The Blues May Have Their Future Captain in Jake Neighbours

If the St. Louis Blues decide to name a captain before the 2026-27 season, Robert Thomas should be the favorite. He has established himself as one of the team’s best leaders and has been a key part of the organization for several seasons. But Thomas should not be the only player in that conversation.

Jake Neighbours has developed into a player who looks like a future captain for the Blues. At 24 years old, he is already taking on more responsibility, playing with a high level of intensity, and showing that he is willing to stand up for his teammates when the situation calls for it.

Neighbours still has plenty to prove before getting the C, especially with Thomas ahead of him in the order. However, if the Blues are looking at the players who could eventually become the next face of their leadership group, Neighbours belongs near the top of that list.

The Blues also have the option of entering the season without a captain. After trading Brayden Schenn, who had worn the C since 2023, St. Louis does not necessarily have to immediately name his replacement. The organization could choose to let its leadership group develop naturally while waiting for a clearer long-term option to emerge.

Neighbours Has Shown He Will Stand Up for His Teammates

One of the clearest signs of Neighbours’ leadership has been his willingness to get involved when his teammates are involved in something after the whistle.

He has shown that he will respond when a teammate takes a questionable hit or gets into a confrontation. He is not looking for fights, but he also is not going to stand around and watch when he feels one of his teammates needs support. That willingness to get involved can carry a lot of weight inside an NHL locker room.

Neighbours’ physical style makes that part of his personality even more noticeable. He plays with a high level of effort, battles for loose pucks, and is willing to take contact to make a play. He regularly puts himself in difficult areas of the ice, particularly around the net, where he has to deal with opposing defensemen trying to move him out of the way.

That approach has become a major part of his identity with the Blues, and it is one of the reasons he has earned the respect of his teammates.

Leadership is not always about being the most vocal player in the room. Sometimes it comes from being the teammate who consistently does the work and is willing to put himself in uncomfortable situations for the benefit of the team. Neighbours has increasingly shown that side of his game.

His Game Has Continued to Mature

Neighbours’ development has gone beyond his willingness to play a physical game. He has become a more complete player and is learning how to impact games even when he is not producing offensively.

During the 2025-26 season, Neighbours finished with 15 goals and 36 points in 69 games. Those numbers do not put him among the Blues’ top offensive producers, but his value is not limited to the scoresheet.

There are nights when his biggest contributions come from his forechecking, work along the boards or ability to create pressure in the offensive zone. He can make life difficult for opposing defensemen and create opportunities simply by continuing to work after the first play breaks down. That consistency is important for someone who could eventually become a captain.

Every NHL team will go through stretches when its best players are not scoring. A captain still has to find ways to contribute, whether that means winning a puck battle, creating a scoring chance through effort, or providing the energy the team needs to get back into a game. Neighbours has already shown that he can have an impact in those situations.

He has also become more comfortable taking responsibility when the Blues need more from him. At only 24, he still has plenty of room to grow in that area, but the progression is noticeable.

Thomas Is the Likely Choice, But Neighbours Is Next

If the Blues decide to name a captain before the upcoming season, Thomas remains the most logical choice. He has been one of the organization’s most important players for years and has grown into a major part of its future. His offensive ability, experience, and importance to the roster make him a natural candidate to take over the role. Neighbours should be viewed as the next player in line, though.

The Blues are entering a period where several young players are expected to take on larger roles, and Neighbours is at an age where he can remain part of that group for a long time. He has enough NHL experience to understand what is expected at this level while still being young enough to grow alongside players such as Jimmy Snuggerud and the other young pieces coming through the organization.

That gives Neighbours an opportunity to become one of the players who set the standard for that group.

He does not need to be the most talented player on the roster to become a leader. He needs to continue earning the trust of his teammates and coaches, improve his offensive consistency, and maintain the work ethic that has become one of the strongest parts of his game.

Neighbours Has Time to Grow Into the Role

The Blues do not need to rush Neighbours into a captaincy. If Thomas receives the C, Neighbours can continue developing while taking on more responsibility as an alternate captain and one of the team’s veteran voices.

That could be the best path for his development. It would allow him to learn what comes with being one of the team’s leaders without putting unnecessary pressure on him to take over the locker room immediately.

The qualities that could eventually make Neighbours a captain are already there. He plays hard, sticks up for his teammates, and does not shy away from difficult situations. He has shown that he can raise his level of effort when the team needs it and has become more comfortable taking charge on the ice.

His offensive game still needs to progress, and becoming a more consistent scorer would only strengthen his case. The Blues will need Neighbours to become more than an energetic, physical forward if he is eventually going to lead the team. At 24, however, there is plenty of time for that development to happen.

Thomas may be the player most likely to receive the C if the Blues make that decision now, but Neighbours should be right behind him. If he continues developing at his current pace, the Blues could have a player who is not only an important part of their lineup but eventually one of the central voices in their locker room.

The captaincy may belong to Thomas first, but Neighbours is already the next player in line.