ST. LOUIS — A week ago, I had my turn to come up with 10 bold predictions for the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25.
The early read on a few of my predictions isn’t too bad. I projected 40 goals for Jordan Kyrou and 100 points for Robert Thomas, and in overtime Thursday night, it was Kyrou scoring on a pass from Thomas for a 4-3 overtime victory. I felt that prospect Dalibor Dvorsky might play fewer than 15 NHL games this season, and Dvorsky has since been re-assigned to AHL Springfield.
But not all of them were so smooth.
I made a case for Scott Perunovich unseating Ryan Suter in the third defensive pair, and Perunovich may not even make the roster. I also wrote that Zack Bolduc will finish top five in scoring on the team, and he, too, may see some more seasoning in Springfield.
That’s the fun of this, right?
Well, now it’s your turn. The Athletic asked subscribers for their bold predictions, and as always, you came through. I’ve split them into several categories and will offer some brief thoughts on each prediction.
Remember to bookmark this article, and at the end of the season, we’ll see how many correct predictors we have in the fan base.
The wacky
Joel Hofer gets a fighting major before Jordan Binnington does. — Jeff T.
There may not be a more laid-back player in the locker room than Hofer. Like, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him utter a word unless you ask him a question. I guess if you subscribe to the old adage, “It’s the guy you least expect …” then perhaps Hofer will be Binnington to the punch (get it?). But my money is still on a Binnington brawl. Even though he’s toned things down lately, I still think we’ll see it. So Hofer may score a goal before Binnington, but I think Binnington gets the first fighting major.
Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway become centerpieces with the Blues, much to the chagrin of the Edmonton Oilers, whose fans boo the pair mercilessly on their return to Edmonton on Dec. 7. The game ends with an overtime winner by Jordan Kyrou, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl fight Broberg and Holloway in a tag-team throw down. — Sofa Kingdom
So we’re two questions in, and I’m sensing a theme: you all missed fighting this summer?
Alexey Toropchenko earns the nickname “Ranger” for his long reach and 200-foot range of play. Our identity line with Nathan Walker, Alexandre Texier and Toropchenko is dubbed “The Chuck Norris line: Walker-Texier-Ranger” and blows up on social media. — Peter S.
I don’t know where to start here. Before I say anything, however, thank you for not asking about people throwing punches at each other. OK, now for this nickname for the Blues’ identity line. I commend fans who put time into this, and you obviously did that. I don’t mind the name, but getting “Ranger” to catch on may be a little tough. How about I’ll ask Toropchenko what he thinks about it, and we’ll go from there?
The stat projections
Jake Neighbours scores 40-plus goals. — James W.
After the last section, it’s hard to switch to a serious mindset, ha! OK, let me focus: Neighbours, 40 goals? What do I think? I like him a lot, but I’m going to say no. For starters, opposing teams will have his name circled this season, so he’s not going to surprise anyone. Secondly, he had an abnormally high shooting percentage (18.6 percent), which could come down a bit. That said, he is penciled in on the top line and the No. 1 power-play unit. Still, I’m going to say he finishes with 30.
Kyrou finishes with more points than Thomas. — Braden D.
I don’t see it. Again, I predicted 100 points for Thomas and 40 goals for Kyrou, which, if that comes true, then Kyrou needs 60 assists to catch him. Kyrou did have 48 helpers in 2021-22, so it’s possible. But I think Thomas will lead the team in points, and it’ll be a double-digit difference.
The Blues’ power play will be ranked among the top five in the league. — Jaykobius B.
As I wrote this week, I was impressed with the Blues’ power-play goal Tuesday against Columbus. But I wasn’t that impressed to be fully on board for this. Baby steps!
The awards
Jordan Binnington finishes top three in Vezina Trophy voting. — Trevor S.
Binnington should have been a top-three finalist in 2023-24, and if he didn’t get enough support last season, perhaps voters (league GMs) aren’t going to give it to him this season, either. But he’s got a better defense in front of him this year, so maybe they’ll have no choice if he puts up even better numbers.
Thomas also earns his first votes as a Selke Trophy candidate. — David W.
He finished 25th in Selke voting last season, despite 86 points and some of the hardest minutes in the NHL against other teams’ top lines. He will certainly get votes this season, and I’ll give your bold prediction a boost by saying that he’ll be a top-three finalist.
Justin Faulk is considered for the All-Star Game. — John E.
Well, I want to agree with you because Faulk has looked great in training camp. But unfortunately for him, there will be no All-Star Game this season because of the league incorporating the 4 Nations Face-Off into the schedule.
All things Binnington
Binnington starts for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. — Christian W.
If Binnington plays like he did last season, I think this will come true. I like Binnington better than Canada’s other options: the Edmonton Oilers’ Stuart Skinner and the Vegas Golden Knights’ Adin Hill. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong isn’t Canada’s GM for the 4 Nationals Face-Off (that’s Boston’s Don Sweeney), but he is heading the management staff and may have some input. Binnington has long wanted to represent his country in the Olympics, or a tournament like this, and will have his mind set on it.
Craig Berube, the ex-Blues coach and current Toronto Maple Leafs coach, makes a trade for Binnington at the deadline. — Brian R.
I was wondering how long it would take until we got our first mention of Berube. As far as I know, Berube likes Binnington, but with Toronto’s cap constraints and the fact that they just signed St. Louis-area native Joseph Woll to a three-year contract, I don’t believe a Binnington homecoming is in the cards.
The Blues acquire Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman for Binnington and a first-round pick swap. — MS.
As a reporter, selfishly, I want to cover the goalie who’s going to make the most headlines, ha! Right now, it’s definitely Swayman. If the Bruins and Swayman can’t heal their wounds, perhaps they will move him. But I can’t see the Blues being interested in paying Swayman what he wants when they have Binnington at $6 million for the next three seasons and Hofer waiting in the wings.
Statement from Jeremy Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross below refuting the $64M figure mentioned by Cam Neely earlier today ⤵️ https://t.co/SncpCaPXRA
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 30, 2024
The postseason, future
The Blues start the season 81-0 and Dom’s model has them at a 43 percent playoff chance. — David L.
Poor Dom! When his Blues’ season preview is published every year, I squint when I open up the article. When I saw that he had the Blues projected for 81.8 points this year, I knew Blues fans wouldn’t be thrilled. Still, I stand by my colleague, and I can promise you that if the Blues are 81-0, he will definitely have them making the … OK, I can’t promise everything!
The Blues finish third in the Central Division and make no significant trades at the deadline. — David W.
I’m thinking more wild card than top-three in the division. I like the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars at the top. The Winnipeg Jets may drop off a bit, but they’re still a contender. I like what the Nashville Predators did this summer, too, and the Utah Hockey Club could be pesky. Regarding your prediction about the Blues’ standing pat at the deadline, you could be correct, but if they’re showing strong within the division, I would think they might move an asset to better themselves.
The Blues will win the Western Conference, but lose in the Stanley Cup Final. — Bernard S.
OK, let’s put down the wine.
Would be cool
The Blues acquire Robert Bortuzzo at the trade deadline. — Troy C.
Bortuzzo was a joy to cover. If you haven’t heard, after his trade to the New York Islanders, he became an unrestricted free agent this summer and signed a one-year, two-way contract with Utah. If he’s on their roster on Nov. 7, when the team visits the Blues at Enterprise Center, I believe that Bortuzzo will receive one of the loudest ovations we’ve heard for a returning Blues player. I don’t believe, unfortunately, that we’ll ever see him back in a Blues sweater.
Dalibor Dvorsky will play well in the AHL and will be on the Blues by the Winter Classic. — Harry L.
That would mean great for two reasons: No. 1, it means Dvorsky is living up to expectations, and No. 2, it means the Blues could potentially have a good, young player to go head-to-head with Connor Bedard for years to come.
Jimmy Snuggerud makes the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Louis, and then gets to dress in the final Blues game of the year on April 15th and scores a goal. — Clark S.
This would be something! I know there are many Blues fans who are worried about Snuggerud going through with all four years at Minnesota and becoming a free agent. In talking to him on several occasions, I don’t get the impression whatsoever that that’s his intention.
A lot of leaders = A lot of letters
Introducing our 2024-25 Leadership Group 🫡
Ryan Chesley – C
Mike Koster – C
Mason Nevers – C
Jimmy Snuggerud – C
Aaron Huglen – A
Cal Thomas – A📰: https://t.co/iKD7FTmbnw pic.twitter.com/xBrP7XP6NK
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) October 2, 2024
You said what?
We finally go a full season without losing to Arizona. San Jose remains an issue, though. — Sean G.
I predicted the Blues would sweep the Sharks, who won all three games of the season series in 2023-24. I’m not confident, however.
Jordan Kyrou will get traded in 2025. — Jason W.
Kyrou’s full no-trade clause kicks in next summer, so if the Blues ever wanted to move him and have control of the destination, it would be in 2025. But it’s the old Catch-22: if he’s playing, he’s staying put. If he’s not, who is trading for him?
Drew Bannister gets fired before the season ends. Claude Julien will be named interim. — Scott F.
I think Bannister will be with the Blues through his two-year contract. They’re still paying Berube, and why would they want to pay another coach while they’re retooling? I asked Julien about the perception of him taking over one day, and he downplayed that idea. Anything is possible, but unless the Blues’ core group decides not to play for Bannister — and shame on them — I think that he’ll remain here and at least take the organization through the next stage.
Sorry, not happening
The Blues find a second-line center on the waiver wire. — Bill P.
I see you play fantasy hockey!
The Blues acquire Brady Tkachuk. — Scott F.
This is why I’ll always have a job covering the Blues, because this storyline will never go away.
Diamond Sports Group folds, and the Blues air the majority of their regular season games on Victory+ free for everyone in the St. Louis region. — Tom W.
For now — and when I say “for now,” I literally mean this minute — they will remain on Bally. But it’s anybody’s guess as to what the future holds.
(Photo of Jordan Binnington playing the puck: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
