Matthew DeFranks | Post-Dispatch
Note: This is the fifth of 10 installments of a pre-training camp series asking the most important questions facing the Blues this season.
Jordan Kyrou didn’t go anywhere, but this summer was one of change for him.
He’s now in control of his future.
After years of being included in trade rumors, and even a few weeks this summer of his name surfacing as a trade chip, Kyrou now knows he’s the one who decides the fate of his career. When his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, the power shifted to Kyrou.
This upcoming campaign is the first season he was eligible for a no-trade clause (because he has now reached an age that would have qualified him for unrestricted free agency), and it is included across the next five seasons of the contract extension he signed two years ago. In 2030-31, that will drop to a 15-team no-trade list, and at that point, Kyrou will be 32 years old.
People are also reading…
With that presumably handled, next up is Kyrou’s on-ice game.
In 2024-25, Kyrou took a larger step toward becoming a more complete player with a more concerted effort in the defensive zone, more tracking back for pucks in the neutral zone, harder board play and even a couple of hits. (Remember the one in overtime against Detroit that helped run the Blues’ win streak to 10?)
When Kyrou was on the ice at five on five, the Blues allowed 1.81 goals per 60 minutes, the lowest figure in his career. St. Louis also gave up 25.76 shots and 9.02 high-danger chances per hour with Kyrou on the ice, both also new career bests for Kyrou.
On the offensive side, Kyrou scored 36 goals, one away from tying his career high of 37, set in 2022-23. For many in St. Louis, though, his 37 goals in 2022-23 was overshadowed by his minus-38 rating.
Last year? He led the Blues at plus-23.
The 40-goal plateau has been an attainable target for Kyrou, who remains one of the best shooters in the league.
It’s also possible Kyrou returns this season as part of a line that was one of the most successful in the NHL last season. Playing right wing with Brayden Schenn at center and Dylan Holloway at left wing, Kyrou helped the line outscore opponents 29-14 at five on five. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Blues held a 56.29% edge in expected goals with them on the ice. Perhaps a full year with Schenn and Holloway could boost Kyrou’s numbers.
Analytics site MoneyPuck ranked Kyrou as the 13th-best shooter in the league last year, based on how often he converts his chances relative to the expected goal value around the league. Of the 12 players above him, seven have notched 40-goal seasons at some point in their career: Leon Draisaitl, Artemi Panarin, Jason Robertson, David Pastrnak, Mikko Rantanen, Patrik Laine and Alex DeBrincat. Elias Pettersson (39), Andrei Kuzmenko (39) and Cole Caufield (37) have come close. Trevor Zegras (23) and Daniel Sprong (21) have not.
If Kyrou reaches 40 goals, he would become the first Blues player to hit that mark since Vladimir Tarasenko in 2015-16 and the second since Brad Boyes in 2007-07. Since Tarasenko potted 40 in 2015-16, 23 teams have had a 40-goal scorer, including both expansion franchises.
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!