Jimmy Snuggerud enters the 2025-26 season as one of the most intriguing young players on the St. Louis Blues roster. The former first-round pick enters his first full season in the NHL looking to step into a legitimate top-six role alongside Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. With his elite shot, improved two-way game, and an NHL-ready frame, Snuggerud has the opportunity to make an immediate scoring impact.
Snuggerud’s Point Projections
College Success
At the University of Minnesota, Snuggerud carved out a reputation as one of the most dangerous shooters in college hockey. Across three seasons with the Golden Gophers, he played in 119 games, scoring 119 goals. His shot release was his calling card, but he steadily improved his playmaking, particularly on the power play. Scouts noted his ability to find soft spots in coverage, much like a veteran goal scorer, while also showing the hockey intelligence to track back defensively.
After signing his entry-level contract last season, Snuggerud got a brief taste of the NHL late last season. At times, he certainly looked like a young prospect still finding his footing in the NHL. Other times, he looked comfortable on the ice and played on the Blues’ top line in their playoff series. In seven games against the Winnipeg Jets, Snuggerud scored two goals. While his stats and overall play was not flashy, he showed confidence on the puck and wasn’t afraid to shoot. That willingness to fire from anywhere is exactly what the Blues’ top line needs—especially with a playmaker like Robert Thomas, who is coming off a multiple 60-assist seasons.
Scouting Profile
Snuggerud’s scouting report is consistent across evaluators: a frame at 6’0”, 207 pounds, a high-end shot, and sneaky good puck protection skills. He does lack top speed, but his stride is efficient and he will work on improving his first few steps. His off-puck sense is arguably his greatest asset—he knows how to find open ice and let his release do the damage. Think of him as a volume shooter who thrives alongside distributors.
There are still questions about his consistency shift-to-shift and his ability to handle heavy defensive assignments. We saw an example of his struggles defensively in the playoffs when he put the puck in his own net while trying to defend against Mark Scheifele. However, in a sheltered role on the wing with Thomas and Buchnevich, those concerns should be minimized.
Fit with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich
This projected line is a near-perfect environment for Snuggerud’s development. Robert Thomas is among the NHL’s premier pass-first centres, coming off consecutive 70+ point seasons. His ability to draw defenders in and find passing lanes makes him the ideal setup man for a trigger-happy winger. Buchnevich adds another layer—he’s a skilled two-way winger with finishing ability and underrated playmaking.
For Snuggerud, this means two things: he won’t need to carry the puck through the neutral zone, and he’ll rarely be the focus of opposing defenses. Instead, he can drift into the high slot or weak side and be ready to unload his shot when Thomas or Buchnevich find him. On the power play, he projects as a middle-six shooter, likely on the second unit, though he could earn time on the top group if his release translates quickly.
Point Projection
Snuggerud’s offensive projection depends heavily on how quickly he adapts to the NHL pace. Recent comparables suggest a wide range of outcomes. Players like Cole Caufield and Matthew Boldy—both snipers with strong hockey intelligence—transitioned fairly quickly to top-six scoring roles, while others needed more seasoning.
Given his linemates, opportunity, and shooting volume, a conservative projection would be:
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Games Played: 74–78
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Goals: 20–24
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Assists: 22–27
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Total Points: 42–50
The high end of that range would put him in Calder Trophy conversation, while the lower end would still represent a very respectable rookie season. Of course, Ivan Demidov will likely have something to say in the Calder race.
Final Thoughts
Jimmy Snuggerud isn’t coming into 2025-26 to simply blend in—he’s being positioned as a core piece of the Blues’ forward group. His combination of shot volume, size, and smarts should mesh perfectly with Robert Thomas’s passing and Pavel Buchnevich’s creativity. If his college game translates quickly, St. Louis could have a 40-to-50 point rookie on their hands, with 30-goal potential not far down the road.
Main Photo: Jeff Le- Imagn Images
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