The St. Louis Blues are currently making a playoff push with plenty of opportunity to sneak in. A lot of key contributors have come forward throughout this run under head coach Jim Montgomery.
This piece will delve into the most underrated Blues players in 2024-25 from a leaguewide perspective. Some of these players may be properly rated by fans of this team. Let’s get into the three players and why I believe they haven’t been talked about enough outside of St. Louis.
Zachary Bolduc
Zachary Bolduc has been tremendous for a lot of the 2024-25 season in St. Louis, which also happens to be his first full NHL season. There were flashes of what he could become last season, but he’s put a lot of his two-way game together this season. I know the production isn’t elite, but he’s been overly steady for a 22-year-old. He’s got 12 goals and 26 points in 58 games with a plus/minus of plus-13. It’s important to note that he’s producing while also playing fewer than 13 minutes of ice time per game.
It’s former first-round picks like Bolduc and Jake Neighbours who haven’t become NHL superstars, but they’ve played at a high level in their roles with this squad. The best thing about Bolduc’s game is that he’s already good, but can become much better over the next few seasons. I think he needs to be talked about more when the Blues are discussed at the national level.
Philip Broberg
There was plenty of Philip Broberg buzz in the early part of this season when he got off to a red-hot start with the Blues. He got injured and that disrupted part of his season, but he’s been steady when healthy in his first season since departing the Edmonton Oilers and signed an offer sheet with St. Louis.
In 55 games this season, Broberg has 21 points and is a plus-12 overall. He’s been a quality top-four pairing defenseman with room to grow at just 23 years old. Getting him at under $5 million for this season and next season was a brilliant move by general manager Doug Armstrong and his front office. He’s been overshadowed by the other Oiler who joined the Blues on an offer sheet – Dylan Holloway.
The bottom line is that they’ve both been excellent and I think Broberg is being somewhat underrated right now, but I could be wrong there. Either way, he deserves to be highlighted for his play this season.
Nathan Walker
Nathan Walker has been a big part of the club’s fourth line for a few seasons now, despite a lack of opportunity at times. He’s a terrific spark plug for this group. He scores goals, makes the right plays, and isn’t afraid to mix it up with the opposition despite being undersized. I’ve always been impressed with his impact on the club when playing. He has seven goals this season while playing fourth-line-level ice time. He isn’t discussed enough as an impact bottom-six player on a national scale, but I understand why. He’s important for this team regardless.
Related: Blues’ Lack of Trade Deadline Moves Shows Long-Term Focus
All three of these players deserve more attention in general. They will be major reasons why the Blues make the playoffs if they do. Each one has played a crucial role in 2024-25 and that can’t be denied. I’ve been wildly impressed by the poise of both Bolduc and Broberg, as well as the steadiness and importance of Walker. Props to Montgomery for getting a lot out of this team in his time as head coach this season.
