This time next week, the St. Louis Blues 2024-25 season will officially have begun. It will be the 58th season for the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions. As we inch closer to the opening game, let us take a look at some bold predictions for the 2024-25 Blues.
2024-25 Blues Bold Predictions
Bold Prediction #1
120+ Goals Between Four Players
Last season, the Blues scored 239 goals. In 2024-25, four players will combine for about 50% of that if not more. Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jake Neighbours will score at least 30 goals each for the Blues. This is not a tall order for any of them. Buchnevich and Kyrou have hit the 30-goal mark at least one each. While Thomas and Neighbours have not hit the mark yet, both have come close. In fact, Neighbours would have likely scored 30 last season if it had not been for an injury late in the season.
These four players make up the core of the Blues team. With Buchnevich signing an extension this summer, all four players are locked up for multiple seasons, albeit Neighbours is still playing under restricted free agent status. It would be a great way for these four to establish themselves not only as the Blues core but as one of the best cores in hockey.
In baseball, the New York Yankees had a “Core Four” in the late-90’s and early-2000’s. Perhaps the Blues can establish their own “core four.”
Bold Prediction #2
Thomas the Tank Reaches 100
No, we are not talking about that “cheeky little engine” we all loved as children. We are talking about the All-Star centre, Robert Thomas. In 2024-25, Thomas will become the first Blue since Brendan Shanahan to record 100+ points in a season. Thomas set a career-high with 86 points. Thomas can get those extra 14 points on the power play, which will look to improve under the guidance of new coach Claude Julien.
Bold Prediction #3
Youngster Finishes Top-Five in Calder Voting
Defenceman Barret Jackman was the last Blue to win the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. While that is likely to not change this season, a youngster will finish in the top five.
He entered training camp without a set role, but Zachary Bolduc has played himself onto the roster. The former first-round pick has impressed this preseason and has been a positive force on the ice in every game he has played. Furthermore, the Blues may need someone for the opening trip if Brandon Saad misses it due to his wife expecting their next child. The Blues have even been preparing for that by having Bolduc skate with the top lines.
Bolduc only played in 25 games last season, which means he is still considered a rookie. In fact, the absolute maximum a player can play before no longer being considered a rookie is 25 games, so Bolduc just makes the cut. Bolduc will have a full-time role this season, and while he may not take home the Calder, he will be in the mix.
Bold Prediction #4
Team Trades Young Defenceman
The Scott Perunovich era in St. Louis will end rather anticlimactically. Someone who was once projected to be a force on the power play has not been able to take advantage of opportunities. While he has not had many, and injuries have also prevented him from taking the ice, the Blues just have so many options at defence now. Colton Parayko or Justin Faulk will likely lead the team’s first power play unit this season. Veteran Ryan Suter and newcomer Philip Broberg will take up roster spots that may have gone to Perunovich. There is just no place for Perunovich on this team.
The team that acquires Perunovich will likely not have to give up much in a trade. It will be a low-risk trade by the team. Furthermore, a change of scenery may be what Perunovich needs to break out in the NHL.
Playoff Implications?
If some of these bold predictions do happen, it would certainly help the Blues contend for a playoff spot. The Blues have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010 and 2011. The Blues will be an interesting team to watch this season. Even if they do not make the playoffs, some of these bold predictions will certainly make for some fun hockey.
Main Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
