Snuggerud So Far

[Bluesfan1978]

What are your thoughts on Snuggerud so far? Is he meeting or exceeding what you thought he would be right now?
I did not expect him to be able to jump in the lineup like he has. I’m surprised by his skating speed and ability to make quick skilled plays with the puck like he has. He also is giving a full effort to win puck battles and be good defensively.
The speed though is what I’m most surprised by. Every scouting report said skating was either a weakness or was just good enough. Are others surprised by this?
The last few days I heard Bolduc, Sunny and Jake all say he had good speed and in his first few games I would say they are right.

[seattleblue]

He looks like he's gaining confidence with every shift. At this moment, confidence is the #1 most important variable in his game.

He has specifically put himself through a draft+3 development year in the location he wanted to be doing that. His game was not like this a year ago. So although he would have signed and joined the Blues down the stretch, he wouldn't have looked this good then, and very possibly he would have been in the AHL developing during a D+3 year instead of in Minnesota. He spoke to working on his speed and board battles and leadership this past year, refining those aspects that are popping right now in just three NHL appearances.

His shot hasn't gone in yet but you can see it is even going to be higher end than Bolduc's, which is saying something. It's imminent.

[bud white]

He looks like he's gaining confidence with every shift. At this moment, confidence is the #1 most important variable in his game.

He has specifically put himself through a draft+3 development year in the location he wanted to be doing that. His game was not like this a year ago. So although he would have signed and joined the Blues down the stretch, he wouldn't have looked this good then, and very possibly he would have been in the AHL developing during a D+3 year instead of in Minnesota. He spoke to working on his speed and board battles and leadership this past year, refining those aspects that are popping right now in just three NHL appearances.

His shot hasn't gone in yet but you can see it is even going to be higher end than Bolduc's, which is saying something. It's imminent.

His release and vision are both very good. Teams will need to pay attention to him. That opens up other options on his line.

[Bluesfan1978]

He looks like he's gaining confidence with every shift. At this moment, confidence is the #1 most important variable in his game.

He has specifically put himself through a draft+3 development year in the location he wanted to be doing that. His game was not like this a year ago. So although he would have signed and joined the Blues down the stretch, he wouldn't have looked this good then, and very possibly he would have been in the AHL developing during a D+3 year instead of in Minnesota. He spoke to working on his speed and board battles and leadership this past year, refining those aspects that are popping right now in just three NHL appearances.

His shot hasn't gone in yet but you can see it is even going to be higher end than Bolduc's, which is saying something. It's imminent.

Absolutely agree that he said he was working on those areas and the reason he went back but I’m still pleasantly surprised with what I’m seeing. I watched the game Minnesota was eliminated in and I thought he played well but I didn’t think the speed element was this far developed watching that game. Now that is the only game I was able to watch this year. Either way definitely a plus how he’s looked so far. Can’t wait to see him add 10-15lbs to that frame over the next 2-3 years.

[Emma bleeds blue]

It's kind of a funny observation to me how much hype surrounds him - it seems like he's being treated like a top 5 pick, but he was #23. Bolduc was #17 and I don't recall the same kind of hype around him. But also just a random thought - Blues drafted Neighbours in 2020, Bolduc in 2021, and Snuggerud in 2022. It sure looks like they're going to hit on all three.

To your question though - his shot looks really dangerous. The shot he had on Talbot sounded like it might go through Talbot's chest and into the goal. I think Monty has been using him wisely too. I think he's looked good. As bud white mentioned, it looks like other teams may be respecting his shot quite a bit, I think that's how Buch got so wide open on his goal in the Avalanche game.

[noted]

Coach trusts him - Snuggerud played most min of any right winger yesterday.

Kyrou played 12. Bolduc 10. Snuggy played 16.

[seattleblue]

He looks like he's gaining confidence with every shift. At this moment, confidence is the #1 most important variable in his game.

He has specifically put himself through a draft+3 development year in the location he wanted to be doing that. His game was not like this a year ago. So although he would have signed and joined the Blues down the stretch, he wouldn't have looked this good then, and very possibly he would have been in the AHL developing during a D+3 year instead of in Minnesota. He spoke to working on his speed and board battles and leadership this past year, refining those aspects that are popping right now in just three NHL appearances.

His shot hasn't gone in yet but you can see it is even going to be higher end than Bolduc's, which is saying something. It's imminent.

His release and vision are both very good. Teams will need to pay attention to him. That opens up other options on his line.

100% it's like dropping in an impact black ace onto a team that's already rolling. There's just confidence reverberations all over the place, it's a perfect storm and it's ideal.

Here's a leadership decision. A year ago he knew all these experienced NHL adults wanted him to sign right then, thought his best career choice is to sign right then. But he was so thoroughly self-aware about his game that he identified what he needed to develop and where to maximize that development. He cut against a grain, took a risk, and he was right. That is every bit as impressive to me as the skating. That's real leadership. That makes me trust what I am seeing on the ice.

[seattleblue]

He looks like he's gaining confidence with every shift. At this moment, confidence is the #1 most important variable in his game.

He has specifically put himself through a draft+3 development year in the location he wanted to be doing that. His game was not like this a year ago. So although he would have signed and joined the Blues down the stretch, he wouldn't have looked this good then, and very possibly he would have been in the AHL developing during a D+3 year instead of in Minnesota. He spoke to working on his speed and board battles and leadership this past year, refining those aspects that are popping right now in just three NHL appearances.

His shot hasn't gone in yet but you can see it is even going to be higher end than Bolduc's, which is saying something. It's imminent.

Absolutely agree that he said he was working on those areas and the reason he went back but I’m still pleasantly surprised with what I’m seeing. I watched the game Minnesota was eliminated in and I thought he played well but I didn’t think the speed element was this far developed watching that game. Now that is the only game I was able to watch this year. Either way definitely a plus how he’s looked so far. Can’t wait to see him add 10-15lbs to that frame over the next 2-3 years.

Oh I watched that game too, watching U Mass claw back it was like ... Snuggy's almost here ...
So I validate this observation & pleasant surprise. That is what confidence does it turns coin flips into a lot of pleasant surprises.

Speaking of which I endured an absolutely abhorrent 2-26 Kelowna finish and the whole way was counting down to getting Stancl into the AHL to see this exact aspect, his skating and how it stacked up against pros. I am happy with what I see, I think he'll be there next year but he is not a far off option. His whole game is so well rounded, it was only a question of could he keep up. His brain keeps him up, he is really analogous to Faksa in that respect.

[dhsux]

It's kind of a funny observation to me how much hype surrounds him - it seems like he's being treated like a top 5 pick, but he was #23. Bolduc was #17 and I don't recall the same kind of hype around him. But also just a random thought - Blues drafted Neighbours in 2020, Bolduc in 2021, and Snuggerud in 2022. It sure looks like they're going to hit on all three.

To your question though - his shot looks really dangerous. The shot he had on Talbot sounded like it might go through Talbot's chest and into the goal. I think Monty has been using him wisely too. I think he's looked good. As bud white mentioned, it looks like other teams may be respecting his shot quite a bit, I think that's how Buch got so wide open on his goal in the Avalanche game.

Not sure about too much hype but I think his decision to stay at Minnesota (where he was a star) another year brought on a lot of focus and attention to him, certainly so here on this board.

I won't call him seasoned but he seems to be fitting right into things so kudos to him and the Blues.

[blackinkbiz]

Honestly, and I'm saying this as a neutral pragmatist who had 0 expectations of him since most first round picks (except maybe top 5 overalls) need at least half a season and often 1-2 years in the NHL to become full-time players, but he reminds me of a young Tarasenko.

Have yet to see him make any major mistakes and I've seen several impressive plays to go along with his 2 impressive assists.

Keep playing him every game!

[2forDiving]

I kept wondering when they were going to replace him on that top line last night and there he was hopping over the boards with less than 3 mins to go. So that says a lot.

[STL fan in MN]

What are your thoughts on Snuggerud so far? Is he meeting or exceeding what you thought he would be right now?
I did not expect him to be able to jump in the lineup like he has. I’m surprised by his skating speed and ability to make quick skilled plays with the puck like he has. He also is giving a full effort to win puck battles and be good defensively.
The speed though is what I’m most surprised by. Every scouting report said skating was either a weakness or was just good enough. Are others surprised by this?
The last few days I heard Bolduc, Sunny and Jake all say he had good speed and in his first few games I would say they are right.

He’s exceeded my expectations by a bit. I see him as a top-6 fixture for us for many years but didn’t think he’d seamlessly transition so well.

That said, it’s still early and he may just be running on adrenaline. The playoffs will be a whole new ballgame.

I watched about half of the Gophers games this season, 2 in person. The shot is elite. If you want to critique part of his game, watch and see which forward is almost always last back to the D zone - it’ll usually be Snuggy. His speed has gotten to NHL average but his acceleration (first few strides) still aren’t great. But much better than his draft year. I doubt he’ll ever be used much on the PK but as long as he can get his two-way game up to NHL average, he’ll be a mainstay NHL top-6 forward for years and an absolute PP weapon. Happy he’s done so well these first few games.

[John Cocktoastin]

His quick decision making - passes, positioning - are really what I've noticed. He doesn't appear to have any issues knowing his role and what he needs to do. A mature approach. Not phased a bit. It's fun watching the other players react to his good play.

The shot - it has done it's thing and almost found its way. Haven't seen a real laser yet. Don't think we'll have to wait long for that.

[blues2112]

Not enough data. He's played 43 minutes, 60 percent o-zone face-offs, the last game with one of the best centers in the league.

Blues are on an obvious avalanche of success, which started long before he played.

Perplexing how an observer could say he's exceeded or failed to meet expectations.

[Bluesfan1978]

My comments were based on I didn’t think his speed was this developed and I definitely didn’t think he could just step into this intense of games being played and not be a liability. Stick lifting MacKinnon to set up Buch’s goal is a high end play. Same with the assist on Jake’s goal the game before. Doesn’t mean he’s going to keep this up right now but it does mean he has that skill.

[Old_Goat]

He is a smart player. Good spot and good Coach for him. It's fun to watch.