There is no doubt that the St. Louis Blues' defensive unit is being led by Philip Broberg this season. That was predicted over the summer, and it has come to be a reality right before our eyes through the first 12 games.
No. 6 has been fast, as referenced by NHL EDGE as having the fastest skating speed this season at 24.56 MPH, and dependable at over 23 minutes of ice time every night. Broberg has also been able to flip the ice all season long, skating the puck up-ice and establishing the neutral and offensive zone as amongst the best in the NHL to do so.
There is very little reason to not believe in one more big step for him this season, and it might be a necessary one as the Blues offensive output has taken a nosedive. Broberg will be the next great defenseman to reach the 10+ goal plateau, and it shouldn't come as a shock.
Let's talk about it.
Creating opportunities
Broberg has shown his ability to skate. We have all seen that.
But one of the biggest things that he brings to the table is being able to weave through the ice and maintain the puck in the offensive zone. The Blues have needed to do a better job at that, as they are below the NHL average in that category, but are the best in the league of maintaing the neutral zone in their favor.
During the superior 2-0 loss to Montreal, Broberg led the Blues with six shots on goal. Over the course of this season, he is only behind Mason McTavish (36) in shots on goal with 29.
Establishing a respectable offensive game
Broberg has two goals already on the year, which is a pace for 14 goals on the year. Well above and beyond the 10-goal threshold, which would shatter his career-high of eight, set back in his initial year with the Blues in 2024-25.
The last time a Blue scored more than 14 goals in a season was in that 2024-25 magical season, and Colton Parayko scored 16 goals. Broberg can blow past that marker, too.
The Blues are going to need Broberg to continue this offensive and defensive superiority when Logan Mailloux returns from injury. It has become a little bit of a free-for-all from head coach Jim Montgomery in terms of line shuffling, but once Mailloux returns, that top-pairing can be set.
That is when Broberg's potential will be fully unlocked.
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