3 players from St. Louis Blues Begin Breakout Season in 2026-27 – Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues know what it takes to build a competitive team in the NHL. It’s not always about making the big offseason move or finding the next star. Sometimes, the biggest difference comes from players who are already on the roster to take their games to the next level.

Going into the 2026-27 season, the Blues have several players who have already shown they can make an impact at the NHL level but have yet to reach their full potential. The first season from one of these players could change the way the team is viewed and provide a major boost to the roster.

3. Dylan Holloway

Dylan Holloway’s 2025-26 season showed exactly why the Blues believe he can be a major offensive contributor.

Before injuries derailed his season, Holloway was putting together one of the best seasons of his NHL career. Through 33 games, he recorded 17 points with eight goals and nine assists, showing more confidence with the puck and becoming a consistent threat offensively. Then came the setback.

On Dec. 15, 2025, Holloway was placed on injured reserve with a right ankle injury. The injury forced him to miss significant time and derailed the momentum he had built in the first half of the season.

However, what happened after his return was arguably the most encouraging part of his season.

After returning from a sprained ankle following the 2026 Olympic hiatus, Holloway exploded offensively. In his last 25 games, he has recorded 14 goals, 34 points and a plus-26 average. At the time, he looked like one of the most dangerous players in the league, combining his speed, physicality and finishing ability to create constant offense.

Despite his absence, Holloway finished the season with 22 goals and 51 points in 59 games. His production over a full 82-game schedule would have put him in position for over 70 points.

That’s what makes Holloway such an interesting exit candidate. Production is already there. The big question is whether he can keep it up for the rest of the season.

Going into 2026-27, Holloway is expected to have a good chance to play with Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud. Thomas’ elite playmaking ability and Snuggerud’s scoring touch could create the perfect environment for Holloway to continue to develop offensively.

Holloway’s first season will mean staying healthy and carrying his late-season momentum into a full campaign. A realistic projection would be 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points, establishing himself as a legitimate power forward.

Talent is never a question. Now, Holloway has a chance to prove that he can be one of the Blues’ offensive players.

2. Jake Neighbors

Jake Neighbors brings something to the Blues lineup that every successful team needs.

He does not repent. He competes for every puck, accepts body battles, and always gets into the areas of the ice where goals are often scored. His willingness to work hard makes him one of the most trusted players on the roster.

Last season, Neighbors finished with 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 69 games. While those numbers may not immediately stand out, his impact extends beyond the score sheet.

Neighbors created opportunities through his efforts. He wins puck battles, creates second chances, and makes life difficult for opposing defensemen. Those qualities are important, especially during a playstyle hockey where everything you have counts.

The neighborhood’s next step is turning that hard work into consistent productivity.

At 24 years old, Neighbors still has room to grow, and a bigger role could help unlock another level of his game. He has already shown that he can contribute offensively, but being a consistent scoring threat will make him a more complete player.

From 2026-27, the neighbors could find themselves playing with Pius Suter and Dalibor Dvorsky. That combination would suit his style well. Suter provides experience and reliability in two ways, while Dvorsky brings creativity and offensive skill.

That kind of line would allow Neighbors to play off his physical style while benefiting from offensive opportunities.

The neighborhood team’s season won’t mean being a point-per-game player. Instead, it will mean a complete front nine that can’t impact games regularly. A season of around 20 to 25 goals and 50 points would represent a huge step forward.

Neighbors already have the work ethic and trust of mental coaches. The next challenge is to convert that effort into big offensive numbers.

1. Jimmy Snuggerud

There has been a bit of debate as to who will top this list. Jimmy Snuggerud entered the NHL with high expectations, and quickly showed why he is considered one of the Blues’ most talented young players.

The 22-year-old finished the 2025-26 season with 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 70 games. His impressive rookie campaign earned him fifth place in the Calder Trophy voting, placing him among the league’s best first-year players. However, his first full NHL season was not without difficulties.

Snuggerud suffered a left wrist injury that required surgery and forced him to miss 12 games. He returned to the lineup in late December 2025, but missed time derailed the momentum he had built early in his rookie campaign.

Despite the setback, Snuggerud continued to prove why he is considered one of the Blues’ most important offensive pieces. His shooting remained one of the most dangerous weapons on the roster, and he continued to show the ability to create offense at even strength and on the power play.

What makes Snuggerud so exciting is that his attacking ability is consistent with his overall game.

He is not just a scorer. Snuggerud competes hard, creates plays away from the puck, and always finds ways to put himself in scoring position. His hockey sense and ability to release the puck quickly make him a constant threat every time he steps on the ice.

His rookie season was impressive, but the opportunity ahead of him could be even bigger.

Snuggerud is expected to play a major role in 2026-27, including high minutes and significant power play time. The extra load should lead to more opportunities, especially with talented players around him.

Snuggerud’s first season will mean making the jump from a promising young player to one of the Blues’ top attacking weapons. A realistic projection would be 30 to 35 goals and about 40 assists for 70 points and more.

Snuggerud’s challenge no longer indicates that he is a member of the NHL. It shows how high his ceiling can be.

The Next Step for the Blues

The Blues don’t need every player on the roster to be a star for the team to improve. They need each player to continue to build on what they have already shown.

Holloway needs to stay healthy and prove that his surgery last season was just the beginning. Neighbors needs to turn his relentless style into consistent offensive production. Snuggerud needs to build on one of the strongest rookie seasons in the league and establish himself as the centerpiece of the offense.

If those three players take another step forward, the Blues could have one of the most dangerous forward teams they’ve had in years. The talent is there. Now it’s time to see which players are ready to take their game to the next level.