{"id":472726,"date":"2025-07-23T18:32:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T22:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=472726"},"modified":"2025-07-23T18:32:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T22:32:43","slug":"analysis-of-the-st-louis-blues-2025-26-forward-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/07\/23\/analysis-of-the-st-louis-blues-2025-26-forward-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Analysis of the St. Louis Blues 2025-26 Forward Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are in the final days of July. It will not be much longer, and NHL training camps will open. Teams have been working this summer to create a roster capable of achieving their individual goals for the 2025-26 season. The St. Louis Blues have NOT been an exception. Their forward and defensive groups will look different this season than they did last year. Today, we will take a look at the team’s forward group for the 2025-26 season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Analysis of Blues Forward Group<\/span><\/h2>\n

We will use the line combinations posted on the <\/span>Daily Faceoff<\/span><\/a><\/em> website. Please note that while the website keeps the lines updated during the season, the line combinations posted during the summer are primarily speculative, rather than confirmed lines by a team. However, it does provide us with a framework in which to begin our analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

As we review each line, if we believe a change is necessary, we will note it and explain the change.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without further ado, let’s get started!<\/span><\/p>\n

First Line<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pavel Buchnevich<\/a> – <\/span>Robert Thomas<\/a> – <\/span>Jimmy Snuggerud<\/a><\/h4>\n

This is the top line the Blues used late in the season and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is a first line that carries a lot of potential but also some question marks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas is the main piece of this line. The 26-year-old is coming off back-to-back 20-goal, 60-assist, and 80-point seasons. Thomas has developed into an elite centre in the league. Last season, he received votes for the Hart and Selke Trophies, and we expect that to continue. Thomas is a player who can score himself but also set up teammates. Do not be surprised to see a 100-point season shortly for Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Buchnevich had a 76-point season in his <\/span>first season<\/span><\/a> wearing the\u00a0<\/span>Blue Note<\/span><\/em>. Each season since, that number has decreased slightly. Last season, coming off a <\/span>contract extension<\/span><\/a>, Buchnevich scored 20 goals, the least he has scored since joining the team. While there may be concern that he is declining, Buchnevich is still a player who can use his body to create plays in front of the net, as we saw in <\/span>Game 3<\/span><\/a> of the first round last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Snuggerud played in seven regular-season games for the Blues, scoring one goal. In the playoffs, he scored two goals. Snuggerud demonstrated his offensive skills at times during his short stint. On the other hand, Snuggerud had moments showcasing his lack of experience in the league. The good news is Snuggerud will get a whole training camp with the Blues in September. The future is bright for the youngster. Patience is required as the cobwebs get dusted. But there is potential for Snuggerud to be the Calder Trophy winner this coming season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Line<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dylan Holloway<\/a> – Pius Suter<\/a> – Jordan Kyrou<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

This line includes a newcomer in Suter, who <\/span>joined the Blues this summer via free agency<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Holloway had a breakout season after joining the Blues via an offer sheet. In 77 games, Holloway scored 26 goals and likely would have reached 30 had he not gotten hurt late in the season. Holloway’s absence was felt in the playoffs, especially on the second line. A healthy Holloway will bring great things for the Blues. Furthermore, another productive season could earn Holloway a nice payday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suter is the second-line centre the Blues were looking to add this summer. Suter scored 25 goals last season. With the Blues, Suter will arguably have better linemates than he did in <\/span>Vancouver<\/span><\/a>. Playing alongside Holloway and Kyrou could propel Suter to the 30-goal mark as well as the 60-point mark.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite <\/span>trade rumours<\/span><\/a>, it just seems complicated to believe Kyrou will not be a Blue next season. In the last four seasons, Kyrou has recorded no fewer than 67 points, scoring less than 30 goals only once. The Ontario native is a consistent scorer. We can expect another 30+ goals and 67+ points in the 2025-26 season. Playing alongside Holloway and the addition of Suter may even trigger a career year for the forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Third Line<\/span><\/h3>\n

Jake Neighbours<\/a> – Brayden Schenn<\/a> – Mathieu Joseph<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Daily Faceoff\u00a0<\/span><\/em>has Joseph on the right wing, but we are not sure that is the best fit for this line. Joseph is coming off a relatively uneventful season. There was even a rumour that the Blues may <\/span>buy out Joseph’s contract<\/span><\/a> this summer. It seems likely that the Blues will determine who stands out at training camp to play on the wing on this line. Alexandre Texier<\/a>, Oskar Sundqvist<\/a>, and prospect Dalibor Dvorsky<\/a> could be in the mix to take this spot in the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schenn was a big reason<\/span><\/a> why the Blues made the playoffs last season. He will be in a significant role next season as the third-line centre. Schenn can provide veteran leadership to Neighbours (just in this third season in the league) as well as any youngsters who also join the line. Furthermore, Schenn can still get the big goal when the Blues need it. The Blues captain may be 33, but he still has a little left in the tank.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neighbours’ goal totals were down from 2023-24, but his point total increased. His net-front presence helps him secure second chances and score dirty goals for the team. The third line is a good place for someone like Neighbours, who can use his body to make plays but also has the potential to be a 30-goal scorer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth Line<\/span><\/h3>\n

Alexey Toropchenko<\/a> – Nick Bjugstad<\/a> – Nathan Walker<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n

Daily Faceoff\u00a0<\/span><\/em>has Sundqvist on the wing. However, after the season Walker had last year, he should be in the lineup until the evidence says otherwise. Walker was part of a reliable line that head coach Jim Montgomery<\/a> would use in any situation, even to start a playoff game. <\/span>Walker provided a spark<\/span><\/a> on the fourth line, serving as the “enforcer” for the team while also showcasing the ability to score.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toropchenko was also part of the fourth line that played so well last season. While his numbers in the regular season were a little lower than the previous, he had a strong showing in the playoffs, including two goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bjugstad replaces Radek Faksa<\/a> on the fourth line. Bjugstad was a more cost-effective option than the Blues, better fitting their needs. The Blues are at their best when they have a centre for each line. Bjugstad provides the Blues with both depth and experience on the roster. There could also be some offensive potential, as Bjugstad is one season removed from a 22-goal season in 2023-24.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strengths<\/span><\/h3>\n

This forward group has the potential to score a lot of goals. Seven players have 30-goal potential. There are an additional two players who could score 20 goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, there is a ton of depth on the roster. Multiple players can play on other lines if needed. Neighbours could play on the top six if required. Schenn could also play on the second line if it were needed. There are multiple other examples of the depth in this forward group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weaknesses<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are two question marks in this group. Snuggerud on the first-line wing and the third-line wing. Other players may be used to plug into the third-line role. Should Snuggerud struggle, Kyrou, Holloway, and Neighbours could help fill in.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that just about every NHL team has similar questions about its lineup. This is not anything unfamiliar. Training camp and the preseason will help answer some of these questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo: Connor Hamilton- Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We are in the final days of July. It will not be much longer, and NHL training camps will open. Teams have been working this summer to create a roster capable of achieving their individual goals for the 2025-26 season. The St. Louis Blues have NOT been an exception. Their forward and defensive groups will […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3464,"featured_media":472742,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32,4547,4548],"tags":[1792,8202,505,7090,4241,4476,3265,7283,2344,2293,2419,652,905,2366,4762,1310],"class_list":["post-472726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blues","category-hockey","category-nhl","tag-alexandre-texier","tag-alexey-toropchenko","tag-brayden-schenn","tag-dalibor-dvorsky","tag-dylan-holloway","tag-jake-neighbours","tag-jim-montgomery","tag-jimmy-snuggerud","tag-jordan-kyrou","tag-mathieu-joseph","tag-nathan-walker","tag-nick-bjugstad","tag-oskar-sundqvist","tag-pavel-buchnevich","tag-pius-suter","tag-robert-thomas"],"modified_by":"Andrew Willis","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3464"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472726"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":472744,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/472726\/revisions\/472744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/472742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=472726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=472726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}