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Philip Broberg Has Strong Showing In St. Louis Blues Debut
Blues new defenseman Philip Broberg scored in his debut with his new team and was solid defensively
A lot of questions were asked regarding whether Philip Broberg was worth the money the St. Louis Blues gave him when they submitted their offer sheet to pluck the former top-10 pick out of Edmonton.
Well, a goal in your debut with your new team and a positive impact in the defensive zone will quiet down those questions.
In Tuesday's season-opener matinee game against the Kraken, the Blues triumphed with a 3-2 victory despite a sluggish start, which featured six new players in the lineup. Out of the six new faces, none had a better outing than the 6-foot-4 defenseman, Philip Broberg.
After Jordan Kyrou scored on the powerplay to bring the Blues within one, Broberg displayed his offensive instincts by activating down the backside of the play into the left-side faceoff dot, sliding into a shooting position, and ripping his wrist shot underneath the glove hand of Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
Broberg played 20:23, marking just the fourth time in his NHL career that he has eclipsed playing 20 or more minutes in a game, and the first time since the 2021-22 season interestingly enough.
Now, Broberg and his defense partner Justin Faulk had a rough night if you're just looking at the analytical statistics.
According to Natural Stat Trick, the two were on the ice for 15 scoring chances against at 5-on-5 and only five scoring chances for. Broberg also had the third lowest corsi percentage amongst all Blues players at 34.15%.
However, keep in mind that for the first 30 minutes of the game, St. Louis was getting severely outplayed and the chances were heavily favored for the home team.
When you go back and watch and analyze his game, there weren't a lot of negatives to it or glaring mistakes/turnovers to point out. Sure, he could've been more physical in boxing out the front of his net and tying up his man, or use his skating more frequently to transition pucks up ice. But, he made smart decisions on his breakout passes, and was efficient at using his body to eliminate his man from the play when defending the cycle.
He was noticeable on the defensive side of the puck, using his long reach to get his stick on pucks and steer it away from the middle of the ice. He was also solid at keeping a tight gap on the zone entry and forcing dump-ins, which Faulk was usually able to get to the puck first before the forechecker.
There was an adjustment period in the first half of the game for Broberg and the Blues, but he and the team dialed it defensively in the second half.
It's important to note that this was only Broberg's 82nd regular season game of his career. However, he played like the player he was for the Edmonton Oilers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final in his first game in the blue, white, and gold.
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3 St. Louis Blues Who Need To Step Up This Season
These three Blues players need to step it up if the team is to make the playoffs
Throughout the summer, it has been widely reported that the St. Louis Blues are at risk of missing the playoffs for the third year in a row. They need their key players to perform well in order to make a comeback.
The organization has remained committed to staying competitive rather than rebuilding, and several new players have been brought in to strengthen the lineup. However, three players have been around the organization for numerous years and need to kick it into high gear in 2024-25.
Below we break down those three Blues players who need to step up this season to increase the odds of the team getting back into the dance.
Jordan Binnington
Let's state the obvious. If the Blues are to make the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it will most likely be because of their 2019 Stanley Cup Champion goaltender returning to form.
Jordan Binnington improved his goals-against average (2.84) and save percentage (.913) last season after he had back-to-back underwhelming seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Ironically, those two poor years came right after he had signed his six-year extension at $6 million per year.
When you're making that kind of money, you are supposed to perform like a starting goaltender, and Binnington hasn't done his part for the last three seasons. 2023-24 was a step in the right direction, but he can't have stretches of starts where he's allowing four or more goals and costing the team games.
Additionally, the potential challenge from backup Joel Hofer should fuel Binnington to up his game. We made a bold prediction last month that the younger netminder will steal more starts away from the Cup champ and form more of a tandem in St. Louis this season.
The team may be fine with that, especially if their starter struggles, but the Championship-caliber goaltending within Binnington needs to be unleashed and earn his money.
Jordan Kyrou
The other Jordan on the team — Jordan Kyrou — is another player who needs to elevate his game in the upcoming season, and not just for the team's sake of getting back into the playoffs, but potentially for his future with the organization.
Last season was a year full of ups and downs for the Blues top-six winger. After beloved Head Coach Craig Berube was fired, the fan base turned on Kyrou, pointing at him as one of the main reasons he was fired.
Before Drew Bannister's coaching debut against Ottawa on December 14, 2023, Kyrou spoke to the media prior to the game. When asked about his relationship with Berube, he replied, "I've got no comment. He's not my coach anymore."
That comment struck a nerve with Blues fans, who proceeded to boo Kyrou every time he touched the puck that game. He fought back tears speaking to the media after the game, saying, "It's just tough, right? I love playing here. It's tough to hear the fans booing me."
At that point of the season, the Blues speedster had only five goals and 18 points in 29 games. Well, he turned it on after all the drama, scoring 26 goals and 50 points in his next 54 games.
This stretch of 54 games is what Jordan needs to do all season long, essentially performing how Robert Thomas did last season.
He's an eight-million-dollar player and needs to justify his salary by staying consistent and ideally, carry the offense for his line without the help of Thomas. 40 goals is asking for a lot, but that may be what he needs to do.
Nick Leddy
The final player is 33-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy, who will be entering his third season with the franchise after they acquired him from the Detroit Red Wings during the 2021-22 season.
First off, Leddy is not and most likely will never be the same defenseman he once was during his prime years with the New York Islanders. However, if he is to continue to play in a top-four role for the team, he cannot let his age show and derail his play.
The Toronto Maple Leafs last season saw what can happen when age catches up to a veteran defender of over a decade with T.J. Brodie. Eventually, Brodie was excluded from Toronto's playoff lineup in their once again first-round exit to the Boston Bruins. Hopefully, the Blues and Leddy won't experience that same fate.
Leddy is slotted to start the season alongside the Blues' number-one defenseman Colton Parayko, a spot he held for the majority of last season. Alas, the two together weren't always good.
Parayko and Leddy had the challenging task of going up against their opponent's top players at even strength every night, and it showed with their lowly analytical statistics. The two as a pair had a corsi percentage of 43.37%, shots for of 45.21%, scoring chances for of 43.27%, and high-danger chances for of 41.81%. All below 50% is not what you want to see out of your top pair.
Leddy's foot speed has started to slow down and it's noticeable when he goes back to retrieve pucks. Forecheckers are getting to him quicker and forcing him to make faster decisions with the puck.
The veteran of over 1,000 NHL games and a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 needs to ensure that his first passes on breakouts remain accurate and don't have to be rushed all the time
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Former Blues Forward Upgrades PTO To NHL Contract
St. Louis Blues forward last season successfully earned an NHL contract after PTO stint in Washington
One former St. Louis Blues player was unable to convert his PTO into a full NHL contract, while another alumni has been successful in converting his try-out into a permanent NHL contract.
Czech forward Jakub Vrana attended the Washington Capitals training camp on a PTO, and the team has signed him to a one-year contract worth $775,000 on a one-way deal.
Vrana, 28, played 41 games for the Blues franchise throughout the last two seasons. The team traded for the skilled winger on Mar. 3, 2023, in exchange for forward prospect Dylan McLaughlin and a seventh-round draft pick in 2025.
He seemed to have rediscovered his scoring touch when he first came to the Blues, scoring 10 goals in 20 games before the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
Unfortunately, his strong play did not carry over into 2023-24 despite being named to the team's opening night roster. Jakub spent lots of time in the press box as a healthy scratch last season with the team, playing only 21 games and recording two goals and six points.
He was, however, a top-line scorer in the AHL for the Springfield Thunderbirds, scoring 16 goals and 36 points in 42 games.
Now, the 28-year-old winger returns to the city where his career started, Washington.
The Capitals hope they can get the goal-scoring skilled forward who scored 49 goals and 99 points in 151 games from 2018 to 2020, and give them some scoring depth deep in their lineup in the upcoming season.
The talent is there, but Vrana's biggest struggles have been his consistency and work ethic without the puck. He needs those two areas in his game to iron out if he wants to be a full-time NHL player.
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Ex-Blues Forward Off To Incredible Start Overseas
One former St. Louis Blues player is shining over in Finland
Where are they now? It's intriguing to track down former Blues players and see where they are currently playing and how they are performing. One of their alumni is having a fantastic start in Finland.
During the years 2007 to 2014, this ex-St. Louis Blues forward started his professional playing career in his home country for three-and-a-half seasons before transferring to Russia to play in the KHL.
The St. Louis Blues drafted him in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in the third round, 65th overall, and held onto his signing rights before finally bringing him over after he was a KHL all-star, an Olympic bronze medalist, and an IIHF Men's World Championship silver medalist during the 2013-14 season.
The player we are talking about is Finnish center Jori Lehtera.
Lehtera, 38, plays for HIFK in the top Finnish league Liiga, and is second in league scoring after 10 games. His 17 points sit one point behind Jens Looke for first, but his 14 assists lead the league.
Last season, Lehtera led the league in assists, displaying an impressive playmaker stat line of 50 assists and only six goals in 57 games. However, his 2022-23 season has to be one of the most memorable years of his career.
After playing three years in the KHL following his five-year tenure in the NHL, Jori returned home to play for Tappara, where he won the Finnish Elite League Championship and Champions Hockey League Championship.
Lehtera led the league in assists (46), led the playoffs in scoring (17), finished with the best faceoff percentage (60.50%), and was voted to the Liiga's all-star team.
At 38 years old, the former Blues forward — who played 218 games for the organization from 2014 to 2017 — is still playing at an elite level overseas and on pace to lead his league in assists for the third year.
Blues fans probably best remember Lehtera for his involvement in the trade that brought captain Brayden Schenn to St. Louis. But, he also played an impactful third-line role for the organization during their run to the Western Conference Finals in 2016.
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3 St. Louis Blues Forward Prospects To Watch & Track In The AHL For The 2024-25 Season
The St. Louis Blues have three young forwards starting their professional careers in North America in the 2024-25 season
The St. Louis Blues AHL affiliate, Springfield Thunderbirds, announced their initial training camp roster on Sept. 30, and it features three forward prospects which Blues fans will want to keep track of how they are doing this season.
The Blues organization has completely rebuilt their prospect pool over the last three drafts and fans can look forward to some young up-and-coming talent.
One of these players has the potential to be a call-up option for St. Louis throughout the upcoming season, while the other two will contend for regular lineup spots with the Thunderbirds.
Let's discuss the three forward Blues prospects fans will want to keep an eye on during the 2024-25 AHL season in Springfield.
C, Dalibor Dvorsky
Realistically, expectations were set maybe too high for Dalibor Dvorsky heading into his second training camp with the organization. The 2023 10th overall pick is only 19 years old and doesn't turn 20 until June 15.
Yes, he's had experience playing at the professional level overseas in Sweden, but the team doesn't need him yet, and playing in the AHL is the smart move for his development.
The Slovak center played three pre-season games but was held off the scoresheet and was a minus-4. His intelligence and positional awareness were on display along with the added muscle he's put on to improve his puck protection skills.
Alas, his foot speed and pace for the NHL level need to quicken. Also, Dvorsky's offensive play was tentative throughout the pre-season and he didn't show much confidence with the puck.
Dvorsky should start the season contending for a spot as a top-six center in Springfield with Zach Dean and Nikita Alexandrov.
RW, Simon Robertsson
Simon Robertsson had a strong showing at the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase last month with three points in two games and scored in his pre-season debut against Utah on Sept. 22.
The team's third-round, 71st-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has caught the eye of the Blues coaching staff in his first appearance since coming over from Sweden.
"He's got really good hockey sense. He's competitive. He stays on pucks, he seems to be around pucks a lot, he's strong down low, things that typically you don't see from 20-, 21-year-olds, things that they still have to grow into with his details and his habits but good skater and really strong on the puck. Really happy with his camp so far," said Blues Head Coach Drew Bannister on what he's seen out of Robertsson.
Robertsson struggled to consistently secure a top-nine role while playing in the SHL in Sweden. He did, however, win the SHL Championship last season with Skelleftea playing 15 games in the playoffs for them.
At 21 years old and entering his first season in North America, the Swedish forward will have to earn his keep on Springfield's roster, but he has the qualities of a pro player that should help his transition to the AHL level.
C/LW, Aleksanteri Kaskimaki
The last player is a sleeper prospect in Finnish forward Aleksanteri Kaskimaki.
Kaskimaki, 20, signed his entry-level contract in late May this year after completing his second full season with HIFK in the top Finnish men's league Liiga. He also played a top-six role for Finland at the 2024 World Juniors recording two goals and two assists in seven games.
Aleksanteri was drafted in the third-round, 73rd overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He's played 89 Liiga games, scoring 13 goals and 24 points in the last two seasons combined.
The six-foot, 192-pound forward is a sneaky good player. He doesn't flash high-end speed or eye-popping creativity with the puck, but plays a strong two-way game and showcases above-average playmaking vision. Kaskimaki quickly surveys the ice to identify his passing options in transition and when retrieving pucks along the wall in the offensive zone.
Additionally, he's got a sturdy frame that will only get stronger as he packs on more muscle, and can be a challenging forechecker to handle for defenders.
Kaskimaki could split time between the ECHL and AHL in 2024-25, but I wouldn't count him out as a rookie for the Thunderbirds who establish a full-time spot in their bottom-six.
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Former St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup Champion Released From PTO
Ex-Blues forward continues his search for a new home for the 2024-25 season
With the 2024-25 NHL season less than a week away, players attending training camps on PTOs either are earning their spot on the roster or are being released.
Blues' RFA Nikita Alexandrov attended training camp on a PTO and converted it into a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
However, the same can't be said for an ex-Blues forward, who was a member of the team in their 2019 Stanley Cup Championship run.
Sammy Blais signed an AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks in late August and attended Vancouver Canucks training camp on a PTO. He played four pre-season games for them but failed to convert his minor-league deal into an NHL contract.
In four games with the Canucks, Blais was held to no points and only mustered up three shots on net and was a minus-3. He has been released from his PTO by Vancouver and relocated to Abbotsford.
He played his usual physical brand of hockey, recording four hits in his first appearance against Seattle and six against Seattle again in Vancouver's third pre-season game (No hits were recorded in the Canucks versus Calgary game on Sept. 25).
Blais played a physically punishing fourth-line role with the Blues when they won the Stanley Cup in 2019. He returned to the organization in a deal during the 2022-23 season when the organization dealt Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola to the New York Rangers.
Last season, the 6-foot-2 winger played 53 games for St. Louis, recording one goal, seven points, and 31 penalty minutes.
The Quebec City native is 28 years old and a full season of him dominating and operating as a top producer at the AHL level could rejuvenize his confidence.
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Holloway-Faksa-Joseph Emerging As Intriguing Line Combination For The St. Louis Blues
Blues Dylan Holloway, Radek Faksa, and Mathieu Joseph showcased strong chemistry in pre-season game against Chicago
The St. Louis Blues coaching staff will start to form their forward lines for opening night against the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 8 very soon here at training camp, and a trio of summer acquisitions could assemble a strong checking third line.
It's not often you see three new players on the team play on the same line, but that's what pre-season is for right?
Blues Head Coach Drew Bannister had Dylan Holloway, Radek Faksa, and Mathieu Joseph play on a line with one another in their 3-2 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.
Holloway stole the show with a two-goal performance in just his second game in the blue and gold. His first came in the third period with the team down 2-0.
Joseph created pressure by heading hard to the net after dishing the puck off to Holloway on St. Louis' first goal of the game. Holloway smartly threw the puck on net, which caromed off the Blackhawks defender and in.
During overtime, the former Edmonton Oiler sealed the Blue's first pre-season victory with a precise wrister that beat Petr Mrazek's low glove, and into the bottom left corner of the net.
St. Louis didn't have much going for them through 40 minutes and it appeared they were in danger of dropping to 0-4 in the pre-season. However, one line stood out. That line was of the newcomers Holloway, Faksa, and Mathieu Joseph.
Joseph and Holloway's play style complement each other. Both are darting, north-south skaters who attack in straight lines and are puck hounds on the forecheck. There was a shift in the second period where the Blackhawks couldn't advance the puck past the faceoff circle because of the tenacious puck pursuit and stop-and-starts by the two.
With the puck, they can match each other's speed to attack in transition, or in the offensive zone with reversal plays to prolong possession along the perimeter.
Adding the 6-foot-3, 220-pound centerman Radek Faksa down the middle gives the line a positionally reliable forward who can let the two speedsters forecheck so he play as the high forward in case the play comes back the other way.
All three are strong 200-foot players capable of being utilized in defensive situations. Holloway still needs more seasoning in that kind of role, but Faksa and Joseph have previous experience.
If the Blues role with a top six of the following:Neighbours - Thomas - KyrouSaad/Bolduc - Buchnevich - Schenn
Then that would actually put the team in a good spot and potentially have a strong checking third line of Holloway, Faksa, and Joseph.
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Another St. Louis Blues Prospect Named Captain In The OHL; Lukas Fischer Will Wear The "C" For The Sarnia Sting
Blues 2024 second-rounder stepping into more of a leadership role for his junior team
One day after St. Louis Blues prospect Quinton Burns was named captain of the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL, another prospect in the organization will wear the "C" for their junior team in the upcoming season.
The Blues 2024 second-round, 56th overall pick, Lukas Fischer, was announced captain of the OHL's Sarnia Sting ahead of their season opener against the Windsor Spitfires Friday night.
Fischer joined Sarnia in 2022-23 after the team drafted him 208th overall in the 11th round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection. The Sting organization struck gold drafting the smooth-skating 6-foot-3 defenseman that late in the draft, as it was believed that Lukas was headed down the USHL and NCAA development path.
The son of former NHL player, Jiri Fischer, played 47 games as a 16-year-old with the Sting, and 16 more in their run to the Western Conference Finals, gaining valuable experience that aided him in his draft season.
Last season was a rough year for the entire Sarnia team. The organization sold off their futures as they pushed for an OHL Championship the year prior and 2023-24 was a rebuilding season.
Despite the growing pains, one glimmering sight for Sarnia was the play of Lukas Fischer. In just his second season in the OHL, he was appointed as the team's number-one defenseman and logged heavy minutes on a nightly basis.
Fischer performed exceptionally in this position, demonstrating remarkable skill in balancing his defensive duties with his offensive contributions. Rather than allowing the demands of being the team's primary defenseman to hinder his progress, he leveraged this role to showcase his diverse set of skills as a defenseman who excels in moving the puck and playing effectively in both defensive and offensive situations.
Now, Fischer and the Sting look to bounce back and get back into the playoffs 2024-25, with the Blues prospect wearing the "C".
Sarnia got off on the right foot with a 5-4 overtime win over Windsor in their first game of the year. Fischer was held off the scoresheet and recorded one shot on goal.
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St. Louis Blues Prospect Quinton Burns Named Captain Of The OHL Kingston Frontenacs
Quinton Burns returns to junior with a new letter on his jersey
Quinton Burns was sent back to his junior team, the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, after attending the St. Louis Blues training camp and was honored.
The Kingston Frontenacs announced their leadership group ahead of their season opener against the Peterborough Petes tonight. Among them is Quinton Burns, the Blues' 2023 third-rounder, who has been named the team's new captain.
“It is a huge honor to be named captain of the Kingston Frontenacs. I take a lot of pride in being a leader and I will do my best to help this team to a great season," said Burns.
Burns, entering his fourth year with the Frontenacs, has played 154 OHL games. As one of the most experienced defensemen alongside assistant captain Cal Uens, they are tasked with leading the team beyond last season's first-round exit.
Kingston Head Coach Troy Mann had a lot of praise for his new captain:
“Burnsie lives and dies for the Frontenacs and those are the type of players that we want in the organization. He buys into what we are selling here. I love his compete and his passion, not only for the game, but for the jersey and the logo. Ultimately, we are trying to win, and I think you can win with a guy like Burnsie.”
Since Burns signed his entry-level contract with St. Louis in August, this will be his last season in junior, as he will turn pro beginning in the 2025-26 season.
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St. Louis Blues Top Prospect Turning Heads With His Play In The Pre-season
St. Louis Blues top prospect Zachary Bolduc is making a strong push to play in the team's top six to start the season
St. Louis Blues prospect had a taste of what the NHL is like to end last season, and he's come into training camp with a clear message: I'm a full-time NHL player ready to make an impact.
The Blues added a lot of depth at the forward position in the off-season by bringing in Dylan Holloway, Alexandre Texier, Radek Faksa, and Mathieu Joseph. All those additions seem to have fueled Bolduc to come into training camp and show management that if they need a player to play in their top six, he's their guy.
The 17th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has played two pre-season games for St. Louis thus far and is impressing the management team.
Blues Assistant GM Tim Taylor spoke with St. Louis broadcasters Chris Kerber and Joey Vitale in the first intermission of last night's pre-season game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and had high praise for the team's top prospect.
"Bolduc in that period (first) was finishing checks and on pucks. He's now understanding as a player that if you finish your hits, you eliminate that man from the play, and then the puck comes to you, now you get that extra (scoring) chance. He's really come on and has been playing extremely well." said Taylor.
Joey Vitale followed up and asked Taylor which Blues player he's viewed as a poster boy for prospect development over the last decade.
"Well, right now I can use Bolduc as an example. He turned pro for us last year and thought he would score lots of goals and assists and once we got down to Springfield, he realized it's all about checking and the next play. If the play isn't there, dump the puck, it's not about trying to create something out of nothing. But he's really exemplified the growth and maturity of a player," said Taylor.
Bolduc doesn't have any points in his two pre-season games to show off his play, but he's added another level of physicality and energy on the forecheck. He's not a big guy by any means, but appears stronger and that man-muscle is starting to come on.
Against Columbus, Bolduc had the opportunity to play with St. Louis' top forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. He did not look out of place and displayed his offensive intelligence by reading off his veteran linemates. He tallied six shots on net and had a couple of grade-A scoring chances, which he should have buried on at least one.
Bolduc's offensive play and forechecking aggressiveness have been a promising sight. However, there's work to be done with his defensive play and energy on the backcheck. He needs to show that same hustle when tracking back if he's to play consistently in the top six.
Regardless, it has been an extremely positive training camp for Bolduc up to this point. There are a lot of other Blues players who are also contending for a spot in the team's top six, therefore he cannot slow down now and continue to show he's ready to make that next step forward.
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What Should The Expectations Be For St. Louis Blues Captain Brayden Schenn in the 2024-25 Season?
St. Louis Blues captain had a down year in 2023-24, can he bounce back? Or is age catching up to him?
The 2023-24 season for Brayden Schenn was a season the St. Louis Blues captain would like to put behind him.
After putting up 65 points in 2022-23, the most points he's produced in a full non-covid season since his first year with the team in 2017-18, the 13-year veteran hit a low point with his production last season with only 46 points.
The last time Schenn failed to record 50 or more points in a season (not including the 2020-21 bubble season) was all the way back in 2014-15 when he recorded 47 points in 82 games as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Now, Brayden Schenn has never been the kind of player who racks up 70 or more points every season. During his time in the NHL, he's never really been the guy who drives the offense for his line.
However, a minus-19-point decrease does raise some eyebrows and concerns when you start to factor in his age.
So realistically when you consider that the Blues captain just turned 33 last month, what should the expectations be for Schenn in the 2024-25 season?
Plus/Minus Improvement
First, there is one statistical category where he has really fallen off — his plus/minus. Schenn over the past two seasons is a combined minus-49. That's not good enough. His career rating before that was a plus-1.
Alas, the plus/minus statistic has started to be viewed by some as arbitrational, and it's a stat that is more of an indicator of the overall team's play.
We tend to agree with that, considering those who finish in the running for the green jacket every season usually come from the worst teams in the league. For example, last season the seven worst plus/minus ratings came from players on San Jose or Chicago.
However, you can counter that argument in Schenn's case by pointing out that St. Louis hasn't been one of the worst teams over the last two seasons, and that a minus-49 rating is concerning.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Schenn was on the ice for 52 goals against at 5v5 in 2023-24, tied with Brandon Saad for the most amongst Blues forwards. Additionally, he was below 50% in SF% (45.41), SCF% (43.11), and HDCF% (42.93). Those three categories show us that at 5v5, whenever Schenn was on the ice, the Blues were getting outplayed.
Leading By Example
Although Schenn's production may start to taper off as he enters the last two years of his contract, one area of his game will never go away — his leadership and fierce competitiveness.
Perhaps no St. Louis player is more willing to battle and outwork opponents than the gritty Saskatchewan native. The young players are emerging for the Blues, providing a perfect opportunity for the second-year captain to demonstrate and enforce the right way to play.
Brayden needs to ensure his team is prepared to play hard every night, motivate them, and hold his teammates accountable. After all, management will start to consider moving core members out if the team fails to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
If Dalibor Dvorsky makes the team, it will be a great opportunity for the young Slovak to learn and shadow his captain. Dvorsky plays a lot like Schenn and could be a player who replaces him full-time in the top six if the team decides to move on from him when his contract ends or push him down the lineup due to his age.
Realistic Expectations
The expectations for Schenn should be another 20-goal season and record 50 to 60 points while improving his 5v5 play.
He's not the quickest skater and he's not getting any faster at 33. Pairing him up with the right linemates is crucial for Schenn to bounce back. But expecting him to put up 65 to 70 points is a bit much, unless he's playing with Robert Thomas for most of the season.
After completing his first season as captain of the St. Louis Blues, Schenn should come into the season with a better idea of how to lead and push his teammates to get the Blues back into the dance in April.
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3 St. Louis Blues Prospects to Watch During Preseason
There are three St. Louis Blues prospects fans should keep their eyes on during the preseason
The St. Louis Blues aren't off to a great start in the preseason. They dropped their first game against the Dallas Stars 2-1 in what was a low-event affair and followed it up with a 5-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club.
The Blues split up their rosters in both games, featuring a good mix of NHL players and prospects. Below are three prospects in the organization that fans should keep an eye on during the preseason.
St. Louis' top prospects Dalibor Dvorsky and Zachary Bolduc are not included on this list. Our three players on the list focus more on the "under the radar" type of prospects in the organization who could push for an NHL spot in one to two years, or even be callup options for the team this season.
Dvorsky and Bolduc already are on every Blues fan's radar. The two are in fierce competition to make the opening night roster, and both already have gotten the opportunity to play alongside NHL-caliber players in their preseason games.
Here are the three "under the radar" prospects Blues fans should key in on:
Zach Dean
Zach Dean is a player I've watched since his U16 season in the GTHL (Greater Toronto Hockey League) with the Toronto Nationals AAA team. He clearly was his team's best player and one of the top prospects coming out of the GTHL.
St. Louis made a rather unusual trade when they acquired Dean from the Vegas Golden Knights. Instead of trading Ivan Barbashev for multiple draft picks, the team dealt him for the 2021 30th overall pick.
After three seasons in the QMJHL with the Gatineau Olympiques, Dean graduated to the professional level last season, scoring nine goals and 14 points in 49 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, and received a nine-game stint with the Blues.
Dean didn't have a standout rookie season in the AHL, but he was a standout at the recent Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase tournament and is putting his name on the map as a player who may challenge some of the veterans for a spot in the opening night lineup.
Dean isn't a big forward, listed at six feet and 179 pounds. But he's sneaky strong on his stick and great at stealing pucks in board battles. He's an agile and quick skater who pressures defenders into making errors with the puck. Watch him be a regular top-six contributor in Springfield this season.
Samuel Johannesson
Samuel Johannesson was picked 176th overall in the 6th round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He's an older prospect who turns 24 on Dec. 27.
The 5-foot-11 right-shot defenseman played alongside Pierre-Olivier Joseph in St. Louis' preseason opener against Dallas and did not look out of place in his first bit of NHL action.
Johannesson has plenty of experience playing at the professional level. He's played 239 games in the SHL in Sweden and won the Champions Hockey League with Rogle BK in 2021-22. He recorded 59 points in 95 games in his last two seasons and will play in North America for the first time in his career in the AHL with Springfield this season.
What we saw from the Swedish defenseman is that he's a smooth, calm, efficient puck-moving defenseman. He doesn't panic under pressure up along the offensive blueline or when handling the puck in his own zone. His passes were delivered with crisp accuracy. He'll have the opportunity to run the powerplay in Springfield and be a go-to offensive defenseman for the team.
Simon Robertsson
Simon Robertsson played on a line with Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Tanner Dickinson the other night against Utah and got on the scoresheet when he deposited the puck into the net off a pretty backhand feed by Juraj Pekarcik.
Robertsson has been an interesting prospect to follow since he was selected 71st overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He was rated as a late first-rounder/early second-rounder but slipped to St. Louis in the third round.
He struggled to gain footing in the SHL and vault himself up the lineup in the Skelleftea organization. However, he did win the SHL Championship with them last season, recording two points in 15 playoff games.
Robertsson is the type of prospect who isn't flashy but has a lot of NHL-like qualities. He's a powerful skater and strong on his skates and he has a snappy quick release and a goal-scorer shot.
The Swedish winger signed his entry-level contract back in May and is expected to report to Springfield and get accumulated with the North American play style.
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The Joseph Brothers Demonstrated Their Value In St. Louis Blues Debut Against Dallas
Mathieu and Pierre-Olivier Joseph made their first appearance in a St. Louis Blues jersey Saturday night and showcased why management acquired them
The St. Louis Blues opened up their preseason last night against the Dallas Stars and a couple of new faces in the organization made their debuts.
The Joseph brothers, Mathieu and Pierre-Olivier, wore the Blues jersey for the first time on Saturday night and showcased a similar quality that the team clearly liked about them both: speed.
Pierre-Olivier had the busier night of the two, logging the fourth-most ice time amongst Blues defensemen (21:42), and was utilized on the penalty kill and powerplay.
The first game back is always a shaky one for every player and Pierre-Olivier certainly showcased some rust in the opening frame. His mobility and puck-carrying ability were not an issue and were on display, but his passes were off the mark, and handcuffed his teammates coming through the neutral zone.
That rust and the new team jitters seemed to have worn off after the first intermission, as his passing accuracy improved in the second and third periods, and he got the puck up to his forwards with precision and on time for them to make a play with it.
Pierre-Olivier's skating is the hallmark of his game. He showcased his ability to close gaps swiftly using his feet and long reach and forced zone entries out towards the boards on almost all occasions when his opponents came down his side of the ice.
One area where he could clean up for his next outing was the timing of his pinches in the neutral zone. He was stepping up often to squash the transition attack early on, but Dallas was still able to get the pucks around him and gain possession in the offensive zone.
However, it was a strong showing for the younger Joseph brother, who needs to impress with every opportunity he gets as he's in a battle to win out a spot on St. Louis's third pair to start the season.
The older Joseph brother, Mathieu, on the other hand, had a very quiet debut. He played on a line with Zach Dean and Kasperi Kapanen, and they scored the only goal for St. Louis in their 2-1 loss.
Mathieu logged 13:18 of ice time with no shots on goal and blocked one shot. What was evidently noticeable was his incredible acceleration and pace in his game.
GM Doug Armstrong wanted his team to get faster. Well, adding Mathieu Joseph certainly helps accomplish that. You could see his speedy presence on the forecheck, acting as an aggressive F1 or the support F2. He also played on the penalty kill, which is a spot he will most likely presume in the regular season.
Mathieu's play with the puck was simple. When he got the puck he made smart and safe plays and did not turn it over. Hopefully next game he can spend more time with it, however, and generate more offense.
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Two St. Louis Blues Players Ranked Top 100 In EA Sports NHL 25 Player Ratings
St. Louis's top two forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou earn among the top 100 best players in EA Sports NHL 25
EA Sports revealed their player ratings for NHL 25 and the St. Louis Blues have a couple of members featured in the top 100. Blues fans can play as their favorite team and with their favorite players on Oct. 4 when the game is officially released to the public.
Center Robert Thomas and right winger Jordan Kyrou each received an 88 rating in the new NHL video game.
The two Blues forwards are tied with 21 other players at 88 overall. Some of the most notable players they share the same rating with are Connor Bedard, Tage Thompson, Evgeni Malkin, and Patrick Kane.
Thomas finished the previous EA Sports video game, NHL 24, with an 89 rating. After he recorded career-highs in goals, and assists, while averaging 20:58 TOI per game, the decision to bump him back down to an 88 is puzzling.
Kyrou finished NHL 24 at an 87 overall. Jordan recorded 75 points in 2021-22 and 73 points in 2022-23. Last season his production dropped slightly to 67 points, but he still managed to score 31 goals.
So in theory, Thomas should have stayed at 89 and Kyrou at 87. Interesting rating decisions for those two stars considering the seasons they are coming off of.
Kyrou also received a 93 acceleration attribute rating for his blazing breakaway speed. Only 10 players were given a higher acceleration rating than the St. Louis speedster.
The Blues had five other players listed in NHL 25's top 300 ratings.
Pavel Buchnevich, Colton Parayko, and Jordan Binnington were rated 86 overall, while Justin Faulk was given an 85, and the injured Torey Krug an 84.
Jordan Binnington's player rating of 86 places him as the 13th-highest-rated goaltender in the league. This rating puts him on par with other goaltenders such as Stuart Skinner, Adin Hill, Pyotr Kochetkov, and Tristan Jarry.
The full list of NHL 25's player ratings can be found here.
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St. Louis Blues Defense Pairings Look Vastly Different On Day 1 Of Training Camp
The Blues' defense pairings on the first day of training camp show two young Blues defensemen bidding for top four roles in 2024-25
The boys are back on the ice and Day 1 of training camp is in the books.
The St. Louis Blues have divided their training camp into three groups. The defense pairings in Groups A, B, and C indicate that two young defensemen on the roster will have the chance to compete for a top-four role in the early going.
Below, we will review all the defensive pairings from Day 1 and analyze the noteworthy combinations.
Group A Pairings:
Philip Broberg - Justin FaulkTyler Tucker - Samuel JohannessonMarc-Andre Gaudet - Corey SchuenemanWilliam McIsaac - *Adam Jiricek (injured)
The first thing that jumps off the page is seeing Philip Broberg paired up alongside veteran Justin Faulk. We recently made a bold prediction that Broberg and Colton Parayko would become St. Louis' top defense pairing by the end of the season. It's extremely early, but it would appear we could be on track for that.
Broberg and Faulk as a potential second-pairing for the Blues is enticing. Both players move pucks well and accurately on the breakout and provide offense from the blueline.
However, Faulk isn't necessarily regarded as a stout defensive defenseman (like Colton Parayko), and pairing him up with a 23-year-old defenseman who still needs to establish himself as a full-time NHLer could cause a bumpy road playing together.
Group B Pairings:
Scott Perunovich - Colton ParaykoNick Leddy - Pierre-Olivier JosephLeo Loof - Anton MalmstromMatthew Mayich - Jeremie Biakabutuka
We have discussed at length over the summer that with Torey Krug out for the season, Scott Perunovich is the ideal candidate to replace him. And pairing him up with the 6-foot-6 giant Colton Parayko makes a whole lot of sense.
Perunovich and Parayko make a great pair - one is a reliable defender, Colton Parayko, who takes care of defensive duties, while the other, Scott Perunovich, is an offensive defenseman with the freedom to join the rush, knowing he has a reliable defense partner to cover for him.
The main worry with this pairing is Perunovich's lack of experience and knowing that the two of them will be out there going up against the opposition's best players every night. Parayko can handle that and has been doing it for a while, but can Perunovich?
Group C Pairings:
Ryan Suter - Matthew KesselMichael Buchinger - Hunter SkinnerQuinton Burns - Scott HarringtonLukas Fischer
It just felt like a Ryan Suter and Matthew Kessel pairing was inevitable when he signed with the team.
Suter's play in the playoffs with the Dallas Stars took a bit of a tumble, but if he can showcase that it was just a one-off and that age isn't catching up to him, he and Kessel should be a safe third pair for St. Louis.
Kessel can lean on Suter's leadership and experience to improve as an NHL player, but there's going to be quite the battle for the third-pairing role by the looks of it.
If we're looking at the NHL-level defense pairings from Day 1, it shows that Perunovich, Parayko, Broberg, and Faulk round out their top four.
The battle begins with Ryan Suter, Matthew Kessel, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph competing for a spot alongside veteran Nick Leddy. Kessel would have the upper hand as he is the only right-shot out of the three.
There's plenty of time left until the Blues open up their season on Oct. 8 against Seattle, and preseason games will help decipher which defense pairings Drew Bannister feels most comfortable rolling out with.
St. Louis take on the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Sept. 21, for their first of seven preseason games.
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Two St. Louis Blues Prospects Named To Sportsnet's Top 23 Prospects Under 23
Dalibor Dvorsky cracked the top 10, Jimmy Snuggerud featured inside the top 20 as well
Sportsnet recently came out with their ranking of the top 23 NHL prospects under 23 years old. The St. Louis Blues' top two prospects in the organization — Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud — were featured on their list.
Inside the top 10 at number eight was Dalibor Dvorsky. The Blues organization knew they were getting a forward who could turn out to be a core member of their squad for years to come when they selected the Slovak forward 10th overall in 2023.
St. Louis management and their development team have to be thrilled by how quickly Dvorsky has progressed, considering he's a strong candidate to push for a spot on the Blues roster for the 2024-25 season.
Dalibor showed well at the recent prospect tournament where he displayed his excellent puck protection skills and some added composure and patience as a playmaker.
If Dvorsky can push his way into fulfilling the second-line center hole currently on St. Louis' roster, keep an eye on him as a candidate for the Calder Trophy.
The second Blues prospect that made the list was Jimmy Snuggerud. St. Louis drafted the 6-foot-2 winger 23rd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft and has really stood out at back-to-back World Junior tournaments for Team USA.
"With excellent vision and high-end read-and-react times, Snuggerud can play the game at any pace, making everyone around him better, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to defer a shot," Sportsnet wrote.
Snuggerud is headed back to the NCAA to play for the University of Minnesota for his Junior year. There is an expectation that when his season ends with the Gophers, he will sign his entry-level deal with the Blues.
St. Louis having two prospects within the top 12 of Sportsnet's list shows that the future is bright for the Blues.
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3 Bold St. Louis Blues Predictions in 2024-25
A look ahead at a few bold predictions that could come true for the St. Louis Blues during the 2024-25 season
Heading into the 2023-24 season, it would've been a bold statement to say Robert Thomas would score 19 more points than second place on the St. Louis Blues at the end of the season.
However, that's exactly what happened. The Blues number-one center had his best season to date and hopefully will get more support from the rest of the forwards in the upcoming season.
The Blues march into the season with an identical roster, but the core needs to step their game up if they want to get back into the dance. Below we make a few bold predictions that may come to fruition this season for St. Louis.
Joel Hofer Pushes For Jordan Binnington's Job
In 2023-24, Jordan Binnington slightly improved his play in the crease for his team, and the hope is that the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion is starting to return to form.
Yet, a young 24-year-old netminder is tickling Binnington's heels, and is coming off of a solid rookie season as the team's backup.
When Binnington had some inconsistency and poor play, Joel Hofer took over the net and received consecutive starts last season. The 6-foot-5 netminder performed and handled the workload like a professional and firmly established himself as an everyday NHL-caliber goaltender.
Hofer achieved a save percentage of .900 or higher in 20 out of 30 games played, making him one of the most consistent backup goalies in the 2023-24 season, alongside tendies like Semyon Varlamov, Anthony Stolarz, and Jonathan Quick.
Our prediction isn't that Hofer will steal the starting role from Binnington this season. Not yet at least. Instead, we're predicting that the former 2018 fourth-rounder will steal more games from Binnington and create a tandem situation in St. Louis where the two have a 40/40 split.
From a technical standpoint, Hofer is better than Binnington. Jordan at times can lose control of his edges and positioning when the play in front of him starts moving side-to-side rapidly. Hofer showcases a calmer demeanor and more poise. Joel has the makings of becoming a future starter in the NHL someday.
St. Louis Powerplay Finishes Top 10
The Blues' powerplay to start last season was abysmal. Before current Head Coach Drew Bannister took over for Craig Berube behind the bench on Dec. 12, 2023, the team's powerplay ranked 31st at a lowly 8.8%. They had scored only seven goals on 80 powerplay opportunities.
Bannister and with the help of former NHL all-star Brad Richards — who was hired as a special teams consultant shortly after Bannister took over — turned St. Louis' powerplay from a disaster into a threat.
In the 55 games under Bannister, the Blues had the 13th-best powerplay (from Dec. 12 to Apr. 18) with a 22.4 percentage. One change they made which clearly aided them was moving Jake Neighbours to the top unit.
Under Berube last season, Neighbours was averaging 1:09 PP TOI/GP. Under Bannister, those numbers jumped to 2:47 PP TOI/GP, along with seven powerplay tallies. Neighbours is terrific at redirecting pucks at the top of the crease and placing himself in spots to bang home rebounds on the man advantage.
St. Louis suffered a blow to their top unit with the news of Torey Krug's injury. Either Justin Faulk or Scott Perunovich should slide into that spot, but the powerplay runs through Robert Thomas anyway.
They have an elite playmaker (Robert Thomas) and goal scorers like Jordan Kyrou, Jake Neighbours, and Pavel Buchnevich to operate as a top-10 powerplay unit in the upcoming season and build off of what their powerplay was like at the end of last season.
Philip Broberg & Colton Parayko - No. 1 Defense Pair
This prediction is quite bold considering Philip Broberg has yet to establish himself as an everyday NHL player. But hear me out, the Oilers completely mismanaged and underutilized their former top 10 pick, and the smooth-skating Swede is just itching to break out of his shell.
It won't happen immediately, but we're saying that by the end of the season, the Blues' top defense pair will be Philip Broberg and Colton Parayko.
Parayko specializes on the defensive side of the puck. He's astute at using his extended reach and size to nullify rush chances and put an end to cycles. But he could use a young defenseman with the skating and puck-moving skills to kickstart the transition.
At 6-foot-3, Broberg is very athletic and a graceful skater who uses his feet to make impactful plays on both sides of the puck. He possesses good puck skills for a defender and produced 38 points in 49 AHL games last season.
A good NHL comparable for Broberg is Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley. Both defensemen were first-rounders because of their size, athleticism, and exceptional skating abilities. These kinds of defensemen have become extremely valuable in today's NHL because of how fast the game has become and how beneficial it is to have a defender with the reach and mobility to neutralize gaps at a quick pace.
Harley emerged as a top-four defender in Dallas when he was given the opportunity, the same could happen in St. Louis with Philip Broberg.
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5 Blues Players To Watch At The Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase This Weekend
St. Louis Blues fans will want to keep an eye on these five players participating at this weekend's prospect showcase
Blues fans get ready, hockey is back. The St. Louis Blues gear up for the fourth annual Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, set for Sept. 13-15. Fans will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the talented prospects within the organization.
The Blues won't have several former first-rounders in attendance — Jimmy Snuggerud, Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, and Adam Jiricek — as they prepare for their seasons in their respective leagues.
However, fans will see how the B and C-level prospects in the system look and fair against the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild prospects.
As we prepare for the prospect showcase, below we highlight five players from the Blues who fans should be keeping an eye on this weekend.
Dalibor Dvorsky
This one is a no-brainer. Not only will every single Blues fan focus on Dalibor Dvorsky and his every move at the showcase but so will the management team.
As mentioned in several summer articles, Dvorsky is preparing himself to challenge for a spot on the Blues' opening night roster. St. Louis's 10th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft will have every opportunity to showcase his talent and complete game at this weekend's showcase. He along with Zachary Bolduc should be the team's top performers.
One key area to watch for Dvorsky is his creativity and skill level in one-on-one scenarios. He's not necessarily a flashy puck handler, but can he create more time and space for himself with his hands in tight spaces, and then use it effectively to elevate his playmaking upside?
Zachary Bolduc
Zachary Bolduc is also expected to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. But, the acquisitions of Dylan Holloway and Mathieu Joseph mean that the Quebec native will have to work ten times harder to make the opening lineup.
It's not a hyperbolic statement to suggest that Bolduc should dominate this showcase. He played 25 games in the NHL last year, scored five goals and nine points, and earned reps playing in the top six to end the year. He and Dvorsky should be driving the offense for St. Louis this weekend.
Has his puck management and tenacity in his off-puck play improved? Those two aspects of his game need refining if he wants to be a full-time NHL player. He's got an above-average skill set and is an excellent skater who can drive the offense, but he's prone to forcing plays and turning the puck over.
Quinton Burns
Quinton Burns recently signed his entry-level contract with the Blues and is set to play for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL for the 2024-25 campaign.
The 6-foot-1 left-shot defenseman will not catch your eye with his offensive skills along the backend. Instead, he earns his money by taking care of the defensive zone first and being a real pain in the rear to play against. He's recorded over 100 penalty minutes in back-to-back seasons and plays an old-fashioned style. Burns is physical, rugged, and doesn't back down from anybody.
For Burns, it's all about how he defends, protects the front of the net, controls his gaps upon zone entries and in the corners, and makes smart reads on his first passes on the breakout. If he continues to show that he can do those fortes, he'll have a pro career. And potentially play for Team Canada for the 2025 World Juniors.
Juraj Pekarcik
Juraj Pekarcik was a savvy pick in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft by the Blues scouting staff. He blossomed at the 2023 IIHF Men's U18 World Championship on Slovakia with Dalibor Dvorsky and followed it up with a strong 50-assist season in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Pekarcik is the type of player that fans and coaches love. He's willing to play whatever role is needed and can do so because his hockey intelligence is his greatest attribute. He's strong at turning pucks over in the offensive zone and making quick passes upon retrievals to get the puck into the hands of his more skilled linemates.
At this weekend's showcase, you can expect to see Juraj support plays and utilized on both special teams. Being able to drive the offense for his line will go a long way and show strong growth in his offensive game.
Michael Buchinger
Michael Buchinger is heading into his first professional season after graduating from the OHL ranks. The smooth-skating left-shot defenseman was taken in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He put up 158 points in 176 games in his OHL career.
Buchinger will be an interesting case study as he turns pro. That's why watching him this weekend and how he performs will be advantageous. Arguably the strongest trait of his game is his skating and how he utilizes it on both sides of the puck. Defensively, he closes gaps with a leading stick well. And he pushes play up the ice in transition by either activating his feet and skating pucks up or moving it with a crisp, flat pass up to his forwards.
Although the points have been there in his OHL career, his talent level and offensive vision aren't on the same level as Adam Jiricek and Theo Lindstein. Envisioning him as an offensive specialist in the NHL is hard to see, but so is being a defensive specialist considering he's not big (six feet, 190 pounds) and doesn't play a mean defensive game.
Buchinger needs to show some added flair and creativity offensively, or, more snarl and grit defensively this weekend to prove that he has a future of becoming an NHL-caliber defenseman.
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Who Will Rise to the Challenge in Torey Krug's Absence on the Blues' Defense?
The St. Louis Blues need someone to step up and play in their top four with Krug out for the season
The St. Louis Blues suffered a major blow to their lineup when the team announced that Torey Krug will undergo ankle surgery and miss the entire 2024-25 season.
Krug's play hasn't been up to par over the last two seasons, but a significant factor for that reason would be that the defenseman has been battling an ankle injury for the past six years, which has never healed properly. He mentioned to the media on Wednesday that he struggled to manage the pain level of his ankle last season.
Hockey is a unique sport because of the skating aspect. Can you imagine performing at the highest level against the best players in the world for the last six years with an ankle that is constantly in pain and hinders your performance? We wish Torey Krug a speedy recovery.
His absence from the Blues lineup leaves a particularly big hole. Krug was one of the team's best puck-moving and offensive defensemen. And despite his smaller stature, he has never been one to shy away from the physical battles.
The organization needs someone to step up and fulfill Krug's spot in their top four D-corps and they have several players who could.
Scott Perunovich
The first candidate we're looking at is Scott Perunovich, who essentially is a Torey Krug 2.0.
Last season, Perunovich proved himself as a dependable player for the Blues, contributing on their third pair and occasionally on the powerplay. As the season progressed, the coaching staff entrusted him with a spot in the top four for the final six games, and he may begin the upcoming season where he left off.
The Blues will miss Krug's ability to quickly move pucks on breakouts and his skill of walking the blueline and creating offense from the point. These are qualities that Perunovich possesses in his playstyle.
The question is, will he become the high-end offensive defenseman he was projected to become when he won the Hobey Baker Award with the University of Minnesota-Duluth? Or, can he play a strong two-way game and defend at a high level, while earning the trust of the coaching staff to play 20 minutes every night?
Philip Broberg
St. Louis management had to have had an inkling that Krug was in danger of missing the entire season when they went out and sent an offer sheet to Philip Broberg.
Broberg is getting paid as if he should fill that hole in the team's top-four D-corps. However, rushing him into that role while he adjusts to his new team's system, surroundings, and living situation, could be disastrous.
Despite being three years younger than Perunovich, Broberg has more NHL games played than him, and the experience of playing in a Stanley Cup Final.
Although it would be wise for the team to start Broberg on the third pair with veteran defender Ryan Suter, Broberg should be itching to finally unleash his talent and prove he was worthy of that 8th overall selection by Edmonton in 2019.
He's got the desirable size for a defenseman (6-foot-3) and skates like the wind for a big man. Offensively, he reads the play well and understands when and where to jump up to assist the attack. Defense and his decision-making with the puck are the two main areas that have held him back in previous years.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph
P-O Joseph is an interesting case study in this debate considering he has the most NHL experience between him, Perunovich, and Broberg, but probably is seen as the third option to take Krug's spot.
For the past two seasons, Joseph has been a steady third-pairing blueliner for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's recorded 32 points and a plus-5 in 127 games in that role but was unable to elevate up the lineup.
The 6-foot-2 left-shot rearguard isn't a flashy defenseman. That can be a good and bad thing. There isn't one particular area of the game where he is poor (maybe his offensive skill level) but adjacently, he doesn't have a quality that is above-average from the rest of the pack.
That asks the question, what is Joseph as an NHL player? Is he a defensive specialist who can be relied upon in marquee defensive matchups and a regular on the penalty kill? Or, is he a specialist at 5-on-5 who can drive possession for his team?
Training camp starts in a couple of weeks and some players are already in St. Louis training. If we had to rank where these three would fall in the likelihood of replacing Krug's spot, it would be as follows:
- Scott Perunovich
- Philip Broberg
- Pierre-Olivier Joseph
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Blues Top Prospect Attends 2024 NHLPA Rookie Showcase
Several top prospects and rookies were in attendance for the 2024 NHLPA Rookie Showcase in association with Upper Deck, including Dalibor Dvorsky
The NHL season is almost here and on Wednesday, September 4th, a thrilling wave of 33 prospects and rookies descended upon the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.
Among the group of 33 prospects, the St. Louis Blues' organization had Dalibor Dvorsky represent them, as he prepares for the biggest training camp of his career.
Dvorsky will do his best to make some veteran Blues players' lives uncomfortable when training camp starts later in the month. The 19-year-old Slovak centerman has his eyes set on playing in the NHL for the 2024-25 season, but it will be a challenging feat.
GM Doug Armstrong has a lot of faith in his 10th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. A few months back, Armstrong jokingly said to the media that Dalibor could be the team's second-line center.
Now, that's a hefty responsibility for someone who has never played an NHL game, but it identifies one of St. Louis' weaknesses in their lineup.
Robert Thomas is their number-one center. Then, the organization has several players who can play down the middle of the ice in their bottom six — Radek Faksa, Alexandre Texier, and Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues can move Brayden Schenn or Pavel Buchnevich to center line number two, but they are better suited on the wing.
That leaves a hole that Dvorsky could fill if he knocks it out of the park at training camp.
The Sudbury Wolves of the OHL retain Dvorsky's rights, but he was not listed or is attending the team's training camp and preseason. The Wolves organization could see their 2023-24 all-star import forward return if things go south for him, but there's a good chance he will play in the AHL if he doesn't make St. Louis out of camp.
Multiple members from the Blues' front office have noted that Dalibor looks stronger. His ability to protect pucks while surveying for outlets has always been a strength in his game.
He mentioned that his transition from Sweden to North America last season went very well and was a really good move for his development. He already got a headstart adjusting to the smaller ice surface when he played in the OHL last year, but the NHL preseason will be vastly different from the OHL.
Now, if he is to crack the Blues' opening night roster, he has to show that his IQ and foot speed can keep up with the NHL pace.
Dvorsky playstyle is a two-way center and there are little doubts regarding his commitment to playing defense. However, outside of his lethal shot, his offensive tools aren't elite, and expecting him to come in and produce like a second-line center should at his age is unrealistic.
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