The loss of Robert Thomas is resonating throughout the St. Louis Blues roster. More importantly, it’s having an impact on many facets of the game.
Most notably, Thomas would have been likely one of the top-three shooters in the most recent shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Brayden Schenn stole the show here with an attempt that was every hockey player's worst nightmare.
DISASTER for Brayden Schenn in the shootout as he loses the puck, and the Canucks win it with their next shooter 😭😫 pic.twitter.com/c2cUdRMJvf
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 31, 2025
Alas, we move on to Columbus, and once again, No. 18 is not suiting up. The Blues are sorely missing their top scorer from the last couple of seasons.
Missed in the lineup
Obviously, with his absence, head coach Jim Montgomery had to change things around. It seems like that is his favorite activity this season has been to shuffle the lines around, and with how the Blues have been playing this season, it makes sense to try and figure it all out.
Pius Suter and Schenn have both seen time on the top line to replace Thomas, to some success. Obviously, it was not the same as having Thomas out there, but it was not a complete disaster, as the top line was still able to be competitive.
Enter Dalibor Dvorsky, who was called up prior to the Vancouver game and held his own in his 2025-26 debut. The Blues are going to have to count on him until Thomas is able to give it a go, and if he continues to compete, Montgomery might have to try and find some room for the former first-round pick from 2023.
Thomas is the best forward on this team, no matter what way you slice it. This team is floundering for reasons other than goal-scoring, but without his 200-foot game, defensive woes continue to wane. Couple that with the horrific goaltending start, and there is a lot of bad going on with the Blues.
Thomas's return could certainly help right this ship.