Has Jimmy Snuggerud exceeded Blues' expectations? Even Dad didn't know he'd fit this well

New York Times

23-04-2025

ST. LOUIS — Jimmy Snuggerud was skating up the ice and closing the distance between him and the goaltender. The puck hit the back of the net, and the goalie was livid.
It was during a recent St. Louis Blues practice, and the goalie, Jordan Binnington, was steaming.
As the 20-year-old rookie winger who joined the Blues from the University of Minnesota earlier this month relayed to his father, Dave Snuggerud, Binnington summoned him for another shot.
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'It sounds like Binnington is super competitive,' Dave Snuggerud said. 'He goes, 'Snuggerud, get back out here! You're doing this again.' Well, of course, Jimmy doesn't score on him, and Binnington tells him, 'I've got you figured out now.'
'That culture Jimmy's in right now is humbling. It's really cool to see because that's what 'team' is all about.'
Dave is more than a proud dad. In 1987, he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres and played 265 games in the NHL with the Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers. He had 30 goals and 84 points before wrapping up with the Flyers in 1993.
But while Dad had a pro career and a personal connection to the Blues' first-round pick in 2022, he was just like a fan when wondering if his son could step into a team trying to get into the playoffs and contribute in the postseason.
'Would Jimmy be ready?' Dave said. 'That would all up be up to the coaches and what they see. With (Blues coach Jim Montgomery), he's been given the opportunity. If we put him in front of (former Flyers coach John) Tortorella, I don't know if this would be the same result. So I didn't know if Jimmy was ready or not because it all depended on the coaching style.'
The result for Snuggerud has been two goals and five points in nine games with the Blues, including his first Stanley Cup playoff goal in Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. It came against goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who might win the league MVP this season, and it was the Blues' only goal in a 2-1 loss to the Jets, who lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 going into Game 3 Thursday.
'Snuggerud, ever since he got here, since his first practice, his first game, he just gets better and better,' Montgomery said. 'He's looked like he belongs in the league, and he's never done anything to show that he doesn't belong in the league.'
This kid. #stlblues pic.twitter.com/9Xd7IxflXm
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 22, 2025
In Game 1 on Saturday, with Winnipeg hosting its 'Whiteout' at Canada Life Centre, Snuggerud played on the Blues' second line with Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou. He wasn't overwhelmed by the crowd or the top-six assignment, finishing with 16:31 of ice time, one shot on goal, a takeaway and a blocked shot.
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'The whiteout is something in the NHL that's kind of a staple,' Snuggerud said. 'I mean, from the time we stepped on for warmups, the crowd was there. The national championship is the closest thing to it (in college), but I wouldn't say it's close. It's something I've never seen before. The first 10-minute push, it's insane.'
Dave and Ann Snuggerud made the seven-hour drive from Minnesota to Winnipeg to watch in person.
'I don't know how Jimmy had the ability to block that out, which I would think is impossible, but for him, it was just about winning or losing that game,' Dave said. 'That's all he was talking about.'
Dad said his son has always had a calm confidence about himself.
'It's not arrogance,' he said. 'It's the opposite — humbleness and humility — where he does such a good job of living in the present moment. I know he's very appreciative, but yet he's not satisfied. It's like, 'I want to keep pushing.' He's taken on that type of attitude at an exceptionally young age, and it's a pretty cool trait to have.'
In Game 2 on Monday, Snuggerud was switched to the Blues' top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich because Montgomery said he was looking for more offense. He played 20:01, and in addition to his goal, he directed seven shots at the net, tying Zack Bolduc for the most attempts in the game.
Snuggerud was involved in Winnipeg's first goal. He was attempting to backcheck on a drive by the Jets' Mark Scheifele when the puck went off his skate and into the net.
'It's an unfortunate bounce, but it happens,' he said.
Snuggerud shook that off, however, and tied the score 1-1 on the power play with two seconds left in the first period.
'I kind of realized the clock and tried to get it off as quick as possible,' he said.
JIMMY SNUGGERUD'S FIRST CAREER #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFF GOAL pic.twitter.com/N45KquJdTp
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 22, 2025
A month ago, some fans wondered if it made sense to shoehorn Snuggerud into a lineup that was rolling, and in Game 2, he was the only one who provided any offense.
Among all forwards, Snuggerud has logged the third-most ice time in all situations (36:32) and the fourth-most at five-on-five (27:42) so far in the series. In all situations, he's been on the ice for two goals for and two goals against, and the scoring chances are 18-11 in the Blues' favor when he's skating.
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'He's coming out of college hockey, and he's definitely not out of place,' Schenn said. 'He's skilled, smart, a pretty mature game for only playing (nine) games. You have to learn when you come into this league, there's a lot of adjustments from playing 30-40 games (in college) to 82 games plus playoffs. He asks a lot of questions, he wants to learn, and that's great when you have a young guy who wants to ask everyone around the room different questions, whatever's on his mind.'
Growing up, Dave never had to force his opinion on his son.
'He always asked, 'What do you think?' and what's even more impressive is that he listens,' Dave said. 'I remember saying one time, 'You're on the power play and you're on the goal line; it's OK to try to go short-side on the goalie.' Sure enough, next game, he goes short-side, and I'm like, 'I didn't think you really listened to me.' But you'd tell him that, he'd process it, and then he'd go out and do it.'
Late in the Blues' regular season, Snuggerud called home, too, and asked: 'What do you think?'
'My response was, 'Be great defensively because your skills are good enough offensively,'' Dave said. 'That's what eventually got me in a full-time position in the league, was being great defensively. He has great ability with his quick stick to be good defensively to take pucks away.
'But what also goes through my mind is, 'Oh my gosh, top six, you've got to put points up.' This team has so much history, you're starry-eyed and you're feeling good about yourself, but you have to produce. He gets it; you have to go out there and be good.'
Snuggerud has produced, and when he does, his teammates are quick to credit him. Like April 5, when he set up Buchnevich with a backhanded pass in front of the net for a goal that gave the Blues a 3-0 lead in a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.
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After scoring, Buchnevich pointed straight at Snuggerud.
'And Neighbours did it, too, when he gave the puck to him for a goal,' Dave said. 'The look in Neighbours' eyes at Jim, all that tells me is like, 'He's in an environment where these guys care about each other.' He said to me, 'It's all over the locker room, Dad. These guys are rooting for each other.''
Snuggerud couldn't have scripted a better start to his career.
'You always try to envision good things in your mind,' he said. 'It's something I've dreamt about for a while, being here and doing this. Being able to possibly clinch a playoff spot and now playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, it's kind of a moment that you have to step back to take in. These are important games for the franchise itself and the guys in this locker room. It's flying by, and I'm just trying to enjoy every single moment.'
'He's brought a great element to our group,' Schenn said, 'and we're happy he's a Blue.'