The St. Louis Blues have not had a true enforcer in the lineup since Ryan Reaves, and no one has been able to fill that role quite the same since he left. That will change with Ross Johnston.
The Blues signed Johnston to a three-year, $6 million contract on July 1, giving him a $2 million average annual value. The 32-year-old winger arrives from the Anaheim Ducks with a very specific skill set. He is not being brought in to become a top-six scorer, drive the power play, or suddenly turn into a shutdown defender. He is being brought in to make opponents think twice.
At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, Johnston is an imposing presence on the ice. More importantly, he has spent his NHL career embracing the physical side of the game. For a Blues team with plenty of young players, that could be more valuable than his offensive production.
The Blues Have Been Missing a Player Like This
Reaves made his NHL debut with the Blues during the 2010-11 season and remained with the team through 2016-17, becoming one of the most recognizable enforcers in franchise history. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017 as part of the deal that brought Oskar Sundqvist and a first-round pick to St. Louis.
Reaves was never expected to carry the offense. His job was to bring intimidation, physicality, and a willingness to answer for his teammates. He led the team in penalty minutes (PIM) during much of his time with the Blues, including 126 PIM in 2013-14.
Johnston is not Reaves, and it would be unfair to expect him to recreate what Reaves provided nearly a decade ago. The NHL has changed, and the role of an enforcer has changed with it. But the basic idea remains. Someone has to make it uncomfortable for opposing teams to take liberties with the Blues’ young stars.
Ross Johnston, Anaheim Ducks (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Brayden Schenn understood that responsibility during his time as captain. In January 2026, when Philip Broberg was injured by a hit from Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone, Schenn immediately dropped the gloves with Stone to defend his teammate.
Jake Neighbours has also shown a willingness to stand up for his teammates, giving the Blues another young player unafraid to get involved when things get heated. Those qualities matter. But asking productive players like Neighbours to take on that responsibility every night can come at a cost. Johnston gives the Blues another option.
The Penalty Minutes Are Going to Make Fans Nervous
There is an obvious concern with Johnston. His penalty minutes. He finished the 2025-26 regular season with 107 PIM in 62 games with the Ducks. That ranked among the highest on the team, and it came alongside three goals and 11 assists. Those numbers are not going to excite anyone looking for offensive production.
And yes, the penalty minutes will become a problem if Johnston is undisciplined. The Blues do not need a player taking unnecessary penalties simply to establish his physical presence. Spending too much time in the box will negate the value of having an enforcer in the first place.
But that does not mean his PIM make Johnston a bad signing. There is a difference between taking a bad penalty and accepting minutes as the cost of playing an aggressive, physical style. Johnston’s job will be finding that line.
If he can consistently finish checks, create discomfort around the net, protect teammates, and answer the bell when necessary without constantly forcing the Blues to play shorthanded, the trade-off becomes much easier to accept. For a team with several young players trying to establish themselves in the NHL, that sacrifice should be worth it.
Johnston Does Not Need to Score 20 Goals
Nobody should look at Johnston’s 2025-26 numbers and expect him to suddenly become an offensive weapon. His 14 points last season were a career high, but they still make it clear where his value comes from. That is perfectly fine.
The Blues already have players who need to produce offensively. Johnston’s value will come from doing things that don’t necessarily show up in the box score. He recorded 192 hits in Anaheim last season, often forcing opponents to alter their game plan.
A defenseman may think twice before taking an extra shot at a young Blues forward. A winger may be less interested in finishing a questionable hit if he knows Johnston is waiting for him. A team that wants to play an overly physical game against St. Louis now has another player it has to account for. That is part of the value. Johnston does not have to be a defensive specialist or a scoring machine to justify his place in the lineup. He needs to make his presence felt.
The Blues Have a Designated Enforcer Again
The biggest benefit is that Johnston’s role is obvious. He is an aggressive, physical forward who can fight, throw hits, and bring an intimidating presence to the lineup. He is a heavy hitter and a physical forward, which is exactly what St. Louis was looking for.
There will be games when his penalty minutes become frustrating. There may even be stretches when his $2 million cap hit feels expensive for a player who does not contribute much offensively. That comes with the territory. But the Blues did not sign Johnston because they needed another player to score 20 goals. They signed him because they needed someone willing to play a role that few players are willing or able to embrace.
The Blues have skilled players. They have players who can provide physicality. What they have lacked is someone whose first instinct is to make sure nobody messes with his teammates. Johnston can be that player.
He will not replace Reaves, and no one should expect him to. But if Johnston can bring a modern version of that same edge while keeping his penalties under control, the Blues will have exactly what their roster has been missing. Sometimes the most valuable player in a lineup is not the one scoring the biggest goals. Sometimes it is the player everyone knows is willing to answer the bell.
Free Newsletter
Get St Louis Blues coverage delivered to your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.