Predicting Jimmy Snuggerud’s 2026-27 Season With the Blues

There were also signs that Snuggerud could become a considerably better goal scorer as he develops. He generated 169 shots in 70 games and converted 12.4 percent of them into goals. Neither number appears unsustainable. If anything, an increased role should result in Snuggerud putting significantly more pucks on net.

His rookie season even earned league-wide recognition. He earned himself a spot on the NHL’s All-Rookie Team, while he finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting. That recognition reinforced what his numbers already showed: Snuggerud was not merely experiencing a promising introduction to professional hockey. He was already establishing himself as an important piece of the Blues’ future.

If he plays 80-plus games (and the regular season is being extended to 84 games this season) and increases his shot total to the 200-to-225 range, a 25-to-30-goal season becomes a very realistic expectation.

The Top Line Factor

The Blues’ top line looks very exciting heading into the season. Robert Thomas may push 90 points while Dylan Holloway may make a run at 35-40 goals. The third forward on this line, Snuggerud, may also benefit.

Thomas is the type of center who can make life significantly easier for a natural shooter. His vision, puck possession, and ability to create opportunities through the middle of the ice allow his wingers to find open areas rather than constantly having to manufacture their own offense. Snuggerud already showed he could get into dangerous scoring positions during his rookie year. Playing with an elite distributor such as Thomas should create even more opportunities.

Snuggerud would not necessarily need to have the puck on his stick for extended periods. Instead, he could focus on finding soft areas in defensive coverage, getting into shooting position, and letting Thomas locate him. That combination could be especially dangerous because the Minnesota native has already shown he can contribute in different ways offensively. He scored 16 even-strength goals in 2025-26 but also added five power-play goals. His 30 assists also show he is far more than a shooter.

Holloway, meanwhile, brings speed, power, and an aggressive approach that complements Thomas and Snuggerud’s skill sets. He can attack defenders, retrieve pucks, and create chaos around the net. His ability to drive toward the net would force defenders to respect his speed and physicality. Thomas would demand attention because of his ability to control possession and distribute the puck. That could leave Snuggerud with exactly what a player possessing his shot wants: a little extra space.

The Power Play

Snuggerud scored five power-play goals as a rookie, but his shooting ability gives him the potential to become one of St. Louis’ primary weapons with the man advantage. An increased role on the first power-play unit could significantly boost his overall scoring totals. Even adding three or four additional power-play goals and several assists would push him comfortably beyond his rookie production.

Furthermore, increased production on the man advantage by Snuggerud would be much needed for a Blues team that ranked near the bottom of the league in power-play percentage.

Developmental Curve

Snuggerud was only 21 during the 2025-26 season. He should continue getting stronger, becoming more comfortable against NHL defenders, and developing a better understanding of how to create scoring opportunities at the professional level.

In addition, the young forward is on a clearer roster than last season. The front office moved on from players like Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou to add more youth to the lineup. The roster should have a more established identity this season, which should help Snuggerud settle into a groove.

On the developmental curve, the bottom line is simple. The Blues received 51 points from Snuggerud while he was still learning. What happens when he isn’t anymore?

Reasonable Projections

A reasonable projection for Snuggerud in 2026-27 would be somewhere around 28 goals, 40 assists, and 68 points over roughly 78-82 games. That would represent substantial growth without requiring an unrealistic shooting percentage or dramatic offensive explosion.

His ceiling, however, could be higher.

As I noted in the Blues’ season preview, if Thomas, Holloway, and Snuggerud develop immediate chemistry, Snuggerud could make a run at 30-plus goals and 70-75 points. Increased power-play opportunities would make that possibility even more realistic.

The most encouraging part for St. Louis is that Snuggerud does not need to become the focal point of the offense for those numbers to happen. Thomas can serve as the primary playmaker. Holloway can attack defenses with his combination of speed and strength. Snuggerud can be the line’s opportunistic finisher while continuing to develop his playmaking.

A Sophomore Star?

Snuggerud’s sophomore season could be the one in which he transitions from a promising young winger into a legitimate NHL star. Surrounded by talent and his own skill set, he will have every opportunity to take that next step.