If you’re a St. Louis Blues fan and you’re not stoked about the youngsters on the blue line who could work their way into the NHL, you need to get familiar with them. Now, if you are familiar, chances are you know a lot about Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Philip Broberg, Scott Perunovich, Tyler Tucker, and Matthew Kessel.
Let me know if I’m forgetting anyone, but those mentioned above should see at least a part-time role in the NHL at some point. Those like Joseph and Broberg could be there full-time, and maybe Perunovich, especially if the Blues end up making a trade or two when the season is in full swing.
Following the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, Michael Buchinger could have played his way into the conversation on Friday. Okay, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves: I’m not saying Buchinger will go on a miracle run in camp or anything and find himself in the opening-day lineup, but he’s one to watch if the Showcase gave us anything.
There’s yet another St. Louis Blues defenseman to watch in 2024-25
The goal Michael Buchinger scored this past Friday was nothing short of fantastic and one that should warrant fans to keep a closer eye on him in camp. When you’re a blueliner yet can make a play in the offensive zone like that, everyone who saw it will notice and keep tabs on you, even if you’re rather low on the organizational depth chart.
This also isn’t to say Buchinger won’t at least play a few games in the NHL this season if he keeps up his strong play in camp and with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. An alternate captain with the Guelph Storm last season, Buchinger spent his time in the OHL showing us that he can both regularly find the net and be a playmaker.
His first year in the OHL came in 2021-22, and Buchinger burst onto the scene when he scored five goals and 44 points in 63 regular season games before he came back and scored 15 goals and 67 points in just 61 outings. Yeah, that’s over a point per game, and while the trend didn’t continue in 2023-24, he still had 10 goals and 47 points across 52 contests.
Naturally, he’ll struggle through growing pains in camp and in the AHL, but knowing how well Buchinger adjusted to higher levels of play in the past, it won’t be long until he catches on in the pro game. He’s already off to a good start, and it’s been a continuation of what he gave Blues fans during his final two seasons in the OHL.