In this edition of the hotstove, we share our choices for most underrated player on the St. Louis Blues.
Todd Cordell
Vince Dunn.
All the kid does is get results and yet he is seemingly always held on a leash – Dunn gets less 5v5 ice per game now than as a rookie – and the subject of trade rumors.
Sure, he makes the odd head scratching mistake but the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.
This season the Blues controlled ~55% of the shot attempts, and ~53% of the expected goals, with Dunn on the ice at 5v5. Both totals led the team. He also posted a plus-19 goal differential, tying him with Ryan O’Reilly for top spot.
He did benefit from cushy usage (a lot of offensive zone starts). Even so, those results are still very impressive.
If the Blues move on from Dunn this off-season I think they’ll come to regret it.
Sean Maloughney Can a 20 year old who scored 42 points in 66 games be counted as underrated? Because if so than Robert Thomas is absolutely the guy.
Despite finishing 7th in ice time among all forwards, the young Thomas produced the 5th most total points of all forwards, scoring 9 of his 10 goals at evens. In fact, Thomas's 9-26-35 numbers at even strength, averaging 13:07 a night at 5 on 5 was extraordinarily good. His 2.424 ESP/60 led his team, surpassing the likes of O'Reilly, Schenn, Perron, and Scwartz.
So far Thomas has been rightfully sheltered, but he has dipped in toes in facing against elite competition, playing 182 minutes against what is considered elite, posting a 49.70CF% in that time.
So far the young forward is making his way as a solid bottom six option but if he can figure out how to generate more shots I think there is a strong top 6 option there.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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