Thanks to their so-so, at best production last season, there’s a good chance the St. Louis Blues won’t be hot on the fantasy hockey radar in 2024-25. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have players who could potentially hit even the 100-point mark. And if you’re a Blues fan, you know who I’m talking about.
But, with one prominent player receiving a new contract and another one on the rise, there is still a good bit of talent for the taking in Gateway City for your fantasy team. Which three players am I excited to see reward fantasy owners in 2024-25? Let’s start with a forward who should lead the team in points once again.
Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas is one player who I can see hitting the 35-goal mark following what was an epic 86-point outing last season. What makes Thomas such an interesting player for fantasy hockey isn’t just his ability to contribute offensively but the fact that he can steal pucks and create his own opportunities, which means the potential for more playmaking or calling his own number.
Further, Thomas should see between 20-and-a-half to 21 minutes on the ice this season, so if he stays healthy, 2024-25 should be his best season yet in the Lou. Look for him to go in the early rounds if you’re in a large league, but even if you play in a smaller league, Thomas shouldn’t fall past the middle rounds.
Pavel Buchnevich
A new contract for Pavel Buchnevich will help the Blues in more ways than one, as he’s already an established player who now has the needed accountability to live up to his deal. Last season, Buchnevich logged just 63 points, but with a decent core of players who will only get better, he has the potential to once again cross the 70-point threshold, much like he did during his first year in Gateway City.
Buchnevich is likely a mid-rounder in larger leagues, and in leagues with between eight and 12 teams, there’s a good chance he sticks around until late. Keep an eye on him if you play in the latter, and if he slips toward the final rounds, take him.
Jake Neighbours
Jake Neighbours finished last season with just 38 points, but he also broke out with 27 goals, meaning he’s well worth keeping tabs on in your fantasy draft. There’s a good chance Neighbours will build on that epic run, so he’s more than worth taking in the back half of the draft if you’re looking for a sleeper.
The only question is how much ice time will Neighbours get, as there’s a chance he may be in the middle or even the bottom-six. That could pose a risk, but he still makes for a great value player who should make the most of his opportunities.
(Statistics powered by Hockey-Reference)