It's no secret here at Bleedin' Blue: we're fans of Nick Bjugstad's game. While he's on the older side at 33 years old, he should still be an effective bottom-six option for the St. Louis Blues, whether that's at center or as either a left or right winger. A big body with some scoring ability, Bjugstad is an NHL general manager's dream third or fourth-line player.
Of course, Bjugstad's usage will play a major part in his success. For all his positives, putting Bjugstad in an elevated role in a team's top-six forward group for extended periods of time is a risk; his career average time on ice is 14:46, right in line with a third liner, and last year his average ice time with the Utah Mammoth was 12:19. He was effective in those minutes, though, potting eight goals and 19 points through 66 games.
First season expectations
That's about what we should expect from Bjugstad during his first season with the Blues: a veteran, depth role player who can give you a handful of goals, whose positional versatility is one of their strongest assets. At his age, health may be a concern--he hasn't played a full 82 games since he was 25, back in the 2017-18 season--but the Blues have sufficient depth to step up should Bjugstad go down with injury.
For his first year with the team, we'd like to see Bjugstad score a bit more than he did last season. That shouldn't be an issue, considering the Blues have a more established roster than the Mammoth, which was quite a young team going through growing pains in a new city in 2024-25.
A 10-goal, 25-point season seems well within reach for Bjugstad if he can remain healthy. Alongside potentially the best fourth-line in hockey with Alexey Toropchenko and Mathieu Joseph, this trio could be a difference maker. Even with their limited minutes, watch out for that line.