Three Blues Players Who Proved They Deserve a Bigger Role in 2025–26
The 2024–25 NHL season was a year of transition for the St. Louis Blues. Under new coaching direction and with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising talents, the team showed glimpses of promise despite falling short of a deep playoff run. Yet, amid the ups and downs, a few players emerged from the shadows—making a strong case for an expanded role when the puck drops for the 2025–26 season. Whether it was their resilience, production, or impact in key moments, these three Blues players demonstrated they are ready for more responsibility and ice time.
1. Jake Neighbours – The Breakout Winger
Jake Neighbours was drafted with high expectations in 2020, and this past season he began to show why the Blues believed in his upside. At 22 years old, Neighbours took a significant step forward, both statistically and in his on-ice maturity. While he wasn’t the team’s top scorer, his relentless forecheck, physical edge, and improved finishing made him a regular contributor.
Neighbours spent much of the year in the middle six but thrived when given chances alongside top-line talent. He posted a career-high in goals and showed strong hockey IQ, often creating space for more skilled linemates. More importantly, his defensive game matured—he became a trusted penalty killer and was often deployed late in games to protect leads.
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Neighbours deserves a look in a consistent top-six role. His physicality and two-way play fit well with the Blues’ identity, and he’s no longer a project—he’s a full-fledged NHL winger capable of 20+ goals and strong defensive shifts.
2. Scott Perunovich – The Dynamic Defenseman
For years, Scott Perunovich was the “what-if” of the Blues’ prospect pipeline. Injuries and depth logjams prevented him from truly establishing himself as an everyday defenseman. But 2024–25 marked a turning point. With more consistent playing time, Perunovich showcased the skills that once made him a Hobey Baker Award winner in college.
The Blues eased him into the lineup early, often sheltering his minutes and pairing him with more stay-at-home partners. But by midseason, it was clear he was one of the team’s most creative blue-liners. His vision, puck movement, and quarterbacking ability on the power play gave the Blues a different dimension. Though not a physical presence, Perunovich used his skating and stick work to limit defensive breakdowns and transition quickly to offense.
His late-season performances, especially during key divisional matchups, proved he could handle top-four minutes. If he continues to stay healthy and maintain consistency, Perunovich could be a key pillar of the Blues’ blue line for years. In 2025–26, he should be a regular in all situations—power play, late-game setups, and more high-leverage scenarios.
3. Zack Bolduc – The Young Center Finding His Stride
Zack Bolduc entered the 2024–25 campaign with limited expectations. Seen as a developing prospect, Bolduc started the year bouncing between the AHL and the NHL. But injuries and roster shuffles opened the door for more NHL minutes, and Bolduc made the most of his opportunity.
While his raw offensive talent had never been in question, the biggest surprise was his commitment to a two-way game. Bolduc showed flashes of offensive brilliance—particularly on the rush—and grew more comfortable at the NHL pace with each game. His faceoff numbers improved as the season went on, and he showed good chemistry with several wingers, offering the Blues some much-needed depth down the middle.
By season’s end, Bolduc was regularly centering the third line and earning some second-unit power-play time. His vision and ability to read the play suggest he has top-six upside, and another strong offseason of strength training and development could unlock even more of his game. Given the Blues’ need for youthful energy and scoring support beyond their veteran core, Bolduc should be in line for a larger role in 2025–26.
Looking Ahead
The Blues are clearly in the midst of reshaping their identity. Veterans like Brayden Schenn, Robert Thomas, and Jordan Kyrou remain integral, but it’s the emergence of young, hungry players like Neighbours, Perunovich, and Bolduc that offers real hope for the franchise’s next phase.
Each of these players has shown not just flashes of skill, but the consistency and effort required to be impact players in the NHL. Whether it’s Neighbours’ edge and energy, Perunovich’s playmaking from the blue line, or Bolduc’s growth at center, they have all proven they’re not just depth pieces—they’re ready for more.
For the Blues to contend in 2025–26 and beyond, they’ll need to rely more heavily on internal development rather than major free agent splashes. Fortunately, these three players have stepped up and demonstrated they’re ready to meet that challenge.
