Blues Three Carrying the Team: Thomas, Kyrou and Holloway Fuel Playoff Return

Robert Thomas: the elite playmaker leading the charge

Robert Thomas established himself as one of the NHL’s most underrated centers during the 2024-25 season, posting a team-leading 81 points across 70 games. The 25-year-old’s remarkable campaign featured 21 goals and 60 assists, showcasing his exceptional vision and playmaking ability. Thomas finished the season on an extraordinary 12-game point streak, accumulating four goals and 21 assists during that stretch to help propel the Blues into playoff position.

His offensive production earned Thomas consideration for major NHL awards, including 18th in Hart Trophy voting and 21st in Selke Trophy voting. These accolades reflected his two-way excellence, as he posted a plus-20 rating while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per game. Thomas’s ability to control play at even strength was particularly impressive, generating 4.0 goals per 60 minutes while maintaining responsible defensive play.

What made Thomas’s season truly exceptional was his consistency. Despite missing 12 games, he still managed to lead the team in total points, demonstrating just how dominant he was when on the ice. His 60 assists represented more than double the output of any other Blues forward, highlighting his role as the team’s primary setup man. Thomas quarterbacked the power play with precision, recording 16 power-play points while creating opportunities for his linemates.

The chemistry Thomas developed with various linemates throughout the season proved crucial to the Blues’ success. His hockey IQ allowed him to adapt to different players, whether distributing to snipers like Jordan Kyrou or setting up newcomers for success. Thomas’s performance solidified his status as the team’s number-one center and a building block for the future. As one of the NHL’s premier playmakers entering his prime years, Thomas showed he belongs in conversations about the league’s elite centers.

His impact extended beyond the stat sheet, as Thomas provided leadership and stability during challenging stretches of the season. The center’s ability to elevate his game when it mattered most, particularly during that late-season surge, demonstrated the clutch gene that separates good players from great ones. With his eight-year contract extension kicking in, Thomas proved he’s worth every penny by carrying the offensive load game after game.

Jordan Kyrou: the goal-scoring catalyst

Jordan Kyrou reclaimed his status as the Blues’ most dangerous offensive threat in 2024-25, leading the team with 36 goals while adding 34 assists for 70 points in all 82 games. The speedster’s durability and consistency provided the Blues with a reliable scoring option throughout the marathon NHL season. Kyrou’s 239 shots on goal led the team by a wide margin, reflecting his shoot-first mentality and willingness to test goaltenders from anywhere on the ice.

The 26-year-old winger demonstrated significant growth in his defensive game, posting a plus-23 rating that ranked among the team leaders. This improvement addressed previous criticisms about his two-way play and earned him consideration in Selke Trophy voting. Kyrou’s combination of elite speed and improved decision-making made him a constant threat in transition, generating odd-man rushes and creating space for his linemates.

Kyrou’s goal-scoring prowess came in crucial moments throughout the season. He recorded four game-winning goals and proved particularly effective at even strength with 29 tallies. His seven power-play goals added another dimension to the Blues’ special teams, giving them a dangerous one-timer option from the right circle. The consistency of his production kept defenses honest and prevented opponents from focusing entirely on Thomas.

What distinguished Kyrou’s 2024-25 campaign from previous seasons was his ability to maintain production over the entire year. While he had shown flashes of brilliance in past campaigns, this season represented the first time he put together a complete 82-game performance at an elite level. His 15.1% shooting percentage demonstrated improved shot selection, while his 239 shots showed he wasn’t hesitant to use his weapon.

The winger’s speed remained his greatest asset, as he continually burned defenders with his acceleration and top-end velocity. Kyrou’s ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone at full speed created countless scoring chances and stretched opposing defenses. Looking ahead, many analysts project that Kyrou has the potential to reach the 40-goal plateau, which would cement his status as an elite scorer in the NHL. His performance this season laid the foundation for even greater achievements.

Dylan Holloway: the breakout sensation

Perhaps no player exceeded expectations more dramatically than Dylan Holloway, who transformed from a depth forward in Edmonton to a bonafide top-six contributor in St. Louis. The 23-year-old’s breakout campaign featured 26 goals, 37 assists, and 63 points across 77 games, shattering his previous career highs in every offensive category. Holloway’s production represented a monumental leap from the nine goals and 18 points he managed in 89 games with the Oilers.

The change of scenery proved exactly what Holloway needed to unlock his potential. His plus-21 rating ranked among the team leaders, while his 165 hits added a physical dimension that the Blues desperately needed. Holloway brought a rare combination of skill and sandpaper to the lineup, willing to go to the dirty areas while possessing the hands to finish plays. His eight game-winning goals led the team, underlining his ability to deliver in clutch situations.

Holloway’s versatility became a valuable asset for the coaching staff throughout the season. He proved capable of playing both wing positions and taking draws at center when needed, winning 42.7% of his faceoffs. This flexibility allowed the Blues to use him in various situations, from matching against opponents’ top lines to providing secondary scoring. His 178 shots on goal showed a willingness to shoot that had been lacking in his Edmonton tenure.

The former first-round pick’s development into an impact player vindicated the Blues’ decision to offer sheet him away from the Oilers. At just 23 years old with only 166 NHL games under his belt, Holloway’s ceiling remains tantalizingly high. Analysts have suggested he possesses 40-goal potential as he continues to gain experience and confidence at the NHL level. His trajectory mirrors that of players who blossom later after finding the right situation and role.

What made Holloway’s season particularly impressive was his consistency across all situations. He contributed 20 even-strength goals while adding six on the power play, demonstrating his ability to produce regardless of context. His physical play, combined with his offensive skills, made him extremely difficult for opponents to handle. The Blues found themselves with an unexpected star, someone who could impact the game in multiple ways every single night.

The chemistry that powered the Blues

The success of Thomas, Kyrou, and Holloway wasn’t solely about individual excellence—it was also about how they complemented each other and elevated the play of their linemates. While they didn’t always play together, their ability to drive separate lines gave the Blues offensive depth that opposing teams struggled to contain. This distribution of talent across multiple lines prevented opponents from simply matching their top defensive pairing against one unit.

Thomas’s playmaking allowed both Kyrou and Holloway to benefit from high-quality scoring chances. His ability to read the ice and deliver precise passes in stride turned good opportunities into great ones. Meanwhile, Kyrou’s speed forced defenses to respect the rush, creating more time and space for Thomas to operate. Holloway’s physical presence and willingness to go to the net provided a different look, giving the Blues options whether they needed finesse or power.

The three players combined for 214 points during the regular season, accounting for nearly 31% of the team’s total offensive output. Their collective plus-64 rating demonstrated their effectiveness at preventing goals against while generating offense. In critical situations, particularly during the Blues’ playoff push, these three consistently delivered the performances necessary to secure victories.

Their impact extended to the power play, where their combined talents created one of the league’s more effective units. Thomas orchestrated from the halfwall, Kyrou provided the shooting threat, and Holloway crashed the crease for rebounds and deflections. This balanced attack produced 43 power-play goals for the Blues, keeping them competitive even when even-strength play faltered. The chemistry among these three will be crucial as the Blues aim for deeper playoff runs in coming seasons.

The defensive responsibility all three showed represented a maturation that pleased the coaching staff. Gone were the days of purely offensive specialists—these players understood the importance of playing a 200-foot game. Their commitment to team defense, combined with their offensive prowess, made them complete players capable of handling any situation. This growth proved essential to the Blues’ identity transformation throughout the season.

Looking ahead: building around the core

As the Blues chart their course for future success, the performances of Thomas, Kyrou, and Holloway provide a clear foundation. Thomas is signed long-term and entering his prime years as a center. Kyrou’s eight-year deal ensures he’ll remain a Blue through 2031. Holloway, meanwhile, will require a new contract soon, but his breakout season has made him a priority for the front office.

The trio’s combined age of 74 years means the Blues have locked in their core during what should be their prime seasons. Thomas at 25, Kyrou at 26, and Holloway at 23 form a perfectly staggered timeline that should provide sustained excellence. As younger players like Jimmy Snuggerud and Zachary Bolduc continue developing, they’ll have elite examples to learn from and grow alongside.

The challenge for general manager Doug Armstrong will be surrounding this core with complementary pieces that maximize their effectiveness. The Blues need to add defensive depth and potentially another scoring winger to truly compete with the Western Conference’s elite teams. However, with these three players carrying the offensive load, the margin for error decreases significantly. They’ve proven capable of generating enough offense to win games even when other aspects of the team struggle.

The 2024-25 season demonstrated that the Blues possess three legitimate star-caliber forwards in their prime or approaching it. Robert Thomas’s playmaking wizardry, Jordan Kyrou’s goal-scoring ability, and Dylan Holloway’s breakout campaign combined to resurrect a franchise that had been drifting toward mediocrity. As the team builds toward sustained contention, these three Blues players carrying the St. Louis Blues this season have shown they’re more than capable of leading the charge for years to come. Their performances haven’t just saved a season—they’ve potentially defined an era.