In a game centered on points, in both team and individual play, this begs the question, who were the most talented St. Louis Blues players in the 2023-24 season?
Points might not capture all of a hockey player’s attributes, such as blocked shots, hits, and leadership qualities, but they do tend to underline the talent within each existing roster.
The top five-point leaders for the 2023-24 season were:
There’s no surprise at number one, as Robert Thomas earned his first All-Star appearance this season. Jordan Kyrou was also the leading scorer for the Blues, followed by Pavel Buchnevich. Once Buchnevich’s name passes, the point leaders fall drastically to the 40s.
Nevertheless, the last two skaters in the top-five category have commonalities. Both Brayden Schenn and Brandon Saad are veteran players, Cup-winners, and proven scorers at one point in their careers.
Schenn significantly decreased his point total from 2022-23 (65 points). This might worry some fans, but with his impressive career, a down year might be justified for a team in transition.
It’s clear both Schenn and Saad are valuable assets to the St. Louis Blues, not only in their production but also in their voices and experience in the locker room. The biggest stats are definitely Thomas and his career highs. Fans can’t wait to see even more points in the future.
The recent signing of Buchnevich to an extension also gives fans a sense of relief, as one of the top goal-scorers is locked in for the years to come. And while Kyrou’s sole All-Star appearance was a few years ago (2022), he’s still the leading scorer in back-to-back years, proving his reliability as the top skater in this category.
Are the total points enough to get the Blues into the post-season? This remains the ultimate question. The Blues had a decent season, but unlike a talent-heavy team like the Colorado Avalanche, they lack any primary weapon outside Thomas and his outstanding year. Though, there are signs of great optimism.
Can Kyrou replicate his past success? Will Jake Neighbours, a promising young talent, become a more serious threat?
Answers to such questions weigh into playoff talk and overall performance. The Central Division is loaded with talent, and the Blues will need to continue their success from last year and add even more talent to their roster if they wish to compete with some of the league’s best teams in the upcoming season.