given the fact that he rejected a trade a few years ago, which had him going to Philadelphia.

Alas, Krug remains with the team, and you can bet he is ready for a redemption year.

Parayko, Faulk, Krug, and Leddy will play over 20 minutes and carry the workload on the Blues’ defense core, just like they did last year. But, that means there are two open spots on the blueline in St. Louis, and four defensemen will aim to seize control of a full-time NHL spot in 2024-25.

Scott Perunovich

Scott Perunovich signed a one-year contract extension worth $1.15 million, which feels like a “Prove it” deal. The Minnesota native turns 26 next month and is coming off his first full-time NHL campaign. He laced up in 54 games and recorded 17 assists, showcasing that he can also quarterback a powerplay at the NHL level.

Perunovich brings a unique skill set that the other defensemen he will be dueling it out with simply don’t have. Although his size isn’t ideal for a defender, he’s another version of Torey Krug.

He’s an elegant skater and moves the puck efficiently in transition. He activates and makes play off the blueline in the offensive zone. And he’s a competitive defender.

Matthew Kessel

Matthew Kessel broke into the league last year and looks to be a promising find by the Blues’ scouting staff in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

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Kessel, 24, split the season between Springfield in the AHL and St. Louis. He played 39 games and tallied seven points while averaging 15 to 17 minutes a night. Unlike Peronuvich, he’s a big body and provides a defense presence, which would complement playing alongside a more offensive-minded partner like Torey Krug.

If the team wants size and a shutdown defenseman in the lineup, Kessel’s their guy.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph

Pierre-Olivier Joseph is the new guy on the block but brings the most experience. Most would have him slotted in on the team’s third defense pair right now.

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Joseph, 25, has spent the last two years playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had a slight coming out year in 2022-23 when he registered 21 points in 75 games and was a plus-8. However, injuries at the start of the season in November had him get off on the wrong foot this past year.

At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Joseph is a jack-of-all-trades who lacks a standout skill that sets him apart. His biggest asset is his skating combined with his reach to nullify attacks off the rush and keep plays to the outside.

Tyler Tucker

Tyler Tucker would be considered a long shot to make the Blues roster out of training camp considering the three names in front of him. But never count out a seventh-rounder who continues to prove his worth at the pro level.

Tucker, 24, brings that mean physical presence that is adored by the Blues fanbase. He is always a willing combatant in the fisticuffs department, accumulating 73 penalty minutes over his first 52 NHL games.

Anytime St. Louis needs a fighter or a defenseman who can punish his opponents along the boards or in front of the net, Tucker can be called up for that assignment.