As the Olympics rumble on, with NHL players participating for the first time since 2014, we've decided to take a moment and reflect on the performances of the players on the St. Louis Blues. Quite a few are representing their home countries in Milan, too!
We're kicking off these player grades with the Blues' top forwards, and we're considering "top" to include those that are averaging the most time on ice or have spent considerable time in the top half of the lineup. Injuries have made things a little wonky, with Dylan Holloway still third in average ice time among Blues forwards, but he's only played 34 games this season; when Holloway's in the lineup, he's a top forward, so he makes the cut despite a much lower number of games played. Let's start with the biggest names and work our way down.
Robert Thomas: B-
Speaking of injured players, it remains unclear whether top-line center Robert Thomas will rejoin the Blues when the league starts up again. There's also a chance he won't even be a Blue by season's end, constantly popping up on industry trade boards. For now though, his performance has been fine--while he hasn't lifted the Blues out of the basement this season, he's not the primary reason they're there, either. Eleven goals and 33 points in 42 games is a step back in production from the last few seasons, but his on-ice impacts are still positive.
Jordan Kyrou: B-
Like Thomas, Kyrou isn't the main reason the Blues have struggled this season. His scoring production is a bit below his usual pace and, due to injuries, he probably won't crack 30 goals this season, barring a tear down the stretch--still, 13 goals and 32 points in 47 games isn't terrible. What is frustrating, from a fan perspective, is Kyrou's ice time: his 16:13 ATOI is sixth among forwards. Kyrou's on ice metrics, however, are the best on the team--and it's not even remotely close, his 62.02 xGF% being nearly ten points higher than the next best Blue, Pius Suter, according to Natural Stat Trick. Everything looks strong under the hood, but Kyrou can't seem to convince the coaching staff he deserves more ice time.
Pavel Buchnevich: D+
It seems Buchnevich's scoring has come back to some degree in recent games, as he now sits at 34 points in 57 games--but he has struggled everywhere else and is a minus-15. That's not the sort of production or consistent play you want from a 30-year old signed to an $8-million AAV contract through 2031, because it's highly unlikely he's going to get better from here.
Dylan Holloway: C
What a let down this season has been after last year's breakout. It's difficult to fairly grade Holloway, given all the injuries, so he gets a (barely) passing grade; eight goals and 17 points in 34 games isn't the sort of production you want to see from the young winger in a contract year. Here's hoping he can put this year's struggles behind him on a bridge deal and prove last season wasn't a mirage.
Brayden Schenn: D
While he remains captain of the team, it's clear that Schenn's glory days are behind him: 12 goals and 24 points in 57 games, a minus-25 rating, and way out of his depth in a top-six role. He may bring plenty of off-ice value but, if we're looking at just on-ice contributions, he's been awful. The Blues will have some hard decisions to make about Schenn heading into the deadline and over the summer.
Jimmy Snuggerud: C+
Snuggerud gets a bit of rookie grace here, with 10 goals and 24 points in 45 games. A Calder competitor, he is not, but it's a fine rookie season, even if it is a bit of a let down after last year's blistering stretch of games and playoffs. He's been shuffled up and down the lineup, but has had plenty of top six and power play opportunity, and it's still a bright start to a, hopefully, long career.
Pius Suter: C-
Did you know Suter is fifth in average ice time among Blues forwards? It's true! Suter was a savvy offseason signing that hasn't panned out quite as well as expected, with only 15 points in 40 games. Like Schenn, Suter's being overleveraged--but the saving grace is his play driving, which is second best on the team after Kyrou at 52.83 xGF%.
Jake Neighbours: C
Neighbours's play driving struggles continue this season, with a 48.72 xGF%, and 14 goals and 25 points in 44 games isn't quite the career trajectory we got our hopes up about during his rookie season. At 23 years old, though, he's still young and there's potential for further development; this year, though, Neighbours hasn't been more than "fine."