The 2025-26 season will always be a special one for Otto Stenberg. It was the season where the 20-year-old got his first experience of NHL hockey. After coming to North America just last year, Stenberg played well enough for the Springfield Thunderbirds to earn multiple promotions to the NHL. Over his 32 games, he recorded three goals and seven assists for 10 points. Not terrible for his first full season in North America.

After getting this cup of coffee in the NHL, Stenberg is expected to take another step forward next season. He should be a candidate to make the opening night roster and be a consistent starter for the Blues. But the question is what sort of role is he going to have? What is the best way to optimize his skills and help further his development? The best place for him is on the Blues’ middle six alongside some of the other young forwards.

Otto Stenberg should be a staple of the Blues middle six next season

While his NHL numbers do not jump off the page, his AHL numbers look a little better. In 36 games, he registered four goals and 13 assists for 17 points. While this is not an amazing stat line, it aligns more with the player Stenberg is projected to be. He has been seen as a skilled offensive winger who is good at setting up scoring chances. It was good to see that his strengths translated to the professional level. It’s a sign he can be productive at the NHL level.

Having him play on the middle six will be the perfect role for Stenberg. He will be able to get a decent amount of ice time, which will help him improve his game. The more time he has on ice, the more his skill set will develop, and he will become a better player. There will also not be the pressure that comes with being on the top line. Stenberg will not be asked to be one of the main offensive playmakers for the Blues, which allows him to develop at his own pace.

The middle six will also be where most of the Blues’ young players will be. Guys like Jake Neighbours, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Jonatan Berggren will be. These are players the Blues hope can become consistent NHL producers, and playing together will only benefit them. Having some combination of those four players on the same line will help them develop chemistry. This will make them more productive players, not just next season but for the foreseeable future.

Now, Stenberg does have some things to work on during his time in the middle six next season. He needs to be better at finishing. This has plagued him throughout his career. If he wants to grow into the player the Blues hope he can be, he will have to consistently put the puck in the back of the net. He will also need to work on his defense a bit. He had given up a lot of scoring chances last season, and if he wants to stay in the NHL, he will need to be at least average on defense.

Overall, 2026-27 is looking to be a strong season for Stenberg. He should be a staple on the Blues’ middle six and be a solid offensive contributor for them.

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