Robert Thomas doesn’t just have the Blues captaincy now. He has a real shot at making it last long enough to set a franchise mark.
St. Louis named Thomas the 25th captain in team history a few weeks ago, and the move fit cleanly.
It also opened the door to a little piece of Blues history that has been sitting there for decades. Brian Sutter still holds the standard for longevity, serving as captain for nine seasons.
Thomas is 27 and entering his ninth season with the Blues, which puts him in position to challenge that number if he stays in the role all the way through the 2034-35 season, when he would be 36. That would be enough to pass Sutter and move into first place on the franchise list.
What makes that possibility stand out is how brief the captaincy has been for some of the biggest names in team history. Alex Pietrangelo, David Backes, and Brett Hull all wore the “C” for only a couple of seasons, nowhere close to Sutter’s run.
Around the NHL, captaincy has become more fluid in many places, though there are still some obvious holdovers. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin remain the headliners in that category, and Gabriel Landeskog is in his 14th season as captain in Colorado.
Thomas also seems built for more than just the title. If he stays in St.
Louis long enough to chase Sutter’s captaincy record, he could also climb the franchise scoring list. Sutter sits third in Blues history with 636 points, while Thomas has 460 and is still in what should be his prime years.
After eight seasons with the club, Thomas made sense as the choice for captain, even with Colton Parayko part of the discussion. Thomas brings a steadiness the Blues need, and he looks like the kind of player who can carry that responsibility for a long stretch.
That’s why this appointment matters beyond the present. Thomas has the profile to lead the next era of Blues hockey, and depending on how this season plays out, that era could soon be tied to a real championship window.
In Other News...
Blues Could Be Watching A Young Center Standoff Very Closely
A young center situation in Columbus is worth watching closely, and it has a ripple effect that could reach St. Louis if the stalemate lingers. Contract talks between Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell and the players agent are moving slowly, with no agreement in place yet, leaving the sides without a clear finish line as camp approaches.
If the delay continues, the possibility of a trade could start to gain real traction, which is where the Blues come into the conversation. St. Louis has been looking for ways to address roster needs and has the kind of assets that could make it part of the discussion if Columbus ever decides to explore that path, so this is one of those situations the front office will keep tabs on even before training camp gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Blues Face A Tough Call On Long-Term Deals For Young Core
Around the league, a handful of young players have already locked in eight-year extensions before the NHLs next labor rules trim that option down. That has put some pressure on front offices, including the Blues, to decide whether now is the time to go long on their own developing core while the chance is still there.
St. Louis has reason to weigh the gamble carefully. Long-term deals can buy cost certainty and reward upside, but they also tie the team to a player before the full picture is clear, which is why these decisions are so tricky for clubs trying to build sustainably. The question hanging over the Blues is whether the moment is right to push for that kind of commitment, or whether patience still makes more sense. [Read more 🡒]
Jordan Binnington Is Entering Blues Camp With Real Pressure
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The pressure is sharper now because new general manager Alex Steen appears to see Hofer as the goaltender who should grow into the role for the long haul. Even so, St. Louis also needs Binnington to show he can still be a dependable part of the picture in a contract year, which leaves the Blues with an unsettled competition and one of camp's most closely watched storylines still waiting to be resolved. [Read more 🡒]