Grading the St. Louis Blues Forwards for the 2024-25 Season

The 2024-25 season was a thrilling rollercoaster of goals, hits, and playoff grit. From Robert Thomas’ playmaking to Nathan Walker’s energy, the forwards entertained fans. As grades are broken down, numbers from the regular season and postseason are combined to grade each player based on their role—top-line star or fourth-line grinder. Let’s see how the Blues’ forwards stacked up!

How Players Were Graded: The Blues Report Card

The A-to-F grades are all about context. A first-line center like Thomas is judged on points, faceoffs, and two-way play, while a checking winger like Toropchenko is evaluated on physicality and defensive hustle. The combined regular season and playoff stats, focusing on:

- Points per game (P/GP): Are they producing for their role?

- Possession (Corsi/Fenwick): Do they control the puck?

- Two-way play: Plus/minus, blocks, takeaways, and hits.

- Role-specific metrics: Faceoffs for centers, physicality for checkers.

- Playoff impact: Did they step up in the postseason?

The grading scale:

- A: Elite, blowing past expectations.

- B: Strong, meeting or exceeding their role.

- C: Average, getting the job done.

- D: Below expectations.

- F: Falling short.

Special note: For young players like Jimmy Snuggerud, who joined late from the NCAA, the expectations were adjusted for limited games, focusing on per-game impact and flashes of potential. 

Let’s dive into the forwards, ranked by grade, and celebrate the heart of the Blues!

A Grades: The Cream of the Crop

Robert Thomas (C, Grade: A)  

Stats: 77 GP, 23 G, 66 A, 89 PTS, +20, 54.2% FO, 51.3% Corsi, 1544:01 TOI  

Thomas was the Blues’ wizard, leading with 89 points (1.16 P/GP) and winning 54.2% of faceoffs. His +20 and 51.3% Corsi prove he’s a two-way force, driving play while dishing assists. In the playoffs, he added 8 points in 7 games, though 109 giveaways are a minor nitpick. Thomas is the heartbeat of this team, earning a resounding A.

Dylan Holloway (C, Grade: A-)  

Stats: 77 GP, 26 G, 37 A, 63 PTS, +21, 14.6% SPCT, 52.2% Corsi, 1295:29 TOI  

The first-year Blue, Holloway was a middle-six revelation, posting 0.82 points per game and a sparkling +21. His 165 hits and 52.2% Corsi show he’s a physical, puck-possessing beast. Unfortunately missed the postseason due to injury, but his regular-season dominance in a middle-six line role screams future star. Holloway’s skill and grit earn an A-minus, and Blues fans should be pumped for his trajectory!

B Grades: Reliable and Rising

Zachary Bolduc (LW, Grade: B+)  

Stats: 79 GP, 19 G, 18 A, 37 PTS, +19, 51.4% Corsi, 1015:02 TOI  

At 21, Bolduc was a middle-six gem, delivering 0.47 points per game and a stellar +19. He had strong possession metrics with a 51.4% Corsi shows he’s controlling play, and 108 hits add snarl. Playoff impact was limited (one point in seven games), but for a rookie averaging 12:48, Bolduc’s two-way game is a win. This B-plus hints at top-six potential down the line.

Jordan Kyrou (C, Grade: B+)  

Stats: 89 GP, 39 G, 34 A, 73 PTS, +19, 52.2% Corsi, 1556:30 TOI  

Kyrou was a top-six sniper finally showing strides as a responsible two-way forwarded, netting 39 goals and 73 points (0.82 P/GP) while leading with 257 shots. His 52.2% Corsi shows a bit of a puck-hog but as long as he is putting the puck in the net, who cares? His playoff output (3 points in 7 games, -4) was a letdown for a guy with his wheels. However, there’s no clear indication he was fully healthy during the postseason either. For that, his postseason play was weighed but ultimately brought him down just below that A- grade. 

Jimmy Snuggerud (RW, Grade: B)  

Stats: 14 GP, 3 G, 5 A, 8 PTS, +2, 10.0% SPCT, 39.5% Corsi, 227:54 TOI  

The 20-year-old NCAA standout, joined the Blues late and made an immediate splash. In just 14 games, he posted 0.57 points per game, including 4 points in 7 playoff games. He was thrust into a bit of a higher role than perhaps originally intended with the injury sustained to Holloway giving him 15:28 ATOI. Despite a lack of experience at the NHL-level, he had a respectable 10% shooting percentage showing off his signature scoring touch. 

However, his 39.5% Corsi suggests he struggled to drive play, understandable for a rookie adjusting to the NHL’s pace. His +2, 7 hits, and 7 takeaways show two-way effort, and 59.1% offensive zone starts gave him a scoring-friendly role. For a late-season call-up, Snuggerud’s production and playoff contributions exceed expectations for a prospect with limited pro experience. A B grade feels right, balancing his promise with possession struggles.

Pavel Buchnevich (LW, Grade: B)  

Stats: 83 GP, 23 G, 42 A, 65 PTS, +11, 49.9% Corsi, 1590:07 TOI  

Buchnevich shined bright this season, posting 0.78 points per game and shining with 8 points in 7 playoff games. Though his output was limited in the postseason to the playmaking side of his game, he did his job offensively but often left you wanting a bit more. His +11 and 32 blocks show two-way solidity, though 49.9% Corsi and a 37.3% faceoff rate (when used at center) are average. Hopefully we don’t need to see him starting at center any time soon.

Radek Faksa (C, Grade: B)  

Stats: 77 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 PTS, +5, 56.4% FO, 46.5% Corsi, 1017:21 TOI  

Faksa was a checking-line rock, winning 56.4% of faceoffs and dishing 136 hits. His 0.26 P/GP is low, but a +7 and 5 points in 7 playoff games were clutch. With 28.8% offensive zone starts, he handles tough defensive minutes like a pro. The ‘F’ of the WTF line gets a B grade reflecting his shutdown role and postseason heart.

Jake Neighbours (LW, Grade: B)  

Stats: 89 GP, 23 G, 29 A, 52 PTS, -2, 17.7% SPCT, 47.5% Corsi, 1428:22 TOI  

Neighbours brought the boom with 173 hits and a lethal 17.7% shooting percentage, netting 0.58 points per game. His 6 points in 7 playoff games were a spark, but 47.5% Corsi shows he’s not yet driving play. For a middle-six banger, Neighbours’ scoring and physicality earn a B-minus.

Nathan Walker (C, Grade: B-)  

Stats: 80 GP, 11 G, 9 A, 20 PTS, 0, 53.7% FO, 45.2% Corsi, 986:11 TOI  

Walker was the ultimate energy guy, throwing 321 hits and winning 53.7% of faceoffs—never one to shy from a scrap or a hard shift. His 0.25 points per game were modest, but he brought the juice in the playoffs with 4 points and a +5 in 7 games. With just 31.8% offensive zone starts and a 45.2% Corsi, his underlying numbers took a hit, but the Aussie battler played with the kind of grit and pride that’d make any pub back home cheer.

Alexey Toropchenko (RW, Grade: B-)  

Stats: 87 GP, 6 G, 16 A, 22 PTS, +6, 6.1% SPCT, 45.5% Corsi, 1097:51 TOI  

Toropchenko was a checking-line bulldozer, racking up 250 hits and a +6. His 0.25 P/GP and 6.1% shooting percentage are low, but 4 points and a +7 in 7 playoff games showed his value. With 31.3% offensive zone starts, his 45.5% Corsi fits his defensive role. Toropchenko’s physicality and postseason spark earn a B-minus.

C Grades: Meeting the Mark

Brayden Schenn (C, Grade: C+, 75/100)  

Stats: 89 GP, 20 G, 33 A, 53 PTS, -2, 52.7% FO, 47.8% Corsi, 1565:54 TOI  

The captain played a middle-six role this season, posted 0.60 points per game and won 52.7% of faceoffs. His 194 hits show grit, but a combined regular season and postseason -2 rating, 47.8% Corsi, and -5 in the playoffs are concerning. High PIM (91) shows he still has an  edge to his game but also costly penalties to his team. Schenn’s C-plus reflects average play, with leadership adding value.

Oskar Sundqvist (C, Grade: C+, 75/100)  

Stats: 74 GP, 7 G, 15 A, 22 PTS, -5, 45.5% FO, 46.7% Corsi, 991:57 TOI  

Sundqvist was a bottom-six utility man, contributing 0.30 points per game and 104 hits.  He had a tale of two seasons with the second half really turning things around for himself and the public’s opinion. His 2 points in 7 playoff games were modest, and 46.7% Corsi is below average. With 35.4% offensive zone starts, he handled defensive duties modestly, but limited offense earns a C-plus.

Mathieu Joseph (RW, Grade: C, 70/100)  

Stats: 63 GP, 5 G, 10 A, 15 PTS, -5, 5.8% SPCT, 49.4% Corsi, 755:12 TOI  

Joseph’s 0.24 P/GP and 133 hits fit his bottom-six role, but a -5 and 1 point in 3 playoff games are underwhelming. His 49.4% Corsi is decent, but with 38.4% offensive zone starts, he needs more offense.

Alexandre Texier (C, Grade: C, 70/100)  

Stats: 34 GP, 6 G, 6 A, 12 PTS, -4, 12.0% SPCT, 45.7% Corsi, 423:15 TOI  

Texier’s 0.35 P/GP was respectable in limited games, but a -4 and 1 point in 3 playoff games didn’t shine for a player who came into St. Louis this year with some higher expectations. His 45.7% Corsi and 11 blocks show effort, but small sample size and average impact earn a C.

The Blues’ forwards delivered a mix of star power, grit, and growth in 2024-25. Thomas and Holloway led the charge, Kyrou showed great signs of all-around growth, while Snuggerud flashed exciting potential. Bolduc and Faksa filled their roles with Bolduc showing plenty of promise, but Schenn are showing signs of regression. This group has depth and heart, setting the stage for 2025-26. Stay tuned for our defensemen and goalies grades, and share your Blues fans!