The St. Louis Blues fell to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-1, in the second part of a back-to-back homestand that both ended in losses. Not ideal.
One positive note to take away from these past few games that have not gone in the Blues way is that their rising young star is continuing to shine. Jimmy Snuggerud, who now has five goals and six assists for 11 points on the season, is pulling his weight as a 21-year-old rookie.
But can he do more, and does he have to be the one to bring this team out of the bottom of the Central Division?
Can Snuggerud possibly do more?
The Blues have not been able to establish much of an identity or a consistent game so far through 19 tries this season. It has not been anything like the end of last season, whose success came partly due to the emergence of Snuggerud.
Fast forward to the present, and Snuggerud is continuing to gain solid game experience and using it to put up numbers in the box score. Looking around the top-six forward group, he is keeping up with established veterans like Robert Thomas, who has 12 points,and Jordan Kyrou, who also has 11 points on the year.
Needless to say, Snuggerud has done his part. He has shown promise on the power play and at even-strength, and in his first full-fledged campaign, is handling the bumps and bruises of a rougher game.
Can he pull this team out of the bottom?
Snuggerud, as well as Dalibor Dvorsky and Logan Mailloux, are expected to be the future of the Blues core. Yes, Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, and Philp Broberg are also young enough to be considered in that core group. But Snuggerud holds a special place in this team's future success as he has shown the most potential.
Justin Carbonneau, the recently drafted prospect who is lighting the Junior Hockey world on fire and continues to douse the flames, also has a special place in the future. Snuggerud and Carbonneau could be a lethal 1-2 punch.
For now, Snuggerud has to figure out how to up his production as a young player. Looking at the Calder Trophy vote, it is likely going to be a runaway for Matthew Schaefer from the New York Islanders, as he is transforming the game over there on Long Island. Snuggerud might come close, but not enough to win it.