ST. LOUIS — Every preseason I make some bold predictions for the St. Louis Blues, and every midseason I wonder why I keep doing it. I mean, talk about exposing yourself.
As you’ll read soon, the 2024-25 season is no exception.
This season, I kept my predictions pretty straightforward and realistic because I hoped it would lead to some good discussion in the comment section, and boy did it. There were over 150 responses, some who were understandably second-guessing me and one from subscriber Claes B. who wrote, “I’ll say you are right on 8 of 10.”
Hey, I’ll take that!
The Blues hit the halfway point of the season with a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night, so their record is 19-18-4 through the first 41 games of the season. They are two points out of a wildcard spot in the Western Conference standings, though several teams around them have some games in hand.
So before the Blues resume their schedule against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, let’s revisit my 10 preseason bold predictions. I’m also going to take this opportunity to hit the reset button and present 10 more for the remainder of the season.
Here we go!
Preseason predictions
Kyrou nets 40 goals and Thomas hits 100 points
Jordan Kyrou scored his 17th goal of the season against Columbus on Tuesday. You’ll have to follow my Rutherford math, but I’m going to illustrate why I was spot-on predicting 40 goals. With 17 goals in 41 games, Kyrou is on pace for 34. I did a little digging and he’s hit four posts and two crossbars this season, and 34 plus six equals — voilà! — 40.
Regarding Robert Thomas, I likely lost that one when he fractured his ankle blocking a shot in October, causing him to miss 12 games. He’s back and producing, but with 30 points in 29 games, he needs 70 points in the final 41 games to hit the 100-point plateau. But even if he’d played in the first 41 games, he’d project to 85 points, so a little short.
Buchnevich will be back at wing by November
This one was almost too easy. To be fair, I understand why the Blues tried to force the issue of playing Pavel Buchnevich at center — they didn’t have a lot of options and their win-loss record with him in the middle last season was favorable. But it’s been obvious that while Buchnevich was willing to do whatever helped the team, he’s a lot more comfortable on the wing, and that’s why he returned to his old position full-time in November.
Bolduc finishes top five in goals
This one is not looking great, but I’m still alive. Zack Bolduc was getting some traction when he scored in Vancouver on Dec. 10, which was his fourth goal in a seven-game stretch. But since then he has scored just once in his last 11 games, and he’s sitting in ninth place on the team now with five goals. I’m going to need him to get hot, but even if he doesn’t get there, the 21-year-old winger has gone through some good development playing 34 of 41 games.
Neighbours signs an 8-year extension
I’m kind of kicking myself because a “bridge,” or short-term contract, made the most sense for Jake Neighbours and several of you pointed that out in the comment section. After scoring 27 goals last season, you’re right, the 21-year-old still needed to prove himself. I just thought Neighbours might like the security of an eight-year extension, and the Blues could get him at a good price. His two-year contract ($3.75 million AAV) was good for both sides.
Staying in the Neighbourhood.
DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/U0YFadivh2
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 22, 2024
Dvorsky plays fewer than 15 NHL games
Blues prospect Dalibor Dvorsky hasn’t played any games yet, and I don’t believe there are plans to call him up from the American Hockey League after Slovakia’s quarterfinal exit at the 2025 World Juniors. The Blues are happy with his development, posting 11 goals and 21 points in 27 games in the AHL and five goals and nine points in five games at World Juniors, and want it to continue. But if he got recalled, 15 of 41 games is still reachable.
Broberg stays on the second D pair all season
I should know better than to write “all season” instead of “most of the season.” So I can’t take any credit for this one because, while Philip Broberg has played primarily in the second pairing with Justin Faulk (296:58 at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick), he’s also spent some time on the top pairing with Colton Parayko (108:36). Cam Fowler’s arrival has allowed the Blues to keep Broberg in the second pairing, which gives them more balance.
Perunovich unseats Suter in the starting lineup
OK, this isn’t going to happen and probably wasn’t going to happen. I wanted to be bold, and as many of you said, there was hope among Blues fans who’ve followed Scott Perunovich’s injured-riddled career that things could finally work for him this season. But while Perunovich has played in 24 of the team’s 41 games and had some good moments, Ryan Suter has not slowed down at age 39. He’s played all 41 games and averaged 21:28 of ice time per game.
Hofer makes five more starts than as a rookie
In 2023-24, Blues goalie Jordan Binnington started 55 games and backup Joel Hofer started 27. I predicted Hofer would get five more starts this season, so 32 on the year. Through the first 41 games, Binnington has started 28 and Hofer 13. If that trend continues, Binnington will start 56 and Hofer 26, which would be one fewer than last season. With the club involved in a close race to make the playoffs, I wouldn’t expect that to change.
Blues will sweep the Sharks season series
For context, I made this prediction because in the 2023-24 season, the Blues were 0-2-1 against the Sharks, who finished with the fewest points in the NHL (47). The Blues couldn’t beat them, so I tried to show some optimism. It took a miracle to win the first matchup 5-4 in overtime, and they needed a 3-2 shootout win to take the second meeting. With an opportunity to sweep the three-game series, though, the Sharks won the finale 4-3.
Bannister leads the Blues back to the playoffs
I’m already 0-for-1 and could be 0-for-2. After signing a two-year deal to become the Blues’ full-time coach, Drew Bannister was behind the bench for just 22 games (9-12-1) before being replaced by Jim Montgomery. And about those playoffs …
The Blues remain in the conversation and there’s still a lot of season left. But if they can’t beat the Buffalos and Columbuses of the world, or even win three straight games (0-6-1 in seven tries), it’ll be tough.
BREAKING NEWS: Drew Bannister has been relieved of his coaching duties. Jim Montgomery has been named the 28th head coach in franchise history. https://t.co/72NdjNpjaw #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 24, 2024
New bold predictions
Blues win three straight
It’ll finally happen this month. The Blues are just 8-9-1 at Enterprise Center this season, but after returning home from Minnesota this week, I say they’ll beat Anaheim, Columbus and Calgary for their first three-game winning streak. If not then, it may not happen because there are a lot of playoff-bound teams scattered throughout the schedule.
Saad stays in St. Louis
There have been a lot of trade rumors surrounding Brandon Saad. He responded with a hat trick against Ottawa last week and had more scoring chances against Columbus. If he continues to trend up, perhaps it will increase his trade value. But if he’s playing well, the Blues will keep him for a playoff push instead of trading him for a draft pick.
AND THAT’S THREE!!!!!!! #stlblues pic.twitter.com/zJoIHSq9q9
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 4, 2025
Binnington guides Canada to gold
Binnington has not been named the starting goaltender for Team Canada for the 4 Nations tournament in February, but it’s a strong possibility. If so, he’ll lead his country to a gold medal — and not that Binnington needs the confidence, but it will get his juices flowing to get the Blues in the playoffs when he returns.
Parayko sets offensive career highs
In his 700th NHL game, Blues defenseman Parayko scored his seventh goal of the season on a howitzer of a shot Saturday in Columbus. His career high is 10, which he’s hit three times in his 10 seasons with the club. He’ll score 15 goals this season for a new personal best and hit 40 points, also eclipsing his career high of 35 (three times).
7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ games — all in the ‘Note.
Congratulations, Colton! pic.twitter.com/XHpenvPjgC
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) January 5, 2025
Blues trade for Granlund
If the Blues are still in the playoff picture at the time of the NHL trade deadline on March 7, general manager Doug Armstrong will be exploring the market. While the team needs another scorer, those aren’t always available and they aren’t cheap. San Jose’s Mikael Granlund, 32 and a pending UFA, will be the guy who provides help at the No. 2 center.
Holloway finishes second in goals
Considering Dylan Holloway is currently second on the Blues in goals behind Kyrou with 14, it may not be bold to say he’ll finish there. But Neighbours, Buchnevich and even Thomas, who has played far fewer games, aren’t far behind. It would be quite an accomplishment for Holloway, who only had nine goals in the NHL coming into the season.
Walker leads the Blues in fights
Blues captain Brayden Schenn leads the team with three fights this season, including one at the Winter Classic that he wanted for the memory. Tied for second behind Schenn are teammates Nathan Walker and Tyler Tucker (two). Walker, the 5-foot-9, 187-pound fan favorite, will lead the Blues in one category this season, and it will be fighting majors.
Cole Reinhardt vs Nathan Walker from the Ottawa Senators at St Louis Blues game on Jan 3, 2025https://t.co/fVRyioib2N
— hockeyfights (@hockeyfights) January 4, 2025
Suter re-signs with the Blues
Defenseman Suter will turn 40 on Jan. 21 and I’ve already doubted him once, so I can’t do it again. He’s been a good fit with the Blues, and if there’s one thing Armstrong’s history tells us, he likes familiarity. Suter’s return on a one-year deal would provide the Blues with inexpensive depth, and if he finally starts to fall off next season, nothing is lost.
Snuggerud wins NCAA title, signs with Blues
Blues prospect Jimmy Snuggerud went back for his junior year at the University of Minnesota, where he has 11 goals and 28 points in 22 games this season. He wants to win an NCAA national championship with the No. 3 Gophers, and the title game is April 12 in St. Louis. He’ll do that and then join the Blues for their regular-season finale on April 15.
Montgomery leads the Blues back into the playoffs
Let’s try this again with the new coach. Admittedly, I don’t feel super confident about this because of their inconsistencies this season, but I’m just not sold on the teams around them in the standings: Vancouver, Calgary, Utah, etc. So with a veteran-savvy defense and continued improvement under Montgomery, they get in by the skin of their teeth.
(Photo of Colton Parayko: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
