Top prospects for St. Louis Blues

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the St. Louis Blues, according to NHL.com.

Blues 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy projections

1. Scott Perunovich, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 45 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Springfield (AHL): 22 GP, 2-18-20

Injuries are a major reason why the 25-year-old has only played in 19 games with the Blues.

Perunovich (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), who won the Hobey Baker Award voted as the best men’s player in NCAA ice hockey in 2020, missed significant time last season after he tore his left labrum in a preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks, resulting in shoulder surgery. Perunovich previously missed all of the 2020-21 season because of a left shoulder injury, and in 2021-22 he missed more than two months because of surgery on his left hand.

“I just want to go out and be healthy and try to do the best [I] can,” Perunovich said.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Zachary Bolduc, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 17 pick in 2021 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Quebec (QMJHL): 61 GP, 50-60-110

After being told by Blues coach Craig Berube that he wasn’t quite ready for the NHL last season, the 20-year-old (6-foot, 187) returned to juniors and finished tied for fourth in the QMJHL in scoring, helping Quebec win the league championship as well as the Memorial Cup.

“That was the truth,” Bolduc said. “For me, I wasn’t surprised when I heard it. I knew it. I told them at the end of the camp (last season) when they cut me that I didn’t play the hockey that I was able to play, and just for me, it was to turn the page, try to be better in junior, and I couldn’t ask for a better last season in junior, and now I’m ready to turn pro.”

Projected NHL arrival: This season

Video: St. Louis Blues 2023-24 Season Preview

3. Joel Hofer, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 107 pick in 2018 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: St. Louis (NHL): 6 GP, 3-1-1, 3.22 goals-against average, .905 save percentage; Springfield (AHL): 47 GP, 27-15-5, 2.50 GAA, .921 save percentage

The 23-year-old (6-5, 179) played well after being called up late last season, providing a sample of what the Blues’ goalie tandem will be like this season. Hofer will be back up Jordan Binnington after Thomas Greiss announced his retirement from the NHL on July 12.

Projected NHL arrival: This season

Video: WPG@STL: Hofer makes 33 saves in combined shutout

4. Jimmy Snuggerud, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Minnesota (NCAA): 40 GP, 21-29-50

The 19-year-old had quite an impressive season as a freshman, finishing tied for fifth in the NCAA in points to help Minnesota advance to the national championship game, where it lost 3-2 in overtime to Quinnipiac.

Snuggerud (6-1, 186), who decided to return to college, will be asked to do more, though, this season following the departure of linemates Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) and