Tag: Robert Thomas

Ten NHL teams are without a captain as Robert Thomas becomes the latest appointment

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Robert Thomas was named captain of the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 2, making him the most recent player to receive the role. Ten teams, including the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks, do not currently have a captain. Sidney Crosby is the longest-serving current captain, having held the position with the Pittsburgh Penguins since May 31, 2007.

Key Facts

  • Robert Thomas was named captain of the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 2.
  • Ten teams do not currently have a captain: Anaheim Ducks; Boston Bruins; Chicago Blackhawks; Columbus Blue Jackets; Detroit Red Wings; Los Angeles Kings; New York Islanders; Ottawa Senators; San Jose Sharks; Vancouver Canucks.
  • Sidney Crosby has been captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since May 31, 2007 and is the longest current-tenured captain.
  • The current captains include Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Mikael Backlund (Calgary Flames), Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes), Gabriel Landeskog (Colorado Avalanche), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals).
  • Boston Bruins — Vacant
  • Buffalo Sabres — Rasmus Dahlin
  • Calgary Flames — Mikael Backlund
  • Carolina Hurricanes — Jordan Staal
  • Chicago Blackhawks — Vacant
  • Colorado Avalanche — Gabriel Landeskog
  • Columbus Blue Jackets — Vacant* (listed as vacant in source)

IHM Discussion

The captaincy list offers a snapshot of formal leadership assignments across the league. Long-serving captains such as Sidney Crosby sit alongside recent appointments such as Robert Thomas, while ten clubs currently have no named captain. The named group includes established stars Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.

Why It Matters

The list provides a clear reference point for each club’s formal captaincy status. It also shows the contrast between teams with an established designated leader and those currently operating without a captain.

Mini Q&A

Which player was the most recent to be named captain?

Robert Thomas was named captain of the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 2.

How many NHL teams are without a captain according to the list?

Ten teams are listed as without a captain.

Who is the longest current-tenured captain in the NHL?

Sidney Crosby has been captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins since May 31, 2007 and is the longest-tenured current captain.

Which notable star players are listed as captains?

The list includes Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning) and others.

Coach Mark Comment

A vacant captaincy does not prevent a club from having strong leadership within its player group. Clear standards and communication still have to come from the dressing room, whether or not one player wears the C.

IHM Final View

The current captaincy picture combines established leaders with ten vacancies. Thomas is the latest appointment, while Crosby remains the league’s longest-serving current captain.

Robert Thomas Named Blues Captain as St. Louis Turns Page

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The St. Louis Blues have elevated Robert Thomas to captain, naming the 27-year-old centre the 25th captain in franchise history. The move, made public on Wednesday by new general manager Alexander Steen, cements the organisation’s commitment to Thomas after a period in which he was linked to trade talk. Thomas, a two-way, defensively conscious centre and a member of the Blues’ 2018-19 Stanley Cup team, now carries explicit leadership responsibility as St. Louis looks to rebound in a competitive Central Division.

Key Facts

  • Robert Thomas was named captain of the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday by new general manager Alexander Steen.
  • Thomas is 27 years old and becomes the 25th captain in franchise history.
  • The appointment replaces Brayden Schenn as the Blues’ captain.
  • Thomas was the youngest member of the Blues team that won the Stanley Cup in 2018-19.
  • In the past three seasons Thomas posted 86 points in 82 games (2023-24), 81 points in 70 games (2024-25) and 64 points in 64 games in the most recent season.
  • Thomas has five seasons remaining on his contract at an annual salary of $8.125 million.
  • He has appeared for Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and at the 2026 World Championship, but he did not make Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • Thomas was included in trade rumours last year, during which the Blues had a high asking price in talks, but GM Alexander Steen and president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong chose not to trade him.
  • Thomas expressed his commitment to St. Louis, saying: ‘I’ve loved my time in St. Louis. I love it here, I love the organization, the city.’
  • Thomas is described as a defensively conscious, two-way centre who leads by example rather than through outward displays of emotion.
  • The Blues have young players Thomas is expected to set an example for, including Dalibor Dvorsky, Mason McTavish and Jimmy Snuggerud.
  • A strong season in his new leadership role could bolster Thomas’s case for inclusion in the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

IHM Discussion

Naming Robert Thomas captain is the clearest indication that the Blues intend to build their next era around him. The decision follows trade speculation last year and places Thomas at the centre of the club’s leadership group.

On the ice, Thomas has produced at least a point per game in each of the past three seasons: 86 in 82 games, 81 in 70 and 64 in 64. The captaincy brings greater visibility and a responsibility to set the standard for younger teammates as St. Louis looks to rebound in the Central Division.

Thomas missed Canada’s team for the 2026 Winter Olympics despite his experience at junior and world championship level. A strong season as Blues captain could strengthen his case for future best-on-best selection, including the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

Why It Matters

The captaincy adds a leadership dimension to Thomas’s established scoring role. For St. Louis, it signals continuity around a 27-year-old centre with five seasons remaining on his contract. For Thomas, strong play and leadership could strengthen his case for future best-on-best opportunities with Canada, including the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

The appointment also sets a clear internal standard. As the Blues look to rebound in the Central Division, younger players including Dalibor Dvorsky, Mason McTavish and Jimmy Snuggerud will be among those looking to their new captain.

IHM Market Outlook

Thomas has five seasons remaining on a contract carrying an annual salary of $8.125 million. Naming him captain underlines his importance to the Blues after trade speculation last year and points to the club’s commitment to continuity around one of its leading centres.

His play over the remaining term will shape how the deal is viewed, but the immediate message is clear: St. Louis has placed Thomas at the heart of its leadership group.

Mini Q&A

How old is Robert Thomas and what new role did he receive?

Robert Thomas is 27 years old and was named the 25th captain in St. Louis Blues history.

Who announced the captaincy and who did Thomas replace?

New general manager Alexander Steen announced the captaincy. Thomas replaces Brayden Schenn.

What are Thomas’s recent scoring totals?

Across the past three seasons Thomas recorded 86 points in 82 games (2023-24), 81 points in 70 games (2024-25) and 64 points in 64 games in the most recent season.

What is the status of Thomas’s contract?

Thomas has five seasons remaining on his contract at an annual salary of $8.125 million.

What is Thomas’s international résumé and recent omission?

Thomas represented Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship and at the 2026 World Championship, but he did not earn a place on Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

How might the captaincy affect Thomas’s future with Team Canada?

A strong season in his new leadership role could strengthen Thomas’s case for consideration for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

Coach Mark Comment

Thomas does not need to change his personality to lead effectively. A captain who is dependable in his details, composed in key moments and clear with younger teammates can set a powerful standard, particularly for a club trying to establish consistency.

What Comes Next

Two explicit checkpoints emerge. First, the 2026-27 season is the immediate test: Thomas’s performance and leadership this season will be watched as the Blues aim to ‘rebound in the ultra-competitive Central Division.’ Second, selection for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey is identified as a longer-term benchmark; a strong showing as captain could help Thomas make a compelling case for inclusion.

IHM Final View

The Blues have turned a period of uncertainty into a public commitment by naming Robert Thomas captain. The move places greater expectations on a 27-year-old centre who has delivered point-per-game production in each of the past three seasons. Thomas now has the opportunity to set the standard for younger teammates and strengthen his case for future best-on-best opportunities with Canada.

Robert Thomas named Blues captain

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

Robert Thomas has been officially named the captain of the St. Louis Blues. The club made the announcement this week after Thomas established himself as an informal leader late last season following the March 6 trade of Brayden Schenn to the New York Islanders. Coach Jim Montgomery said he noticed Thomas stepping into the leadership role in the final month of the campaign, citing specific moments when Thomas calmed younger players and galvanised the team. General manager Alexander Steen told Thomas the news in a private meeting at his home and described Thomas as the clear choice because of his influence on and off the ice. The Blues will rotate four alternate captains – Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway – between home and away games.

Key Facts

  • Robert Thomas, 27, was officially given the captaincy of the St. Louis Blues this week.
  • Coach Jim Montgomery said Thomas began to unofficially claim the role after March 6, when then-captain Brayden Schenn was traded to the New York Islanders.
  • Montgomery recounted moments last season where Thomas took younger players aside and helped steady the team, and said he told Thomas to ‘take over the room’ during a game late in the season.
  • Alexander Steen, who became Blues general manager on June 30, informed Thomas of his selection in a private moment at Thomas’s home and called him the clear choice.
  • The Blues will employ a rotating group of alternate captains: defencemen Colton Parayko and Philip Broberg, and forwards Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway.
  • Thomas led the Blues in scoring for each of the past three seasons, posting 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 64 games last season.
  • He posted an NHL career-high 86 points (26 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games in 2023-24.
  • Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Thomas has averaged 1.03 points per game – 373 points in 361 games – a rate tied for 23rd among NHL players with at least 200 games in that span.
  • In eight NHL seasons, all with St. Louis, Thomas has 460 points (132 goals, 328 assists) in 530 games, and 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 52 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
  • Thomas recorded six points (one goal, five assists) in 21 playoff games as a rookie when the Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019.
  • The Blues missed the playoffs last season with a 37-33-12 record, finishing four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second Western Conference wild-card spot.
  • Thomas said he does not take the captaincy lightly and acknowledged the history of the franchise and what the team means to the city of St. Louis.

IHM Discussion

The choice of Robert Thomas as captain is the culmination of a gradual leadership shift that accelerated after the departure of Brayden Schenn. Montgomery’s description of Thomas taking younger players under his wing and responding when asked to address a lethargic first period illustrates influence that extends beyond point totals. That Thomas led the team in scoring for three straight seasons and has averaged more than a point per game since 2021-22 provides a tangible complement to those leadership traits.

Alexander Steen’s involvement – informing Thomas personally and framing the decision as a mix of on-ice performance and off-ice commitment – underscores the organisation’s view that the captaincy is about cultural fit as much as statistical production. The rotation of four alternate captains spreads responsibility and aligns with Thomas’s own comments about belief and doing it together; it points to a collective leadership model rather than reliance on a single voice.

For Thomas, accepting the ‘C’ formalises duties he had begun to assume: supporting younger players, influencing the dressing room and representing the club in the community. His statement that he understands the franchise’s history and the honour of the role reinforces the significance of the appointment. Coming after a near-miss on the playoffs with a 37-33-12 record, it places Thomas at the centre of the club’s effort to return to the postseason.

Why It Matters

Naming Thomas captain affects the Blues on several levels. Internally, it clarifies the leadership hierarchy and should stabilise communication between the coaching staff, management and dressing room. That clarity can be especially valuable after a season in which the team narrowly missed the playoffs.

Externally, the captain is the public face of the franchise. Thomas’s expressed appreciation for the community and his deeper embedding in the organisation – as Alexander Steen noted – matter for fan engagement and the broader identity of the club. On the ice, while a captaincy does not guarantee wins, the appointment formalises a leadership structure around a player who is already the team’s top offensive contributor and a proven playoff participant from the club’s 2019 Cup run.

IHM Market Outlook

From an organisational perspective, the decision signals that the Blues see Thomas as a core leader. Steen’s comments about Thomas’s curiosity and desire to evolve point to a club that values internal cohesion and cultural development. Naming an established scoring leader as captain also gives the group a clear leadership structure as it looks to improve on last season’s near-miss.

Fan Pulse

Teammates quoted made the internal response clear: Jake Neighbours called Thomas ‘an amazing person and player’ and said the group would support him, while the organisation emphasised collective leadership. Thomas also acknowledged the honour and the city’s connection to the team, saying he does not take the role lightly. Those comments reflect a positive response within the club.

Mini Q&A

Is Robert Thomas officially the Blues’ captain?

Yes. The Blues officially gave Robert Thomas the captaincy this week.

Who informed Thomas of the decision?

General manager Alexander Steen told Thomas in a private moment at Thomas’s home.

Which players are named alternate captains?

Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway will rotate as alternate captains.

How did Thomas earn the role?

Coach Jim Montgomery said Thomas stepped into an unofficial leadership role after Brayden Schenn was traded on March 6, taking younger players under his wing and helping the team respond in games late in the season.

What recent offensive numbers support Thomas’s selection?

Thomas led the Blues in scoring for three straight seasons, with 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 64 games last season and an NHL career-high 86 points (26 goals, 60 assists) in 2023-24. Since 2021-22 he has averaged 1.03 points per game (373 points in 361 games).

How did Thomas perform in the playoffs earlier in his career?

As a rookie in the 2019 Stanley Cup run, Thomas recorded six points (one goal, five assists) in 21 playoff games.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, promoting a player who already demonstrates daily leadership is a low-risk, high-reward move. Thomas’s scoring record gives him credibility on the ice; his habit of stepping in to steady younger players gives him credibility off it. The coach’s job is to preserve the player’s primary strengths while expanding his responsibilities – encouraging him to set examples in preparation, communication and adherence to systems without overburdening him with duties that might blunt his on-ice spontaneity. Rotating alternates around Thomas will help distribute the workload and preserve his energy for key situations.

What Comes Next

Thomas will lead the Blues into the new season alongside rotating alternate captains Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway.

IHM Final View

Robert Thomas’s captaincy is both symbolic and practical: it formalises a role he effectively assumed late last season and places the team’s offensive leader at the centre of a collective leadership model. The appointment aligns with the organisation’s desire for cultural continuity and gives the Blues a clear identity to present to players and fans as they aim to return to the playoffs.

Robert Thomas named 25th captain of St. Louis Blues

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published:

Story Summary

The St. Louis Blues have named Canadian forward Robert Thomas their 25th captain. Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway will serve as assistant captains for the 2026/27 season. Thomas has spent eight seasons in St. Louis, was part of the 2018/19 Stanley Cup team and recorded 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 64 regular-season games in 2025/26.

Key Facts

  • Robert Thomas has been named the 25th captain in St. Louis Blues history.
  • Assistants for 2026/27 are Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway.
  • The Blues announced the appointments for 2026/27.
  • Thomas is the seventh player drafted by the Blues to become the club captain.
  • Thomas has eight seasons with St. Louis and was a member of the 2018/19 Stanley Cup-winning team.
  • In 2025/26 Thomas recorded 64 points in 64 regular-season games (25 goals, 39 assists).
  • Brayden Schenn had been captain for the past three seasons before being traded to the NY Islanders late in the trade period.
  • Slovak forward Dalibor Dvorský played 71 games for the Blues in 2025/26, scoring 12 goals and 9 assists.
  • The Blues open the 2026/27 season on 2 October in Dallas.

IHM Discussion

The appointment of Robert Thomas formalises a leadership transition following Brayden Schenn’s departure to the NY Islanders late in the trade period. Thomas’s elevation is notable because he is the seventh player drafted by St. Louis to be given the captaincy, underlining a preference in this instance for long-tenured, homegrown leadership.

Thomas brings both experience and recent production: eight seasons with the Blues, a Stanley Cup on his résumé from 2018/19 and a 64-point regular season in 2025/26. The four alternates spread leadership across the roster, with defencemen Colton Parayko and Philip Broberg joined by forwards Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway.

Why It Matters

Naming a new captain sets a clear leadership structure ahead of the regular season. Thomas’s long record with the franchise, Stanley Cup experience and 2025/26 production give the appointment a strong on-ice foundation. The four assistants add leadership options across the roster as the Blues begin their 2026/27 campaign in Dallas on 2 October.

Mini Q&A

Who has been named captain of the St. Louis Blues?

Robert Thomas has been named the Blues’ 25th captain.

Who are the assistant captains for 2026/27?

Colton Parayko, Philip Broberg, Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway were named assistant captains.

What are Thomas’s recent on-ice credentials?

Thomas has eight seasons with St. Louis, was part of the 2018/19 Stanley Cup team and posted 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 64 regular-season games in 2025/26.

What happened to the previous captain?

Brayden Schenn served as captain for the past three seasons before being traded to the NY Islanders late in the trade period.

When do the Blues open the 2026/27 season?

The Blues open the 2026/27 regular season on 2 October, with a road game in Dallas.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, picking a captain who combines longevity with recent scoring form helps bridge the dressing-room and on-ice leadership needs. Thomas’s Cup experience and 64-point season give him credibility; the mix of alternates – two defencemen and two forwards – creates balance and multiple touchpoints for team communication during games and practice.

What Comes Next

St. Louis begin the 2026/27 regular season on 2 October, opening on the road in Dallas. That first game will be the earliest on-ice checkpoint to see the newly named leadership group in action.