The St. Louis Blues know what it takes to build a competitive team in the NHL. It is not always about making the biggest offseason move or finding the next superstar. Sometimes, the biggest difference comes from players already on the roster taking their games to another level.
Heading 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. A breakout season from one of these players could change the way the team is viewed and provide a major boost to the lineup.
3. Dylan Holloway
Dylan Holloway’s 2025-26 season showed exactly why the Blues believe he can be a major offensive contributor.
Before injury interrupted his season, Holloway was putting together one of the best stretches 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 interrupted the momentum he had built during the first half of the season.
However, what happened after his return was arguably the most encouraging part of his season.
After coming back from his high ankle sprain following the 2026 Olympic break, Holloway erupted offensively. Over his final 25 games, he recorded 14 goals, 34 points and a plus-26 rating. During that stretch, he looked like one of the most dangerous forwards in the league, combining his speed, physicality and finishing ability to consistently create offense.
Despite missing time, 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 on pace for more than 70 points.
That is what makes Holloway such an intriguing breakout candidate. The production is already there. The biggest question is whether he can maintain it over a full season.
Heading into 2026-27, Holloway is expected to have a prime opportunity playing alongside Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud. Thomas’ elite playmaking ability and Snuggerud’s scoring touch could create the perfect environment for Holloway to continue growing offensively.
A breakout season for Holloway would mean staying healthy and carrying his late-season momentum into a full campaign. A realistic projection would be around 30 goals and 40 assists for 70 points, establishing himself as a legitimate top-line forward.
The talent has never been the question. Now, Holloway has the opportunity to prove he can be one of the Blues’ most important offensive players.
2. Jake Neighbours
Jake Neighbours brings something to the Blues lineup that every successful team needs.
He is relentless. He competes for every puck, embraces physical battles, and consistently goes into the areas of the ice where goals are often scored. His willingness to do the difficult work makes him one of the most dependable players on the roster.
Last season, Neighbours finished with 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points in 69 games. While those numbers may not stand out immediately, his impact goes beyond the scoresheet.
Neighbours creates opportunities through his effort. He wins puck battles, creates second-chance opportunities, and makes life difficult for opposing defenders. Those qualities are valuable, especially during playoff-style hockey where every possession matters.
The next step for Neighbours is turning that hard work into more consistent offensive production.
At 24 years old, Neighbours still has room to grow, and a bigger role could help unlock another level of his game. He has already shown he can contribute offensively, but becoming a more consistent scoring threat would make him a much more complete player.
Heading into 2026-27, Neighbours could find himself playing alongside Pius Suter and Dalibor Dvorsky. That combination could fit his style well. Suter provides experience and two-way reliability, while Dvorsky brings creativity and offensive skill.
That type of line would allow Neighbours to play his physical style while also benefiting from more offensive opportunities.
A breakout season for Neighbours would not necessarily mean becoming a point-per-game player. Instead, it would mean becoming a more complete top-nine forward capable of consistently impacting games. A season around 20 to 25 goals and 50 points would represent a major step forward.
Neighbours already has the work ethic and mentality coaches trust. The next challenge is turning that effort into bigger offensive numbers.
1. Jimmy Snuggerud
There was little debate about who would top this list. Jimmy Snuggerud entered the NHL with high expectations, and he immediately showed why he was considered one of the Blues’ most talented young players.
The 22-year-old winger 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 Calder Trophy voting, placing him among the league’s top first-year players. However, his first full NHL season was not without adversity.
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 the missed time interrupted the momentum he had built early in his rookie campaign.
Despite the setback, Snuggerud continued to prove why he is viewed as one of the Blues’ most important offensive pieces. His shot 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 offensive ability is matched by his overall game.
He is not simply a goal scorer. Snuggerud competes hard, creates plays away from the puck, and consistently finds ways to put himself in scoring positions. His hockey sense and ability to quickly release the puck make him a constant threat every time he steps onto the ice.
His rookie season was impressive, but the opportunity ahead of him could be even greater.
Snuggerud is expected to take on a larger role in 2026-27, including top-line minutes and significant power-play time. More responsibility should lead to more opportunities, especially with talented players around him.
A breakout season for Snuggerud would mean making the jump from promising young player to one of the Blues’ top offensive weapons. A realistic projection would be 30 to 35 goals and around 40 assists for 70-plus points.
The challenge for Snuggerud is no longer proving he belongs in the NHL. It is showing just how high his ceiling can be.
The Next Step for the Blues
The Blues do not need every player on this list to become a superstar for the team to improve. They need each player to continue building on what they have already shown.
Holloway needs to stay healthy and prove his late-season surge was only the beginning. Neighbours 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 a centerpiece of the offense.
If those three players take another step forward, the Blues could have one of the most dangerous forward groups they have had in years. The talent is already in place. Now it is about seeing which players are ready to take their game to another level.
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