Table of Contents
The 2023-24 season for Brayden Schenn was a season the St. Louis Blues captain would like to put behind him.
After putting up 65 points in 2022-23, the most points he’s produced in a full non-covid season since his first year with the team in 2017-18, the 13-year veteran hit a low point with his production last season with only 46 points.
The last time Schenn failed to record 50 or more points in a season (not including the 2020-21 bubble season) was all the way back in 2014-15 when he recorded 47 points in 82 games as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Now, Brayden Schenn has never been the kind of player who racks up 70 or more points every season. During his time in the NHL, he’s never really been the guy who drives the offense for his line.
However, a minus-19-point decrease does raise some eyebrows and concerns when you start to factor in his age.
So realistically when you consider that the Blues captain just turned 33 last month, what should the expectations be for Schenn in the 2024-25 season?
Plus/Minus Improvement
First, there is one statistical category where he has really fallen off — his plus/minus. Schenn over the past two seasons is a combined minus-49. That’s not good enough. His career rating before that was a plus-1.
Alas, the plus/minus statistic has started to be viewed by some as arbitrational, and it’s a stat that is more of an indicator of the overall team’s play.
We tend to agree with that, considering those who finish in the running for the green jacket every season usually come from the worst teams in the league. For example, last season the seven worst plus/minus ratings came from players on San Jose or Chicago.
However, you can counter that argument in Schenn’s case by pointing out that St. Louis hasn’t been one of the worst teams over the last two seasons, and that a minus-49 rating is concerning.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Schenn was on the ice for 52 goals against at 5v5 in 2023-24, tied with Brandon Saad for the most amongst Blues forwards. Additionally, he was below 50% in SF% (45.41), SCF% (43.11), and HDCF% (42.93). Those three categories show us that at 5v5, whenever Schenn was on the ice, the Blues were getting outplayed.
Related: Alexandre Texier is the unknown newcomer that could be another wildcard for St. Louis Blues
Leading By Example
Although Schenn’s production may start to taper off as he enters the last two years of his contract, one area of his game will never go away — his leadership and fierce competitiveness.
Perhaps no St. Louis player is more willing to battle and outwork opponents than the gritty Saskatchewan native. The young players are emerging for the Blues, providing a perfect opportunity for the second-year captain to demonstrate and enforce the right way to play.
Brayden needs to ensure his team is prepared to play hard every night, motivate them, and hold his teammates accountable. After all, management will start to consider moving core members out if the team fails to make the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
If Dalibor Dvorsky makes the team, it will be a great opportunity for the young Slovak to learn and shadow his captain. Dvorsky plays a lot like Schenn and could be a player who replaces him full-time in the top six if the team decides to move on from him when his contract ends or push him down the lineup due to his age.
Related: 3 St. Louis Blues Prospects to Watch During Preseason
Realistic Expectations
The expectations for Schenn should be another 20-goal season and record 50 to 60 points while improving his 5v5 play.
He’s not the quickest skater and he’s not getting any faster at 33. Pairing him up with the right linemates is crucial for Schenn to bounce back. But expecting him to put up 65 to 70 points is a bit much, unless he’s playing with Robert Thomas for most of the season.
After completing his first season as captain of the St. Louis Blues, Schenn should come into the season with a better idea of how to lead and push his teammates to get the Blues back into the dance in April.
Bookmark The Hockey News St. Louis Blues site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.