The St. Louis Blues have had the pleasure of having Robert Thomas be there quintesenntial Most Valuable Player for the past few seasons. It is safe to say that he could, once again, be regarded as that once the 2026-27 season comes to an end.
But what if there was another player who could rise and take over as the next MVP of the Blues in this upcoming season? Let's talk about it.
Who could it be?
There are a couple of names here that fit the bill, or at least should when this upcoming season concludes. But the only player who should be deemed Most Valuable is the goaltender, Joel Hofer.
Hofer has not yet been named as the starter for next season, but it is basically a guarantee. The days of Jordan Binnington wearing the Blue Note are numbered, and his demotion to backup is the first step in this unusual time of his career.
Given that Hofer should be "the guy" going forward, and how well he performed with a lackluster roster in front of him in 2025-26, this should be an easy call to name him as the next MVP of the Blues. This is his team now, and they will only be as great as how he performs.
No. 30 was second in the NHL last season in shutouts with six, which was behind Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders, who had seven. Now that Brandon Carlo enters the mix, alongside a second-year of Logan Mailloux and the emergence of Philip Broberg as the team's top defender, that could be mirrored once again by Hofer.
Overall, the main goal for Hofer in 2026-27 to be able to achieve this team award is to keep his spot. He does not need to replace Binnington, but be himself and pave a new path forward. Binnington's legacy will be success, clutch moments, and a Stanley Cup, whilst Hofer can strive to do more than that and establish a new legacy for himself.
Why not Thomas?
Thomas is going to be uprooted this season, but that is not to say it will be done due to his disappointment on the ice. Rather, it is the opposite.
That first line of Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dylan Holloway has a great chance to be amongst the best in the Central Division next season, as well as the rest of the NHL. No. 18 has yet to eclipse the 100-point mark for a single season during his eight-year career thus far, and this is the best chance for him to do it.
If he can get over 100 points and help give Snuggerud and Holloway healthy chances to hit some pretty big milestones of their own through his playmaking ability, then he will win the team MVP. But if he cannot, it should be Hofer's for the taking.
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