The Blues had to improvise fast, and their fourth line has already turned into one of the more interesting storylines of the early season.
What was supposed to be a group built around Alexey Toropchenko, Ross Johnston, and Dillon Dube unraveled almost immediately when injuries hit all three within the first few games. St.
Louis leaned on Dylan Peterson and Zach Dean to patch things together, but that setup didn’t last long. After three games with no points from either player, a combined minus-5 rating, and ice time that barely cleared 10 minutes a night, the Blues made a change and recalled Otto Stenberg and Aleksanteri Kaskimäki before last night’s game against the Jets.
There’s obvious upside in the new look. St.
Louis now has two young wingers riding shotgun with veteran center Pius Suter, which gives the line a real chance to develop while still leaning on experience down the middle. And this isn’t just a trio that can survive shifts - it has some punch.
Kaskimäki scored 20 goals and totaled 44 points in 64 games for the Springfield Thunderbirds last season. Stenberg, meanwhile, already showed he can produce at the NHL level, putting up 10 points in 34 games for the Blues last season.
Suter adds another layer here, too: he’s just two years removed from a 25-goal season and is tied for third in points on the Blues through the first few games of this year.
The defensive case isn’t bad either. Both Suter and Stenberg posted defensive ratings in the 70th percentile or better according to HockeyStatCards last season, and that gives this line a foundation beyond just trying to keep the puck moving. Scouts have also credited both Kaskimäki and Stenberg for their work in the check, and some of that showed up in their debut against Winnipeg.
Still, there are real questions. The size issue jumps out immediately.
None of the three are particularly big for a fourth line, and physical play isn’t really the calling card for any of them. Stenberg’s game, in particular, is built around his hockey IQ and passing vision - traits that usually fit better in a middle-six role than buried on a bottom line.
Speed is another concern. In their first game together, both Stenberg and Kaskimäki came in below the 50th percentile in top speed. Stenberg’s number stood out the most at 19.43 MPH, well under the average top speed of 21.68 MPH.
So the formula is clear enough: this group may be able to limit damage and even chip in some offense, but it’s not built to bully anyone. With below-average speed and limited physicality, there’s a risk that they won’t be able to wear down opponents over the course of a game. And with the Blues already having trouble against opposing top lines, letting those units build momentum against this fourth line could become a problem.
Even so, the depth chart says everyone is going to get a shot. The competition should give Kaskimäki and Stenberg a push, and it should also keep Jack Finley and Nathan Walker pushing in Springfield in case their opportunity comes next.
In Other News...
Blues Core Might Be Taking Shape After Huge Win Over Winnipeg
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Philip Broberg also continued to push his case as an important piece for the Blues, adding an element from the back end that can change a tight game. Between the young talent up front, steady work in goal and a defenseman willing to lean into bigger moments, St. Louis is starting to see a roster mix that feels more than just promising on paper, even if there is still plenty left to sort out. [Read more 🡒]
Snuggerud Is Giving The Blues A Reason To Believe Again
Jimmy Snuggerud started turning heads late last season, when Dylan Holloways injury opened a door and gave the Blues a chance to see more of the rookies offensive game. This fall, he has moved from promising piece to much bigger part of the picture, skating in a larger role and even lining up with Holloway and Robert Thomas as St. Louis looks for more punch up front.
The Blues also entered this season with a different look after moving Jordan Kyrou in the offseason, which only heightens the importance of players like Snuggerud stepping forward. He has already given them a reason to believe they can replace some of that lost scoring internally, and his early surge has made him one of the most important storylines around the team as the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]