We're taking some time at this Olympic break to grade the players on the St. Louis Blues; we've done the top forwards and the depth forwards, and now we're moving on to the backend and looking at the Blues' regular defense group. Suffice to say, nobody's coming out of this with a glowing review. To qualify for a grade, defensemen must've played at least ten games (sorry, Hunter Skinner). Let's get into it.
Cam Fowler: F
At this time last year, GM Doug Armstrong looked like a genius for extracting Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks. One ill-advised contract extension and a disastrous season later, though, and the trade's not looking quite as good. Fowler has one goal and 18 points in 57 games this season, a minus-23, and and awful 47.47 xGF% at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. At 34 years old, it's hard to envision Fowler reverting back to the defenseman we saw last year.
Philip Broberg: A-
The scoring hasn't been prolific (only three goals and 19 points in 56 games), but Broberg leads Blues skaters in average ice time with 23:01 and is the only Blues defenseman with a positive expected Goals For percentage with 50.71. At 24 years old and with some developmental runway remaining, his $8-million AAV extension that kicks in this summer could turn into a steal. In fact, Broberg is the only player we've graded that's received an "A" or any kind--he's been that good relative to the rest of the team.
Justin Faulk: C+
Now a 1,000-game veteran, Faulk is a you-get-what-you-see defenseman whose 11 goals and 30 points leads Blues blue liners, though he's a net negative when it comes to play driving. He continues to pop up on industry trade boards and could be moved as soon as the March trade deadline but, if this is indeed his last season with the Blues, he's been the consumate professional.
Colton Parayko: C
For a defensive defenseman, Parayko's minus-15 is a pretty glaring indictment of his defensive play. Still, he was named to Canada's Olympic team, and that counts for something. Perhaps most surprisingly, his 49.77 xGF% is the second best mark among Blues defensemen. He's been fine, and his grade reflects that.
Tyler Tucker: B-
It's easy to forget that Tucker is still only 25 years old, but he's played nearly 150 NHL games--including 52 this season. Three goals and 13 points isn't superstar stuff, but his 47.66 xGF% is third among Blues defenders and his 50.52 CF% is the best (and only positive) mark. Tucker doesn't project as a minute-munching top-pair sort of defenseman, but he certainly looks like a solid third-pairing option for the next few years.
Matthew Kessel: C+
Much like Tucker, Kessel's showing he could be a third-pair option down the road--just not as effective. Offense isn't his calling card, with only two goals and three points in 22 games, but you could do a lot worse for a defenseman who's averaging 11:59 a game.
Logan Mailloux: D-
The only thing preventing Mailloux from receiving an outright failing grade is that he's a rookie, and growing pains are to be expected. His 46.04 xGF% is the worst among Blues defenders who qualify for this exercise, he's only scored a goal and three points in 42 games, his minus-23 is tied for worst among Blues defensemen, and he's struggling in sheltered minutes. Seeing Zachary Bolduc's success in Montreal makes the trade sting all the more. Mailloux's only 22 years old, so there's a ton of developmental runway left (and defensemen often bloom later in their careers), but this season ought to serve as a learning experience--here's hoping he comes back stronger next year.