Blues fans, it’s time to evaluate the back end of the 2024-25 squad: the defensemen and goalies.
From Cam Fowler’s offensive wizardry to Joel Hofer’s clutch saves, the defensemen delivered heart-pounding moments. The numbers have been crunched —points, blocks, save percentage, Corsi, and more—to hand out report cards based on each player’s role. Whether it’s a top-pair stud or a backup netminder, here’s how the Blues’ defensemen and goalies stacked up in the combined regular season and postseason!
How Players Were Graded: The Blues Report Card
The A-to-F grades are all about context. A top-pair defenseman like Colton Parayko is judged on two-way play and ice time, while a backup goalie like Hofer is evaluated on quality starts and save percentage. The combined regular season and playoff stats, focusing on:
- Defensemen: Points per game (P/GP), plus/minus, possession (Corsi/Fenwick), blocks, hits, and role-specific contributions.
- Goalies: Save percentage (SV%), goals-against average (GAA), quality starts (QS%), and goals saved above average (GSAA).
- Role context: Ice time, zone starts, and playoff impact shape expectations.
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.
Let’s dive into the defensemen and goalies, ranked by grade:
A Grades: The Cream of the Crop
Cam Fowler (D, Grade: A)
Stats: 58 GP, 11 G, 35 A, 46 PTS, +21, 52.5% Corsi, 1269:54 TOI
Fowler was a top-pair superstar, posting an unreal 0.79 points per game for a defenseman. His +21, 52.5% Corsi, and 67 blocks scream elite two-way play. In the playoffs, he led the team with 10 points in 7 games, showing why he’s a game-changer. With just 8 PIM and 21:42 ATOI, Fowler’s poise earns a booming A.
Philip Broberg (D, Grade: A-)
Stats: 75 GP, 9 G, 22 A, 31 PTS, +30, 47.4% Corsi, 1548:49 TOI
At 23, Broberg was a top-four revelation, delivering 0.41 points per game and a jaw-dropping +30—the best on the team. His 47.4% Corsi, 113 blocks, and 47 hits show defensive chops, and he added 2 points and a +9 in 7 playoff games. Broberg’s two-way game earns an A-minus, and has potential ‘star’ status looming.
Colton Parayko says "this game is tied." #stlblues pic.twitter.com/PNqgrRzKPY
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 2, 2025
B Grades: The Reliable and Rising
Colton Parayko (D, Grade: B+)
Stats: 71 GP, 17 G, 25 A, 42 PTS, +16, 47.6% Corsi, 1688:05 TOI
Parayko was a shutdown beast, logging 23:45 ATOI and posting 0.59 points per game. His +16, 167 blocks, and 102 hits make him a top-pair rock. In the playoffs, he chipped in 6 points and a +4 in 7 games. With 41.3% offensive zone starts, his 47.6% Corsi is solid, earning a B-plus for anchoring the blue line.
Joel Hofer (G, Grade: B+)
Stats: 31 GP, 16 W, 8 L, .904 SV%, 2.64 GAA, 64.3% QS%, 1678:49 MIN
Hofer was a stellar backup, with a .904 save percentage and 2.64 GAA. His 64.3% quality start rate is elite for a No. 2 goalie, and a 16-8 record shows he steals games. No playoff stats limit his ceiling, but Hofer’s reliability earns a B-plus.
Tyler Tucker (D, Grade: B-)
Stats: 41 GP, 4 G, 4 A, 8 PTS, +4, 50.0% Corsi, 597:06 TOI
The 24-year-old up-and-comer, excelled as a physical, defensive defenseman, dishing out 93 hits and 41 blocks in just 14:35 ATOI. His impressive +4 and 50.0% Corsi for a bottom-pair grinder shows he can handle tough matchups. In the playoffs, he scored a goal in 3 games, adding to his trademark snarl (12 hits) and was a missed presence in the lineup after sustaining a lower-body injury.
However, his 59 PIM (1.44 per game) are concerning. His 13 takeaways are solid, but they don’t fully offset the discipline issues. Points (0.20 P/GP) are a bonus, and his 46.8% offensive zone starts show a balanced deployment. Tucker’s physicality and defensive reliability meet expectations, earning a B-minus. Improving discipline could push him to a B next season.
C Grades: Meeting the Mark
Ryan Suter (D, Grade: C+)
Stats: 87 GP, 2 G, 14 A, 16 PTS, +5, 45.2% Corsi, 1681:11 TOI
Suter, the grizzled vet, played bottom-pair minutes (19:28 ATOI) with 118 blocks and a +5. His 0.18 P/GP and 45.2% Corsi are modest, and 1 point in 5 playoff games didn’t dazzle. With 42.6% offensive zone starts, Suter’s steady defense earns a C-plus, but he’s not stealing the show.
JORDAN BINNINGTON pic.twitter.com/8ANEBO6hlR
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 5, 2025
Jordan Binnington (G, Grade: C+)
Stats: 63 GP, 31 W, 26 L, .900 SV%, 2.67 GAA, 58.7% QS%, 3689:29 MIN
Binnington was the workhorse, logging 63 games with a .900 save percentage and 2.67 GAA. His 31-26 record and .901 SV% in 7 playoff games (2.53 GAA) were solid but not spectacular. For a starter on a playoff team, 58.7% quality starts is average, earning a C-plus. Binner’s got the clutch gene, but we need more consistency!
Matthew Kessel (D, Grade: C)
Stats: 29 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 PTS, -3, 49.9% Corsi, 381:04 TOI
Kessel, a 24-year-old two-way defender, split time between the NHL (29 games) and AHL, building on his 39 NHL games last season. He averaged 13:08 ATOI, 0.10 P/GP, and -3 points, showing limited offensive impact. However, he recorded 23 blocks and 22 hits, with a bit of a higher defensive engagement. He was sheltered a little this season with a modest 49.9% Corsi and 51.1% offensive zone starts. Despite no playoff stats, his flashes of two-way potential, like his 6 takeaways, shine. As a young player adjusting to the NHL, his steady progress earns a C, with potential for growth.
D Grades: Falling Short
Justin Faulk (D, Grade: D)
Stats: 85 GP, 5 G, 30 A, 35 PTS, -6, 46.4% Corsi, 1917:09 TOI
Faulk, a top-four defenseman, was expected to drive offense and anchor defensively with his 22:27 ATOI, but his 0.41 P/GP fell short. His -6 rating and 3.7% shooting percentage (5 goals on 136 shots) are concerning, and his 46.4% Corsi reflects below-average possession. While 121 blocks and 101 hits show a nice bit of physicality, they don’t offset defensive lapses, especially with 49.1% offensive zone starts. In the playoffs, 3 points in 7 games and a -10.7 Corsi relative were underwhelming.
Nick Leddy (D, Grade: D)
Stats: 38 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS, +2, 48.5% Corsi, 678:01 TOI
Leddy, a veteran bottom-pair defender, struggled to deliver steady defense and puck movement despite his 0.16 P/GP and minimal impact. His 48.5% Corsi is decent, but his -4 and 1 point in 7 playoff games, especially with 52.3% offensive zone starts, hurt his D grade. The blue-liner has seen better days.
The Blues’ defensemen and goalies were a tale of highs and lows in 2024-25. Fowler and Broberg were absolute studs, Parayko and Hofer held it down, and youngsters like Tucker and Kessel showed promise. But Faulk, Leddy, and depth players are showing clear signs of aging and regression and will need to rebound if this team has aspirations of returning to the postseason with this same group of defensemen. The blue line and crease have serious potential, and Blues fans are ready for a big 2025-26.