Buchelnikov was a second-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2022 NHL Entyr Draft that has yet to make his professional North American debut. The 22-year-old forward has 23 points (13G / 10A) in 38 games with CSKA Moscow (KHL) this season.
Drouin never really fit the Islanders' style of play and will ultimately get a fresh start after being traded to the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old Drouin scored 21 points (3G / 18A) in 55 games with the Islanders this season, but only had two points (0G / 2A) in his last 19 games.
Holl, a veteran of 396 career NHL games, has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 34-year-old defenseman scored 14 points (2G / 12A) in 41 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) this season and could be in line for a larger opportunity with the Blues.
Hofer entered the Olympic break on a rough run, posting an ugly 3.98 GAA and .824 SV% in during a four-game stretch (1-2-1). That said, the 25-year-old goalie seems to have returned to the form he was showcasing through much of December and January, saving 45 of 47 combined shots (.957 SV%) in two games (2-0-0) since returning from the league stoppage. The Blues enter Wednesday's contest as +126 road underdogs against a Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of four games since returning from the Olympic break (2-2-0).
Drouin did not play in the Islanders' previous game due to a lower-body injury, but he was back at practice on Tuesday. The veteran forward is expected to be ready for Wednesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Drouin is having a disappointing first season with the Islanders, scoring just 20 points (3G / 17A) through 53 games. He has been held off the scoresheet in 14 consecutive outings.
Parayko has missed the last two games and will miss at least one more due to back spasms. The 32-year-old Parayko is averaging 22:24 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (1G / 13A), 67 hits, and 141 blocks in 58 games this season.
Thomas did not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to a personal matter, but could suit up on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Thomas has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, but has not been able to maintain that pace in 2025-26, with only 33 points (11G / 22A) through 42 games for a struggling Blues team. That said, he had nine points (4G / 5A) in 10 games leading into the Olympic break.
Holloway has only played one game since December 12th, tending to an ankle injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 24-year-old Holloway had a breakout 2024-25 season with 63 points (26G / 37A) in 77 games, but has been unable to match that offensive output so far in 2025-26, with only 17 points (8G / 9A through 34 games.
Parayko was impressive in a shutdown role on Team Canada's blueline during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, and he will return to the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Despite his success at the Olympics, the 32-year-old Parayko has battled adversity for the Blues this season. He had 13 points (1G / 12A) and a -15 plus/minus through 57 games this season.
Jordan Binnington had a heavy workload during Team Canada's Silver Medal performance at the Olympics and will get some extra rest on Thursday, as the Blues will turn to Hofer to tend the twine against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old Hofer has largely outplayed Binnington for most of the season, but struggled heading into the Olympic break, losing three of four (1-2-1) while posting an ugly 3.98 GAA and .824 SV%. Before that, Hofer was dazzling, with a 2.00 GAA and .932 SV% in his previous eight games (6-2-0).
Thomas will not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to a personal matter, but he is expected to suit up on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Thomas has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, but has not been able to maintain that pace in 2025-26, with only 33 points (11G / 22A) through 42 games for a struggling Blues team. That said, he had nine points (4G / 5A) in 10 games leading into the Olympic break.
