The Blues are entering a transition stage in their timeline where key pieces on the roster will stand out above the rest. The core is already set, with players like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Colton Parayko, and Brayden Schenn leading the way, but who could prove themselves this season and rise to the upper echelons of the team?
Philip Broberg
While Broberg did have an impressive first-year campaign with the Blues, there is reason to believe he could be primed for a true, full-season breakout.
Broberg started the 2024-25 season scorchingly hot, registering 9 points in the first 12 games of the year. He wasn't scoring a lot of goals himself, but his effective play in transition helped to create rush opportunities quickly developing the other way. Broberg was also a stalwart defender on the second pair, looking terrific in his sheltered minutes.
He suffered a moderately severe injury midseason and could not return until the end of November, missing about a month of play. When he came back, the Philip Broberg we watched was not the exact same Philip Broberg who started the year.
In his remaining 56 games, Broberg only put up 20 more points, which is a much lower rate of production. He slowed down offensively, not offering as much creation on the back end. However, he was still defensively excellent.
Broberg still looked good in the transition game, so there is a lot of hope for his bounce-back next season. There were several plays where Broberg got involved offensively, but he only just missed the cutoff to register a point or was poached by a great defensive effort from the opponents but the offensive upside still looks to be there with Broberg.
Not only could he return to form as a defenseman who could put up closer to 40 points in a season, there is a serious possibility he smashes this barrier and with a full offseason of recovery comes out firing next season as a legitimate two-way star on the blue line.
Zack Bolduc
One of the most exciting stories to unfold last season was rookie phenom Zack Bolduc. His year-end stats, however, do not inspire as much confidence as they felt watching the young skater play.
Bolduc finished the season with 19 goals, which is excellent for a rookie, but only 36 points to show for it. He was not producing or adding offensive value unless he was scoring goals, which is a profile that can lead to a tough NHL projection.
However, I think there is a lot of hope with Bolduc. 19 goals as a rookie is a very impressive mark to set as a baseline, and I would expect him to easily clear that mark next season and push more towards the 25-goal threshold.
Furthermore, Bolduc received significant playing time on the power play towards the end of the year, so a full year of special-teams development from the very promising special-teams player should only raise his ceiling as an NHLer.
Bolduc has a chance next year to jump from being a depth third liner to elevating himself firmly into the top-6.
Jimmy Snuggerud
The name Blues fans should have their eyes on most for the 2025-26 season is rookie Jimmy Snuggerud. Snuggerud impressed in his short sample last season in the regular season and in the playoffs, and is primed to take a massive leap forward.
Snuggerud only played seven games and recorded four points (1G 3A) in the regular season, and in the first round of the playoffs he put up another four points (2G 2A). Jimmy was a very hyped prospect in the Blues system, considered by many to be the next future star in St. Louis, and what he showed proved to be just that.
Putting up a half of a point per game in his first NHL action is already an impressive mark for any 20-year-old skater. Doing so again in the playoffs as one of the team's best players is a step even further beyond, meaning this kid could be special.
Snuggerud impressed at his very young age and put up production to match. He showed an impressive hockey mind for playmaking and creativity, proving to be a very effective teammate on the ice. His body control was truly phenomenal, showing off a nice physical floor to fill out his 6'1" frame. Snuggerud also showed good enough skating to match his intensity and creativity.
The sky truly is the limit for Jimmy Snuggerud, and he already looks ready to be the next great Blues skater in franchise history. The heights he achieves are still being written, but fans would be wise to keep a close eye on #21 for next season and many seasons to come.