Earlier this offseason, the St. Louis Blues secured forward Nick Bjugstad with a two-year deal worth an average of $1.75 million annually. With the Blues seeking to strengthen their center depth, signing Bjugstad makes a lot of sense, especially following Radek Faksa’s departure from the team as he headed back to the Dallas Stars in free agency.
While Bjugstad may not be the flashiest player on the ice, this signing could prove to be very valuable for the Blues. At 33 years old, he consistently performs well as a bottom-six forward and brings a versatile skill set to the team.
Looking at the current Blues roster, Bjugstad fits perfectly as the new fourth-line center. His ability to also play right wing gives the team more lineup flexibility. Furthermore, his solid defensive play makes him a useful asset on the penalty kill.
In the recent season with Utah, Bjugstad recorded eight goals, 19 points, and 104 hits across 66 games. Although his offensive numbers were somewhat modest, he has demonstrated in previous seasons his capability to contribute secondary scoring. For instance, he netted 22 goals and 45 points in 76 games with the Arizona Coyotes during the 2023-24 season, and previously scored 17 goals and 29 points while splitting time between the Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers in 2022-23. He combines physicality with offensive potential.
Overall, the Blues made a smart move securing Bjugstad at a reasonable cost on a short-term deal. It will be interesting to see the impact this 6-foot-5 forward will have on the team moving forward.
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Fan Take: This signing is a promising development for Blues fans craving depth and versatility at center. Bjugstad’s presence could help stabilize the lineup and inject some tough, dependable play that’s essential for success in today’s NHL.
