Injuries are mounting up on the Blues, forcing players to play higher in the line-up in roles they aren't particularly suited for. Brayden Schenn is one of them. He started off the season on the third line, and now the last several games has been playing on the top lines to disastrous results.

This isn't an indictment on the coach, he has to work with what he's got. Instead, it's an indictment on Schenn himself. At an AAV of $6.5M per year, Schenn is essentially paid at the level of a second liner -- but his actual performance puts him at a third or fourth line level. The Blues need more from Schenn, and they aren't getting it.

Schenn finished the 2023-2024 season with 20 goals, 26 assists, and a -22. Those 46 total points were his lowest season total since the 2013-2014 season with Philadelphia when he first played a full season. His Corsi For % at 5 on 5 is also trending the wrong direction, he finished the 2023-2024 season at 43.8, having averaged 48.8 the prior 11 seasons.

Over his past 45 games, Schenn has 8 goals which ranks 6th on the Blues -- behind Kyrou, Saad, Buchnevich, Neighbours, and Thomas. Schenn also ranks 9th on the Blues in total points this season (15 games) with 5 points. It's just not good enough. Toropchenko plays on the fourth line and he only has 2 less goals than Schenn over the last 45 games despite making $4.7M per year less. Ouch.

The time has come: Schenn needs to relinquish the C and be relegated to the third and fourth lines where his productivity can be maximized. The team just simply can't continue on with this level of production if they're serious about ever getting better and taking the next step as a team. Robert Thomas is the obvious candidate to take over as the next Captain. When he returns from injury, he should have a jersey with the C on the chest waiting for him.