Top 5 forwards the St. Louis Blues must have on their shortlist in the 2024 NHL Draft

Maxim Masse, Chicoutimi

We talked about how Tij Iginla broke out as a dynamic scorer this season, but Maxim Masse has spent two years in the QMJHL regularly contributing and finding twine often. In 2022-23, Masse put up 29 goals and 62 points in 65 regular season contests, and that number increased to 36 goals and 75 points in 67 matchups this past campaign.

He was also a dynamic power play asset, as Cap Friendly reminded us that 13 of Masse’s goals came on the man advantage. While his numbers show us he’s a great shooter, the real question is whether Masse is as good as advertised or if the Chicoutimi Sagueneens just played well offensively. 

That’s a valid question, as the Sagueneens finished in the top half of the league with 247 goals, including fourth out of 10 teams in the Eastern Conference. But this is also a team that finished in the middle of the pack in the QMJHL and saw their playoff run end in a four-game sweep to Cape Breton in the second round. 

So it’s more appropriate to say Masse played for an above-average team and that his overall drive, feel for the game, and ability to build epic chemistry with his linemates made the Sagueneens a better hockey team.