Why the Blues want to trade Kyrou

[a smell of green grass]

[Kyrou] failed to stick and build chemistry with Thomas over several seasons.

Not trying to start a fight, but curious why you repeat that.

In his three previous seasons, primarily with The Thompson, he scored 95 goals, had his two best point seasons, best assist season and best goal season.

My (sometimes bad) memory is that the play of each suffered without the other

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

he was moved off to spread out the talent. Then when halloway came they were basically the best line for blues

That is a possibility, and I don't completely deny your opinion. However, my opinion, while already stated in several ways (and always subject to change), is that Kyrou was -38 and Thomas -8 in 22/23 when the collapse began. There were notable issues with that 1st line which failed to lead the team by example. Thomas went down in points to sub-70. Then, the next season, Thomas immediately bumped back up to 80+ points and has never looked back. Finally, last season, when not paired together for the best winning streak in Blues franchise history, both Thomas and Kyrou had career performances, despite Buch having down years offensively. Meanwhile, in the playoffs, Buch was a PPG player and looked the part carrying a rookie with a handful of games under his belt, while Kyrou scored only 3 goals and no assists while carrying no one. Thomas (also a PPG playoff performer) and Buch both had more hits than Kyrou, who had 7 in 7 games. My opinion remains that Kyrou does not drive play, does not carry his linemates, but can score a lot (and even in timely fashion) when paired with teammates who do the heavy lifting (Holloway), and has improved his play away from the puck over the years, including on the backcheck.

Scored only 3 goals yet still led the team. Where the farg was everyone else?

He scored 2 PP goals, one in garbage time on a 7-2 win where he was -1, but did have an early ES goal in game 7.

Those were his only points. I agree that others, like Broberg and Bolduc, should've had more points, but Kyrou was outscored by:

Fowler, Thomas, Buch, Parayko, Neighbours, Faksa, Walker, Toropchenko, and Snuggerudd (in that order)

Tied for 11th in points (8th amongst forwards), and 9th on the team in ATOI (5th amongst forwards, but I think he missed time after running into Stanley).

Fowler, Thomas, Buch, Parayko, Neighbours, Faksa, Walker, Toropchenko, and Snuggerudd

Outscored? Kyrou was tied with the team lead at 3 goals. Deep dive the quality of the goals all you want but he scored the first goal in Game 7, biggest game of the season. Not sure what else fans want from him. Yes we would all like some more intensity on the puck, perhaps passion but Kyrou is a pure goal scorer and you have to score goals to win games. Im sure he had some side effect from getting rocked by Stanley but he didnt miss a game or a shift.

The memo didn't reach Kyrou that playoff hockey is less a graceful ballet and more a gladiatorial skirmish on ice. Getting introduced to Stanley in such a dramatic fashion should have been his cue to start training for 'Cage Match: The Hockey Edition'. His regular season performances are fantastic for those who enjoy speed and scoring fireworks, but when the postseason hits, it's time for the dainty stickhandling to take a backseat to some serious grunt work. It's not about becoming a brick wall, but maybe something a bit more substantial than a speed bump. Just add a little beef to that game, Jordan, so he doesn't get tossed around like a salad in a tornado.

The guy beefed up last offseason. Im sure he does again. Kyrou has performed in the playoffs and performed in this playoff. If he had assists and no goals then ge should be sciring cuz hes a goal scorer. Put up goals and assists and niw he should bang. You guys want someone to be something they are not but still strive to be.

Thomas doesnt shoot, buch does nothing but play D, schenn spend the whole series trying to flatten people, neighbours didnt create, bolduc disappeared, holloway didnt show up, parayko wasnt quite right. Most of these guys get a pass because “thats not who they are” but kyrou has to be everything while being basically the only skill player on the line. If he would have shown out hevwould be mackinnon. But we all know kyrou is not mackinnon. Probably why he only got 8mil.

This is a very good insight. I had not thought of the situation from this angle.

In response, I just have one question...

It seems to me that everyone has to get dirty and "hit somebody". If Kyrou were to get a "pass" because he is the goal scorer, then wouldn't everyone want to be the goal scorer and keep their teeth?

I look at it like this....
It typically takes 3 people (or more) for every goal, and I want all 3 to DO THEIR JOB, which includes using their body to win the game at every opportunity.

[dhsux]

The guy beefed up last offseason. Im sure he does again. Kyrou has performed in the playoffs and performed in this playoff. If he had assists and no goals then ge should be sciring cuz hes a goal scorer. Put up goals and assists and niw he should bang. You guys want someone to be something they are not but still strive to be.

Thomas doesnt shoot, buch does nothing but play D, schenn spend the whole series trying to flatten people, neighbours didnt create, bolduc disappeared, holloway didnt show up, parayko wasnt quite right. Most of these guys get a pass because “thats not who they are” but kyrou has to be everything while being basically the only skill player on the line. If he would have shown out hevwould be mackinnon. But we all know kyrou is not mackinnon. Probably why he only got 8mil.

This is the thing and you said it well.

There's not a poster here who thinks JK should not improve his deficiencies but somehow there remains a fair contingent who refuse to acknowledge or compliment his improvements which has been quite obvious. For them he's pretty much what you call a whipping boy while plenty others some how magically escape their wrath.

And btw if you want to literally pin the series loss on a guy or two it's Buch or Faulk with their poor decisions and executions in the waning seconds of game seven.

[zamadoo]

The guy beefed up last offseason. Im sure he does again. Kyrou has performed in the playoffs and performed in this playoff. If he had assists and no goals then ge should be sciring cuz hes a goal scorer. Put up goals and assists and niw he should bang. You guys want someone to be something they are not but still strive to be.

Thomas doesnt shoot, buch does nothing but play D, schenn spend the whole series trying to flatten people, neighbours didnt create, bolduc disappeared, holloway didnt show up, parayko wasnt quite right. Most of these guys get a pass because “thats not who they are” but kyrou has to be everything while being basically the only skill player on the line. If he would have shown out hevwould be mackinnon. But we all know kyrou is not mackinnon. Probably why he only got 8mil.

This is the thing and you said it well.

There's not a poster here who thinks JK should not improve his deficiencies but somehow there remains a fair contingent who refuse to acknowledge or compliment his improvements which has been quite obvious. For them he's pretty much what you call a whipping boy while plenty others some how magically escape their wrath.

And btw if you want to literally pin the series loss on a guy or two it's Buch or Faulk with their poor decisions and executions in the waning seconds of game seven.

I'm fine with Faulk as a whipping boy but when he turns it on and goes Wolfman, he's a different beast.

Fun fact: Kyrou is the same age now as Faulk was his first season as a Blue.

[bud white]

No one ... NO ONE critical of Kyrou has said that they want him to hit somebody.




The fact of the matter is that in the playoffs there is less time and space than in the regular season. You have to fight though the coverage to get scoring opportunities. You have to pressure the opposition in to a mistake - you do this through forechecking or aggressive gap control. Coasting around and waiting isn't a formula for success in the playoffs. It is a "push push push" mentality for 4 rounds.

The critics of Kyrou - myself among them - don't see that mentality at all. They don't see him pushing through defenders, they don't see him wanting the puck more than the other guy.

[MikoTython]

No one ... NO ONE critical of Kyrou has said that they want him to hit somebody.




The fact of the matter is that in the playoffs there is less time and space than in the regular season. You have to fight though the coverage to get scoring opportunities. You have to pressure the opposition in to a mistake - you do this through forechecking or aggressive gap control. Coasting around and waiting isn't a formula for success in the playoffs. It is a "push push push" mentality for 4 rounds.

The critics of Kyrou - myself among them - don't see that mentality at all. They don't see him pushing through defenders, they don't see him wanting the puck more than the other guy.

Au contraire, Bud. I've read it many times. OK, Kyrou hasn't been the most physical guy, but who has matched him on o-fence, INCLUDING in the playoffs.

Hoping he adds ten #s of mussel, adds a bit of sand to his game, but I wouldn't want to lose his scoring, either. It's all double & triple standards.

The other thing, he might have been not 100%. Kyrou was not the reason the boys didn't advance against the Jets.

[Harry York 37]

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Agree 100 percent with that.

Regardless of his linemates over the past 4-5 seasons, Kyrou consistently scores goals few others on Blues can.

I agree, but now I think Snuggerudd is also on that tier of goal scorer. Carbonneau will be that eventually.

Goodness, I don't want to forget about Dvorsky!

Edit: Actually, I want to also mention something that drives me nuts about Kyrou: Elite skating, but almost never uses it to drive to the net. I hardly see him blowing by defenders, and perhaps they are watching for him, though he has been using the wrap-around a lot recently. He's done better at chipping the puck in deep rather than doing that insanely maddening turnaround (and turnover) at the blueline.

Faster linemates would help with that, otherwise people would be complaining; why is he trying to go 1 on 3??

Yes, as has been noted, Holloway vastly helped Kyrou by being the leading forechecker who can drive the line with his speed and tenacity. It doesn't stop Kyrou from going 1 on 3, where he has impressive success sometimes, but it has helped him.

For "The Fastest Skater" ASG Winner, it is puzzling. Perron and Oshie made those plays happen. Why can't Kyrou?

Maybe because Zam is saying it does.

I guy with a open mind like yours should see that.

Good grief.

Would you please rephrase that into a comment less oblique and snarky and TRY to answer my question?
Is that too much to ask?

[rezero]

I get so sick of hearing this ap-cray endlessly. He's a scoring winger, he scores in the play-offs 2, he's young, fast, on a well-aging contract, fits this roster quite well.

Plus, he's a good guy. He gets better every year.

Agree. Plus after he put on 10lbs last year his game went up another notch. He was more physical than Buch with more hits, blocks, takeaways, etc… He lead the team in +/- and goals. Blues would be idiots to trade him. It would basically mean we are giving up for the next 2-3 years if we are waiting for players like Snuggerud or Dvorsky to play at his level.

[dhsux]

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Agree 100 percent with that.

Regardless of his linemates over the past 4-5 seasons, Kyrou consistently scores goals few others on Blues can.

I agree, but now I think Snuggerudd is also on that tier of goal scorer. Carbonneau will be that eventually.

Goodness, I don't want to forget about Dvorsky!

Edit: Actually, I want to also mention something that drives me nuts about Kyrou: Elite skating, but almost never uses it to drive to the net. I hardly see him blowing by defenders, and perhaps they are watching for him, though he has been using the wrap-around a lot recently. He's done better at chipping the puck in deep rather than doing that insanely maddening turnaround (and turnover) at the blueline.

Faster linemates would help with that, otherwise people would be complaining; why is he trying to go 1 on 3??

Yes, as has been noted, Holloway vastly helped Kyrou by being the leading forechecker who can drive the line with his speed and tenacity. It doesn't stop Kyrou from going 1 on 3, where he has impressive success sometimes, but it has helped him.

For "The Fastest Skater" ASG Winner, it is puzzling. Perron and Oshie made those plays happen. Why can't Kyrou?

Maybe because Zam is saying it does.

I guy with a open mind like yours should see that.

Good grief.

Would you please rephrase that into a comment less oblique and snarky and TRY to answer my question?
Is that too much to ask?

You're not snarky Harry?

You get what you give.

I've been reading your "snark" on JK for months dude. I've read and read and actually have said very little in return of all your posts which are redundant and over the top to say the least. I mean please, you are now down to even if he's good it's because others made him good.

How many bash posts have you made on Kyrou?

It's ridiculous.

I have no idea where your "question" is in all this so please do ask me what that might be.

[rezero]

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Zam, please elaborate on the comment about Kyrou lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, we have was above Buch the last 2 years in both areas. Based on the logic, Buch should be the trade bait, because along with being a much softer player, he also doesn’t score anything like Kyrou can.

[Younghopp1991]

No one ... NO ONE critical of Kyrou has said that they want him to hit somebody.




The fact of the matter is that in the playoffs there is less time and space than in the regular season. You have to fight though the coverage to get scoring opportunities. You have to pressure the opposition in to a mistake - you do this through forechecking or aggressive gap control. Coasting around and waiting isn't a formula for success in the playoffs. It is a "push push push" mentality for 4 rounds.

The critics of Kyrou - myself among them - don't see that mentality at all. They don't see him pushing through defenders, they don't see him wanting the puck more than the other guy.

There are plenty of people that want him mucking it up in the corners. Ive even said a few times in another thread that i want him to actually give a (bleep) about neighbours when hes getting mauled. I want to see a crosscheck when binner gets bumped a little too hard. I want to see the passion. But i am not going to sit here and dog out a guy who just 2 seasons ago had a laundry list of problems he needed to work on. Today we are only saying he needs to be stronger on the puck and show more heart. Im not quitting on him till he stops improving his play. I honestly think he is afraid to engage too much because he doesnt want to go to the box. Kyrou doesnt take many penalties. Is he that disciplined in his play or is he afraid to get too involved for fear of going to the box?

Ps- not saying you specifically dog him. Just the crowd that does.

[zamadoo]

I get so sick of hearing this ap-cray endlessly. He's a scoring winger, he scores in the play-offs 2, he's young, fast, on a well-aging contract, fits this roster quite well.

Plus, he's a good guy. He gets better every year.

Agree. Plus after he put on 10lbs last year his game went up another notch. He was more physical than Buch with more hits, blocks, takeaways, etc… He lead the team in +/- and goals. Blues would be idiots to trade him. It would basically mean we are giving up for the next 2-3 years if we are waiting for players like Snuggerud or Dvorsky to play at his level.

He had half as many hits as Buch in the playoffs, averaging 1 per game, and only 3 points, all being goals, with 2 on the PP and the 1 at the opening of game 7.

I don't want to trade him for nothing and wait for rookies. I want to trade him for Juraj Slafkovsky.

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Zam, please elaborate on the comment about Kyrou lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, we have was above Buch the last 2 years in both areas. Based on the logic, Buch should be the trade bait, because along with being a much softer player, he also doesn’t score anything like Kyrou can.

Are you using the take/giveaway stats to justify your position? Those seem to be a crock of [shirt], especially this past season. If you're not basing your opinion on those stats, then where does it come from? It couldn't be the eye test. More specifically, in the playoffs, Buch is by far the more complete player.

That said, I would just as easily trade Buch. I just think we could get more for Kyrou who is a 27 y/o scoring RW.

[rezero]

I get so sick of hearing this ap-cray endlessly. He's a scoring winger, he scores in the play-offs 2, he's young, fast, on a well-aging contract, fits this roster quite well.

Plus, he's a good guy. He gets better every year.

Agree. Plus after he put on 10lbs last year his game went up another notch. He was more physical than Buch with more hits, blocks, takeaways, etc… He lead the team in +/- and goals. Blues would be idiots to trade him. It would basically mean we are giving up for the next 2-3 years if we are waiting for players like Snuggerud or Dvorsky to play at his level.

He had half as many hits as Buch in the playoffs, averaging 1 per game, and only 3 points, all being goals, with 2 on the PP and the 1 at the opening of game 7.

I don't want to trade him for nothing and wait for rookies. I want to trade him for Juraj Slafkovsky.

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Zam, please elaborate on the comment about Kyrou lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, we have was above Buch the last 2 years in both areas. Based on the logic, Buch should be the trade bait, because along with being a much softer player, he also doesn’t score anything like Kyrou can.

Are you using the take/giveaway stats to justify your position? Those seem to be a crock of [shirt], especially this past season. If you're not basing your opinion on those stats, then where does it come from? It couldn't be the eye test. More specifically, in the playoffs, Buch is by far the more complete player.

That said, I would just as easily trade Buch. I just think we could get more for Kyrou who is a 27 y/o scoring RW.

Not even close in the physicality of Buch vs Kyrou in 2024-25. Maybe pre 2024, but not last year. Buch avoids contact all game. He never mucks it up in the corner and tries to steal pucks. Binny get ran over in game 3 and Buch skates off the ice and leaves Bolduc and Neighbors to clean up the mess. Watch him play and he only plays for himself. He is only physical and agressive if someone hits him first, but never sticks up for his team. People give him a free pass because he head butted someone 2 years ago after the whistle, but while the clock is running he is the softest wing on this team……by far. Plus, Buch has the lowest hockey IQ on the team. Slashes someone with 90 seconds left on the clock with Blues up by one. Ices the puck and cost us the Vancouver series when Thomas was wide open and only 20 seconds on the clock. He is not the more well rounded player.

[theograce]

Watch him play and he only plays for himself. He is only physical and agressive if someone hits him first, but never sticks up for his team.

The Rangers kicked him out of town for this…in large part

[zamadoo]

I get so sick of hearing this ap-cray endlessly. He's a scoring winger, he scores in the play-offs 2, he's young, fast, on a well-aging contract, fits this roster quite well.

Plus, he's a good guy. He gets better every year.

Agree. Plus after he put on 10lbs last year his game went up another notch. He was more physical than Buch with more hits, blocks, takeaways, etc… He lead the team in +/- and goals. Blues would be idiots to trade him. It would basically mean we are giving up for the next 2-3 years if we are waiting for players like Snuggerud or Dvorsky to play at his level.

He had half as many hits as Buch in the playoffs, averaging 1 per game, and only 3 points, all being goals, with 2 on the PP and the 1 at the opening of game 7.

I don't want to trade him for nothing and wait for rookies. I want to trade him for Juraj Slafkovsky.

My (also sometimes bad) memory is that he's been moved off of Thomas' wing repeatedly, and my argument would be that it's not because of total points scored in a season. He's going to score. No argument there. He just had his best season overall playing with Holloway and Schenn, two guys who will battle on the forecheck and do the dirty work (like Neighbours, who had chemistry with Thomas). My opinion is that Kyrou's lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, along with Thomas/Kyrou/Buch always deferring to each other instead of shooting (driving Blues fans and John Kelly crazy), led to three different coaches splitting them up. I would also say part of that was to spread out the scoring talent.

Zam, please elaborate on the comment about Kyrou lack of forechecking and puck retrieval ability, we have was above Buch the last 2 years in both areas. Based on the logic, Buch should be the trade bait, because along with being a much softer player, he also doesn’t score anything like Kyrou can.

Are you using the take/giveaway stats to justify your position? Those seem to be a crock of [shirt], especially this past season. If you're not basing your opinion on those stats, then where does it come from? It couldn't be the eye test. More specifically, in the playoffs, Buch is by far the more complete player.

That said, I would just as easily trade Buch. I just think we could get more for Kyrou who is a 27 y/o scoring RW.

Not even close in the physicality of Buch vs Kyrou in 2024-25. Maybe pre 2024, but not last year. Buch avoids contact all game. He never mucks it up in the corner and tries to steal pucks. Binny get ran over in game 3 and Buch skates off the ice and leaves Bolduc and Neighbors to clean up the mess. Watch him play and he only plays for himself. He is only physical and agressive if someone hits him first, but never sticks up for his team. People give him a free pass because he head butted someone 2 years ago after the whistle, but while the clock is running he is the softest wing on this team……by far. Plus, Buch has the lowest hockey IQ on the team. Slashes someone with 90 seconds left on the clock with Blues up by one. Ices the puck and cost us the Vancouver series when Thomas was wide open and only 20 seconds on the clock. He is not the more well rounded player.

I'm scavenging for evidence. So far, I've found this clip of Buch mucking it up and Kyrou standing around watching and looking confused. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkLI53q ... =SPORTSNET

While I would say Kyrou made significant strides this past season, his playoff grit was lacking, and I disagree that he was better checking than Buch. My objection to your statement that Buch plays only for himself lies in the players' reactions and emotions when Buch is on his game. As has been discussed on this board, it seems like the guys in the locker room really like him. On the video shared from the playoffs, he stuck up for his teammates (or at least tried to), while Kyrou watched. This is only one example, and I'm sure you could find others that are the opposite. Lowest IQ on the team bc of some mistakes kind of makes me chuckle. Remember that time Schenn grabbed the puck and threw it down the ice? good times. Buch, not a more well rounded player according to you, plays on the PK, wheras Kyrou, who should excel with this skating, does not. Buch was even tried at center due to his two-way play and hockey IQ. Perhaps we will just have to agree to disagree. I say trade them both?

[somni]

Disagree about Buchnevich avoiding contact. While he may not be a banger, he gets in the corner and gets the puck. He's elusive at getting the puck and can be an excellent passer once he gets it. His shot is great too, but under utilized. He certainly has some synergy with Thomas. That's why they are always paired together. He can get a little nasty...which I kind of wish he'd do more.

Kyrou has tremendous skill. Amazing even. My problem with Kyrou is situational awareness. How many times can we see him try to deek going into the offensive blueline only to turnover the puck leading to odd man break to the other team, when he should put the puck in the corner and retrieve it. Or his unwillingness to shoot. He has a great shot, but at times he'd rather be a passer. It can be mind-boggling.

Kyrou is 27 y/o...so he's at his prime. He now has some great synergy with Holloway and he's gotten better at playing a straight-forward game. But he sometimes can revert to the perimeter or trying to make a unnecessary play than playing the more simple and smarter play.

I have faith in Monty to get the best out of him. No doubt Kyrou has some skill, he just needs to know when to make the smarter play. And for all that is hockey holy....shoot more. Use the shot that the hockey gods gave you!

I'm on the fence whether or not he fits in a playoff team. Two years ago, I was ready to move on. But as I said, I have faith in Monty.

[DawgDad]

Buchnevich has been modestly but steadily declining since the 21-22 season. He's been asked to carry more load, play center or carry a younger winger at times, and it seems to be wearing on him. He would really benefit from even a modestly better season to put any creeping doubts to rest, including his own frustrations.

Kyrou is a different type of player, a contradiction of sorts. His great talent enables him to create scoring chances and goals from seemingly nothing, yet at times he fails to make the the simple obvious plays, and he is not physically strong on the puck. His offensive contributions are considerable and consistent, and he's become a +/- stud at ES when paired with Holloway. The Blues need him, he would leave a huge hole in the lineup. I want to see him in the playoffs again, paired with a healthy Holloway and Schenn or Suter at center.