Blues in No Rush to Play Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou in Preseason – Hockey Writers – St. Louis Blues

St. Louis Blues played their first two preseason games on Sept. 21 and 22, includes prospects, American Hockey League (AHL) players, and NHLers. Between the two games, the Blues played every forward, defenseman, and goaltender on the roster except star forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou.

This helps if the Blues rest both of them before the season starts in Oct. 4 or make the most of their potential by getting them on the roster at the right time so they are in good shape heading into the regular season. Here's what to expect from them based on their performance last season and how this move should benefit Thomas and Kyrou ahead of the 2024-25 regular season.

Rest Can Be Make or Break for Thomas

After Thomas' 86-point performance in 82 games last season, the expectations for the upcoming regular season are clear – he's on track to become a 100-point player. He was fully committed to being himself blues' a top performer last season, finishing with 60 assists, and helped create some of the best performances, even as the Blues struggled to climb the table.

Related: Blues' Dylan Holloway Deserves Top-6 Chance This Season

If the Blues plan to play Thomas later in the preseason, it could result in one of two things: he plays better than usual, or he starts his preseason slow but picks it up early in the regular season. Either way, it shouldn't be impossible for him to flop this season; as he said last season, he also wanted to work on his defensive skills, which would make him a better player.

Getting two days off early in the preseason will be good for Thomas in the long run. He has played the entire 2023-24 season and could use more rest if the Blues plan to play him through the regular season, assuming he stays healthy. Others did not help Thomas as he was able to get two shots on goal but did not score in the preseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday (Sept. 25); it will probably take Thomas a game or two to settle into his usual form from last season.

Kyrou Needs Rest More Than Ever

Kyrou had a dramatic decline last season and hasn't increased his total since 2022-23. He finished with 67 points in 82 games, six points behind his 73 points in 79 games in 2022-23. He was second in points last season and led in points the season before that.

Losing Kyrou's offensive firepower was something most of the Blues nation didn't expect; However, there was pressure in his talk about former Blues coach and now Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube, who could play a pressing role in Kyrou's game. In December 2023, when he responded to the media about Berube's dismissal, he said, “I have no comment. He is no longer my coach.”

The Blues fanbase didn't take the comments the right way, and the game after Berube was sent off, boos were sent Kyrou's way. Based on that, the pressure from Kyrou's fanbase was strong, especially as he faced a brutal decline. Despite that, we saw some improvement in his game towards the end of the season, but by then, it was too late to make a play off push.

The two extra days off could help him warm up before the regular season so he can be in good shape.

The Blues have plenty of new faces on the roster, with more flexibility that Kyrou can tap into if he wants to try out different lineup combinations. I expect to see him play with Jake Neighbors and Brayden Schenn. On Wednesday (September 25) he played his first game of the pre-season and he did not do that badly even though the Blues lost 3-0 against the Blue Jackets. He got three shots on goal and was paired with Thomas again.

Thomas and Kyrou's Clean Slide

This will be coach Drew Bannister's first full season as an NHL coach. Resting his top players in the preseason may seem odd, but perhaps his plan is to give his tight ends and star players a chance to rest before they're ready for 82 games.

Kyrou, 26, and Thomas, 25, are in the middle of their careers. Both should be leading the Blues in points. Sure, Kyrou still has things to work on, but he was an All-Star selection for the Blues in February 2024. Thomas earned his first All-Star selection last season. He is now expected to join Team Canada for the 2026 Olympics and the Four Nations Faceoff, and it would be a grueling hockey season if he makes a big tournament like the Four Nations Faceoff.