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St. Louis Blues: Grading Blues Performances In October

By Jason Martin

ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 27: Zach Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Enterprise Center on October 27, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 27: Zach Sanford #12 of the St. Louis Blues is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks at Enterprise Center on October 27, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Look on St. Louis Blues defenceman Vince Dunn (29) during the St. Louis Blues versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 17, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – OCTOBER 17: Look on St. Louis Blues defenceman Vince Dunn (29) during the St. Louis Blues versus the Montreal Canadiens game on October 17, 2018, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Vince Dunn

Grade: B+

Vince Dunn was one of the best rookie defensemen the Blues have had since, well, Colton Parayko. The sophomore slump is a real thing, but to start October, Dunn is arguably the Blues best defender.

Not only does Dunn excel defensively for the Blues, but he has been trusted to be the point man on the first powerplay unit. Two of his three goals of the season have come on the powerplay including one helper with the man advantage.

The powerplay for the Blues last year was lacking talent, and Dunn did not see time on any unit until much later in the season. However, his ability to see plays developing and then execute key passes is something that this team hasn’t seen since Kevin Shattenkirk.

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Dunn, like many other Blues defensemen, has a negative +/- at -2, but Yeo has trusted him enough to place him on the top pairing with Pietrangelo and has slowly given the 22-year-old more critical minutes.

Dunn has been one of the best players for the Blues this season, and his defensive awareness is only going to continue to develop as he gets more experience.

The only thing keeping Dunn from getting an “A” is because Yeo has not given him more opportunities to excel in big situations late in games. Despite this, Dunn is still off to a great start to the season and has been one of the Blues best.

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