Over the past couple of seasons, the leader of this St. Louis Blues team has been Brayden Schenn. After being named captain during the 2023 season, Schenn has been crucial to their success on the ice and to keeping the locker room together. This is no easy task, and it's something few can do. Not only do you have to be a constant producer on the ice, but you also have to make sure the locker room is together and not fractured. For that, Schenn deserves a lot of credit.
However, this season has not been a good look for Schenn's leadership abilities. Just under the halfway point of the season, the Blues have been one of the worst teams in the league. They have a record of 11-14-7 and have the fourth-lowest point total in the league. This is when Schenn needs to step up and inspire the team. If he can not do this, they need a leader who can.
It's time for Brayden Schenn to be a leader or he will be on the move
One of the biggest things a captain can do is lead by example. Put in strong performances and have high point totals to demonstrate what needs to be done in order to win. This season, Schenn has played a bit below expectations. In 32 games, he has six goals and seven assists for 13 points. His advanced metrics are not much better, as he has a 48.16 CF%, a 52.11 SCF%, and a 49.72 xG%.
While these numbers are not terrible, it's clearly not enough for the Blues to win games. A captain's performance goes a long way in determining how the team plays. He should be one of the top point producers and help evaluate everyone else. If he is not a top point-getter, he should be the raw guy who inspires the club. You should see him hyping up his teammates and making sure the team is together. Two things that Schenn has not done this season.
If there is any team that knows the importance of locker room chemistry, it's the Blues. The main reason they won the Stanley Cup in 2018-19 was the chemistry. The vibes were high, and we saw a unit that played like a team and not as individuals. This can be seen in things like playing the song Gloria and the post-game celebrations. If that locker room had been fractured or less cohesive than it was, the Blues likely missed the playoffs that season.
If these struggles persist and Schenn continues to play at an average level and provide non-vocal leadership, the Blues will have to move on from him. Given how young the Blues are, they need a vocal leader to inspire the club and help them through the season's rough periods. Moving him will not only allow this potential leader to shine, but will send a message that what is going on is unacceptable and the team needs to play better.