For a long stretch, Robert Thomas has been the easy answer when it comes to the Blues’ projected MVP. That may not be the case in 2026-27.
With new faces in the mix and the young core continuing to grow, there’s at least a real opening for someone else to grab that spotlight. Thomas still has the clearest path to the title, but the door isn’t locked the way it has been in past seasons.
The most obvious challenger is Jimmy Snuggerud. He looks set to skate with Thomas and log first-line minutes, and that kind of usage should put plenty of goals on his ledger in 2026-27.
He already looked comfortable by the end of his rookie year, and now he’ll get a full offseason and a training camp where his spot should be secure. That kind of setup can do wonders.
Then there’s Joel Hofer, who is poised to take on his first season as a starter, at least unofficially. The workload should be there, and if he can keep the Blues in games, he’ll have a strong case for team MVP.
A playoff berth would be nice, but even if that doesn’t happen, a season where he shows shutout ability and stands out among NHL starters would still count as a major step forward for No. 30.
Philip Broberg is another name worth watching. He’s now expected to take over as the top defenseman after Colton Parayko, and that comes with a much bigger load.
Broberg was steady in 2025-26 and earned a new contract because of it, but now the pressure rises. With Logan Mailloux possibly alongside him, the Blues will need Broberg to handle the challenge.
Thomas remains the safest pick, especially now that he has linemates who can stack up with him more than in years past. Still, if one of these younger players takes a big enough leap, the Blues could have a new MVP on their hands. And Thomas, already on track to be the best center in franchise history, will keep pushing the team forward as the roster improves around him.
In Other News...
Pavel Buchnevich Enters A Make Or Break Year For The Blues
Pavel Buchnevich arrives at next season at something of a crossroads for the Blues, with his game no longer looking quite as sharp as it did before his move out of New York. St. Louis still views him as a candidate to anchor the second line, but the margin for error is getting slimmer as the club tries to sort out its forward mix and decide which players fit its long-term plan.
The pressure around him is only growing because the Blues have other options pushing for those same minutes, including younger forwards Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael. Add in the wave of prospects waiting in the wings, and Buchnevich is not just trying to hold a job, he is trying to re-establish himself as a player the Blues can trust in a meaningful role. [Read more 🡒]