Thomas

[dhsux]

Playing equivalent to a top 10 center of late....or is it top 5?

Is there another player more undervalued than this future captain?

If so, who would it be?

[DawgDad]

I would nominate Schenn, Faulk, and Leddy. I would include 4th liners and Sunny but I don't view them as underrated.

Schenn because he's managed to effectively synergize now with all the high-flying young players around him. They need what he brings to the line in veteran savvy and toughness.

Faulk simply because he's carrying a heavy load on the right side in the absence of Parayko. He's been tapped in all the tough spots.

Leddy, well, check out his plus/minus. Prorate that out and he's right up around +20. Very quietly very effective.

[DawgDad]

OK, I think I made my point. I'm not so sure Thomas is underrated any more, other players and national writers have been praising him. I do think he's still flying a bit under the radar for casual observers simply because he's not at the top of the leaderboard.

It doesn't matter where he is ranked, it matters what the team is doing. The ability to shut down a MacKinnon line doesn't show up in the leaderbords. The Blues made a lot of noise with ROR and Schenn, two centers nowhere near the leaderboards, why not Thomas and Schenn?

[LuvthaBlues]

In the last 20 games, he is 5th overall in the NHL in points, 4th among centers.

[dhsux]

I would nominate Schenn, Faulk, and Leddy. I would include 4th liners and Sunny but I don't view them as underrated.

Schenn because he's managed to effectively synergize now with all the high-flying young players around him. They need what he brings to the line in veteran savvy and toughness.

Faulk simply because he's carrying a heavy load on the right side in the absence of Parayko. He's been tapped in all the tough spots.

Leddy, well, check out his plus/minus. Prorate that out and he's right up around +20. Very quietly very effective.

Wow

I meant nationally but pretty clear we are miles apart.

[dhsux]

In the last 20 games, he is 5th overall in the NHL in points, 4th among centers.

Yep...and who knows that?

The center cog of this whole team.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I would nominate Schenn, Faulk, and Leddy. I would include 4th liners and Sunny but I don't view them as underrated.

Schenn because he's managed to effectively synergize now with all the high-flying young players around him. They need what he brings to the line in veteran savvy and toughness.

Faulk simply because he's carrying a heavy load on the right side in the absence of Parayko. He's been tapped in all the tough spots.

Leddy, well, check out his plus/minus. Prorate that out and he's right up around +20. Very quietly very effective.

Leddy and Faulk are legit the reasons we are on the run we are on. On top of that, they saved by themselves 3 goals last night. 3 literal tap ins prevented by those 2. You could say the run we are on is because a lot of people, because quite frankly it is. The team is winning in different ways. But Leddy and Faulk have picked up HUGE minutes especially Faulk, and they are delivering. It's honestly crazy how good Faulk has been playing but people will only point out the odd play. He is playing like he was 2-3 years ago when he was undoubtedly our best defensemen on the league and he was a 15-25 top Dmen in the league the last year we were in the playoffs.

If this team makes the playoffs, and Parayko is in. Hopefully he picks up right where he left off. Can you imagine what this DCore could do if you just subbed out Tucker and inserted Parayko?

[Hockey Pete]

Playing equivalent to a top 10 center of late....or is it top 5?

Is there another player more undervalued than this future captain?

If so, who would it be?

IMO he's been a Top 10 center in several seasons (currently 10th in PPG now for centers), but 5v5 he's definitely pushing top 5.

Just s solid player.

[bud white]

On the Spittin Chiklets interview with Army yesterday, it was revealed that had he not been dealing with an injury, Thomas would have been on Team Canada - but opted to get healthy.

The fact that Parayko hasn't been in the lineup has not been lost on anyone in the hockey media. It remains a big reason why teams just don't want any part of the Blues in the first round.

I was listening to Calgary radio this morning and all of the wags have just written off the Blues as far as the Flames are concerned. No way Flames should worry about the them. Focus on Minny. To that end, they've all but given up. They still have four very tough games left (2 vs Vegas / 1 v. Wild / 1 v. Kings) and are bemoaning the fact that they had those two games - here in STL - back to back (Jan 14th and 16th) and got swept.



I wonder if Kadri ends up having an "accidental" fall into Aiden Hill in those Vegas games?

[Bacchk29]

It’s a hot take. Also incorrect. 19th in the league among centers stat wise. Above average on the dot. Solid PPG very consistent. That’s it.

[somni]

It’s a hot take. Also incorrect. 19th in the league among centers stat wise. Above average on the dot. Solid PPG very consistent. That’s it.

Is that 19th is total points or calculated per game?

[DawgDad]

It’s a hot take. Also incorrect. 19th in the league among centers stat wise. Above average on the dot. Solid PPG very consistent. That’s it.

Defense. Subjective, but it matters.

[Bacchk29]

It’s a hot take. Also incorrect. 19th in the league among centers stat wise. Above average on the dot. Solid PPG very consistent. That’s it.

Defense. Subjective, but it matters.

That’s fair. The comment earlier was top 5 of late. Still don’t think that’s the case that’s all.

[stlblues1979]

I would nominate Schenn, Faulk, and Leddy. I would include 4th liners and Sunny but I don't view them as underrated.

Schenn because he's managed to effectively synergize now with all the high-flying young players around him. They need what he brings to the line in veteran savvy and toughness.

Faulk simply because he's carrying a heavy load on the right side in the absence of Parayko. He's been tapped in all the tough spots.

Leddy, well, check out his plus/minus. Prorate that out and he's right up around +20. Very quietly very effective.

Leddy and Faulk are legit the reasons we are on the run we are on. On top of that, they saved by themselves 3 goals last night. 3 literal tap ins prevented by those 2. You could say the run we are on is because a lot of people, because quite frankly it is. The team is winning in different ways. But Leddy and Faulk have picked up HUGE minutes especially Faulk, and they are delivering. It's honestly crazy how good Faulk has been playing but people will only point out the odd play. He is playing like he was 2-3 years ago when he was undoubtedly our best defensemen on the league and he was a 15-25 top Dmen in the league the last year we were in the playoffs.

If this team makes the playoffs, and Parayko is in. Hopefully he picks up right where he left off. Can you imagine what this DCore could do if you just subbed out Tucker and inserted Parayko?

Agree completely. Leddy had a tremendous game last night & not just because he saved a goal. He & Fowler play so calmly & just make smart decisions with the puck. They don't panic & both, even at their age, can skate so well.

[Old_Goat]

Thomas is excellent, Kyrou is excellent, many others are excellent. Are any perfect?...Of course not. Do some folks get frustrated with a skilled player and overlook the long term potential?...sure they do, that's part of being a passionate fan, and good on those whom were, or down on someone, but maintain an open mind and admit maybe they were wrong when the player finds their groove.
I fully enjoy seeing a very well-balanced TEAM of players who play very hard for each other, and achieve the winning results a relatively large majority of the time. The dialogue here is great, with a few angry exceptions.

[TheJackBurton]

It’s a hot take. Also incorrect. 19th in the league among centers stat wise. Above average on the dot. Solid PPG very consistent. That’s it.

Defense. Subjective, but it matters.

That’s fair. The comment earlier was top 5 of late. Still don’t think that’s the case that’s all.

Since the 4 Nations he is the 5th highest scoring PLAYER in the NHL. He's scored more points than the following:

Jack Eichel
Jason Robertson
Connor McDavid
Austin Matthews
Kyle Connor
Artemi Panarin
David Pasternak
Matthew Ktachuk

So yes, his points might be 19th total in centers, but he missed 12 games. If he just scored at a ppg pace in the missed games(below his current pace) he would be at 81 pts in 76 games. That would have him tied for 10th overall in scoring and 4th overall at center.

I think he's well above the 19th position.