I've seen enough: Snuggerud in top 6 and in playoffs

[ClassicO]

I'm being lighthearted on a SSS, but his talent level, skating, passing, and rifle shot are far better than my already-high expectations.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I'm being lighthearted on a SSS, but his talent level, skating, passing, and rifle shot are far better than my already-high expectations.

he's clearly got the shot and vision. He's getting roughed up out there and is still making plays. He's almost scored now 2 times. Potting that assist yesterday was huge. Nothing worse than joining a new team as the young guy and not delivering for an extended period. I think they need to carve out a role for him as a PP Merchant. Our PP is dreadful, and now we have someone with a bonified shot. You have Bolduc, Snuggs, and Hollywood (if he's not hurt). We need to change that stuff up and put some guys on the dots.

[blackinkbiz]

I'm being lighthearted on a SSS, but his talent level, skating, passing, and rifle shot are far better than my already-high expectations.

You shouldn't be lighthearted. He's good. That give and go he got the assist on, he blew past the Pens defender and it didn't even look like he was skating hard.

Kid got game.

[LGB73]

He's got offensive game but not sure about the all around game yet, and that's important in the playoffs. He's fine on the third line and if anyone is moving up to more playing time it should be Bolduc.

[Army's Mom]

He's got offensive game but not sure about the all around game yet, and that's important in the playoffs. He's fine on the third line and if anyone is moving up to more playing time it should be Bolduc.

Agreed. And that's no knock on Snuggerud. A week ago I think most of us would've said there's no need to break up what's working by inserting Snuggerud into the starting lineup at all.

[sdaltons]

I'm still hesitant after these last two games to keep Joseph out. And this is coming from someone who isn't a Joseph fan.

I know he's a dime-a-dozen type, but the way the team looked, I'm wondering if he's a big time character guy. Maybe he helps keep the room light? Maybe he's one of the guys who sort of helped them turn the corner to where they are now?

Idk but you do sometimes hear stories where the hot shot kid comes in, knocks a well-liked vet out of the lineup, gets unearned PP time, etc, and all that stuff not necessarily going over well in the room.

Hopefully I'm way off base as I like what I've seen from the kid as well!

[STL fan in MN]

I'm still hesitant after these last two games to keep Joseph out. And this is coming from someone who isn't a Joseph fan.

I know he's a dime-a-dozen type, but the way the team looked, I'm wondering if he's a big time character guy. Maybe he helps keep the room light? Maybe he's one of the guys who sort of helped them turn the corner to where they are now?

Idk but you do sometimes hear stories where the hot shot kid comes in, knocks a well-liked vet out of the lineup, gets unearned PP time, etc, and all that stuff not necessarily going over well in the room.

Hopefully I'm way off base as I like what I've seen from the kid as well!

Rumor has it Joseph is the one that brought Jobu into the room. And he is a well liked member of the team from what I’ve seen. That said, he seems to be a team first type so I doubt he’ll cause a fuss.

Personally, I haven’t seen enough to declare Snuggy a top-6 NHLer yet. I’d say he’s done well his first 2 games and he remains a legit option for the 3rd line but agree with the poster that said that if anyone is going to get promoted up the lineup it should be Bolduc first.

I also see value in Joseph. He brings a different element, namely speed and PK ability. Which players make the lineup will likely depend on the opponent and which elements are needed more.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I'm still hesitant after these last two games to keep Joseph out. And this is coming from someone who isn't a Joseph fan.

I know he's a dime-a-dozen type, but the way the team looked, I'm wondering if he's a big time character guy. Maybe he helps keep the room light? Maybe he's one of the guys who sort of helped them turn the corner to where they are now?

Idk but you do sometimes hear stories where the hot shot kid comes in, knocks a well-liked vet out of the lineup, gets unearned PP time, etc, and all that stuff not necessarily going over well in the room.

Hopefully I'm way off base as I like what I've seen from the kid as well!

Rumor has it Joseph is the one that brought Jobu into the room. And he is a well liked member of the team from what I’ve seen. That said, he seems to be a team first type so I doubt he’ll cause a fuss.

Personally, I haven’t seen enough to declare Snuggy a top-6 NHLer yet. I’d say he’s done well his first 2 games and he remains a legit option for the 3rd line but agree with the poster that said that if anyone is going to get promoted up the lineup it should be Bolduc first.

I also see value in Joseph. He brings a different element, namely speed and PK ability. Which players make the lineup will likely depend on the opponent and which elements are needed more.

Joseph will be in with Holloway out (assuming he's at least out this next one) but you got to think that Joseph has a role on this team in the lineup. Yesterday was the first time in a while the WTF line wasn't noticeable. Torpedo was the only one I could see standing out. Joseph should at worst be on that line in all reality. I know why we don't want to break it up. But Joseph is a better player than all those guys.

I side with you on Snuggs. It's clear he has a NHL shot and good vision. But he hasn't done anything to be a top 6 guy. Hopefully he's got enough runway here to get his game to where it can impact in the playoffs. Some rookies have made noise in the playoffs just for being fresher.

[Sweetred95ta]

He is getting pushed off of the puck at times with no ability to recover. He's panicking with the puck, also. I see the skill and feel he's going to be a good player in the NHL, but he needs some time to further develop. As much as I enjoy seeing the young guys get playing time, I'd put him back in the pressbox for now. Just my opinion.

[dhsux]

Going to be interesting to see how Monty handles this as the season winds down in these critical games and, hopefully, after.

I though Snugger missed a great opportunity on that 2-1 when he passed on the shot and dished it off in the third I believe.

[TBone]

he's clearly got the shot and vision. He's getting roughed up out there and is still making plays. He's almost scored now 2 times. Potting that assist yesterday was huge. Nothing worse than joining a new team as the young guy and not delivering for an extended period. I think they need to carve out a role for him as a PP Merchant. Our PP is dreadful, and now we have someone with a bonified shot. You have Bolduc, Snuggs, and Hollywood (if he's not hurt). We need to change that stuff up and put some guys on the dots.

I'm not sure why they're playing him as the net front (other than he'll do it without complaining) when he should be lining up one-timers.

[STL fan in MN]

I'm still hesitant after these last two games to keep Joseph out. And this is coming from someone who isn't a Joseph fan.

I know he's a dime-a-dozen type, but the way the team looked, I'm wondering if he's a big time character guy. Maybe he helps keep the room light? Maybe he's one of the guys who sort of helped them turn the corner to where they are now?

Idk but you do sometimes hear stories where the hot shot kid comes in, knocks a well-liked vet out of the lineup, gets unearned PP time, etc, and all that stuff not necessarily going over well in the room.

Hopefully I'm way off base as I like what I've seen from the kid as well!

Rumor has it Joseph is the one that brought Jobu into the room. And he is a well liked member of the team from what I’ve seen. That said, he seems to be a team first type so I doubt he’ll cause a fuss.

Personally, I haven’t seen enough to declare Snuggy a top-6 NHLer yet. I’d say he’s done well his first 2 games and he remains a legit option for the 3rd line but agree with the poster that said that if anyone is going to get promoted up the lineup it should be Bolduc first.

I also see value in Joseph. He brings a different element, namely speed and PK ability. Which players make the lineup will likely depend on the opponent and which elements are needed more.

Joseph will be in with Holloway out (assuming he's at least out this next one) but you got to think that Joseph has a role on this team in the lineup. Yesterday was the first time in a while the WTF line wasn't noticeable. Torpedo was the only one I could see standing out. Joseph should at worst be on that line in all reality. I know why we don't want to break it up. But Joseph is a better player than all those guys.

I side with you on Snuggs. It's clear he has a NHL shot and good vision. But he hasn't done anything to be a top 6 guy. Hopefully he's got enough runway here to get his game to where it can impact in the playoffs. Some rookies have made noise in the playoffs just for being fresher.

Yeah, Joseph will be back in the lineup with Holloway out. And Snuggy obviously stays now too. Monty clearly doesn’t favor Texier and will only use him as a last resort.

I too could see Snuggy helping in the playoffs. Thus it’s important he get in some games in the NHL here the last couple weeks of the season to try to get some of the initial rookie mistakes out of the way before the playoffs start.

[Bacchk29]

He's got offensive game but not sure about the all around game yet, and that's important in the playoffs. He's fine on the third line and if anyone is moving up to more playing time it should be Bolduc.

Can we not start on the kid not having an all around game 2 games into his career? I see enough vision to give him PP time and 10-12 min a game for now. We know what Joseph is - doesn’t help your PP

[blues2112]

Not enough NHL data to make an assessment: 27 minutes of total ice time, five shots, three giveaways, 67 percent o-zone starts.

[LGB73]

He's got offensive game but not sure about the all around game yet, and that's important in the playoffs. He's fine on the third line and if anyone is moving up to more playing time it should be Bolduc.

Can we not start on the kid not having an all around game 2 games into his career? I see enough vision to give him PP time and 10-12 min a game for now. We know what Joseph is - doesn’t help your PP

I didn't say he didn't, I'm not sure because of limited time. Joseph doesn't help on the PP but does on the PK and plays a more forechecking physical style than Snuggerud. Snuggerud has more offensive upside and would help the PP. I've seen enough that it's whatever the coach feels like he needs in any given game or playoff series.

[DawgDad]

Right now we can thank our lucky stars Snuggerud is here because Holloway is out. He's scoring depth, in a scoring context he looks better than the other options including Texier. If that's not the case I'm sure Monty will put Texier back in. His minutes can be controlled in-game, and if needed Monty can juggle lines.

Blues were fortunate to have Leddy back when Parayko went down. Depth matters, especially at this juncture.