The St. Louis Blues performed their first two preseason video games on Sept. 21 and 22, icing a mix of prospects, American Hockey League (AHL) gamers, and NHLers. Between the 2 video games, the Blues performed each prime ahead, defenseman, and goaltender on the roster apart from star forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou.
This begs whether or not the Blues are resting each gamers earlier than the season begins on Oct. 4 or benefiting from their power by placing them into the lineup on the proper time so they’re in good kind going into the common season. Right here’s a take a look at what to anticipate from them based mostly on their efficiency from final season and the way this transfer ought to profit Thomas and Kyrou forward of the 2024-25 common season.
Relaxation May Be a Make or Break for Thomas
After Thomas’s incredible 86-point efficiency by way of 82 video games final season, expectations for the upcoming common season are clear – he’s en path to changing into a 100-point participant. He was absolutely dedicated to being the Blues’ prime playmaker final season, ending with 60 assists, and helped create the perfect performs doable, even when the Blues struggled to climb the standings.
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If the Blues plan to play Thomas later within the preseason, it might lead to considered one of two issues: he performs higher than common, or he begins his preseason slowly however picks it up towards the start of the common season. Both method, it needs to be unattainable for him to flop this season; as he stated final season, he additionally wished to work on his defensive expertise, which may make him an all-around higher participant.
Getting two days of relaxation initially of the preseason will likely be nice for Thomas in the long term. He performed the complete 2023-24 season and will use the additional relaxation if the Blues plan to run him by way of the common season, assuming he stays wholesome. The remaining didn’t appear to assist Thomas as he was in a position to get two pictures on aim however didn’t rating any factors within the preseason matchup towards the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday (Sept. 25); it should most probably take Thomas a recreation or two to settle into his common kind from final season.
Kyrou Wants the Relaxation Extra Than Ever
Kyrou had a shocking hunch final season and didn’t enhance his totals from 2022-23. He completed with 67 factors by way of 82 video games, six factors behind his earlier 73 in 79 video games in 2022-23. He was second in factors final season and was main in factors the season earlier than that.
Shedding Kyrou’s offensive firepower was one thing loads of Blues nation didn’t anticipate; nevertheless, there was additionally the stress from his remark on former Blues head coach and now Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, which might’ve performed a pressuring issue onto Kyrou’s recreation. In December 2023, when he responded to the media concerning the firing of Berube, he acknowledged, “I’ve obtained no remark. He’s not my coach anymore.”
The Blues fanbase didn’t take the remark the proper method, and a recreation after Berube was fired, boos have been despatched Kyrou’s method. Primarily based on that, the stress from the fanbase for Kyrou was intense, particularly since he was going by way of a brutal hunch. Regardless of that, we did see some enchancment in his recreation close to the tip of the season, however by then, it was too late to make a severe playoff push.
Two further days of relaxation might assist him heat up forward of the common season so that he’s in fine condition to carry out effectively.
The Blues have many new faces on the roster, with extra versatility for Kyrou to click on with in the event that they need to check out totally different line mixtures. I anticipate to see him play with Jake Neighbours and Brayden Schenn. On Wednesday (Sept. 25), he performed his first recreation of the preseason and didn’t try this badly regardless of the Blues struggling a 3-0 loss to the Blue Jackets. He obtained three pictures on aim and was additionally paired with Thomas.
A Clear Slate for Thomas and Kyrou
This will likely be head coach Drew Bannister’s first full season as an NHL coach. Resting his greatest gamers within the preseason could appear odd, however possibly his plan is to present his most sturdy and star-studded forwards an opportunity to relaxation earlier than they go well with up for 82 video games.
Kyrou, 26, and Thomas, 25, are on the midpoint of their careers. They need to each be main the Blues in factors. Certain, Kyrou nonetheless has issues to work on, however he was an All-Star choice for the Blues in February 2024. Thomas earned his first All-Star choice final season. He’s now projected to affix Staff Canada for the 2026 Olympics and the 4 Nations Faceoff, and it might be an exhausting season of hockey if he juggles an enormous match just like the 4 Nations Faceoff.
