Barbashev has come full circle, turned into quite an offensive gem for Blues

Forward came into NHL as offensive player, adapted to new role to 

make it in league, now counted on to produce, living up to standards 

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- In the first period Monday against the Nashville Predators, there was a redirection of a goal that got the Blues back in the game; then there was a quick and precise cross-ice seam pass that sprung a goal, and then there was a second goal of his own, a goal scorer's goal.

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Robert Thomas (arms raised) joins the celebration after Ivan Barbashev (49)

scored at the 2022 Discover Winter Classic at Target Field. 

No, this wasn't Vladimir Tarasenko, it wasn't Ryan O'Reilly, it wasn't Brayden Schenn, it wasn't first-time All-Star Jordan Kyrou. It wasn't even Robert Thomas.

Then who could be making these high-impact plays that has the Blues among the top-tiered teams in the Western Conference?

Imagine the surprise when those on the outside see that it's Ivan Barbashev, a second-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, who has become quite the high-impact player for an offense that ranks fifth in the NHL with 136 goals, or 3.58 goals per game.

There's such a balanced attack when it comes to the Blues statistically, but for the 26-year-old Barbashev, it's a breakout season for him in the NHL.

The Moscow, Russia native, who has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 19 games since Nov. 26, and 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) his past 10 games, has already set a single-season NHL career highs in goals with 15, in assists with 19, in points with 34, power-play goals (four) and power-play points (eight).

His three-point effort fueled a 5-3 come-from-behind win against the Nashville Predators on Monday skating on a line with O'Reilly and Schenn.

Think of it, this is the same player that was impactful in a different way helping the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in 2019, as a fourth-line checking and energy guy with Alexander Steen and Oskar Sundqvist.

Now, in his sixth NHL season, Barbashev has been thrust into a role to help make the offense go, and he's done it with a plethora of linemates. No matter where coach Craig Berube puts the 6-foot-1, 195-pound lefty-handed shot, he's thrived.

"I'm not sure. It's just fun to play with every single guy on the team," Barbashev said. "We've got a really good team that's skilled. We're playing the right way and I think it just makes it easier for everyone to play with each other. It's been a fun season so far, especially when the team is winning. It's more fun."

Barbashev's previous high in goals was 14 in that Stanley Cup-winning season of 2018-19, but he did it in 80 games. His high in assists was 15 in in 2019-20 in 69 games. And his high in points was 26 in 18-19 and 19-20. Last season Barbashev played the same amount of games, 38, and had 12 points (five goals, seven assists).

"I think 'Barby' over time, whoever he played with, since he's played with has played in different roles for us and different players," Berube said. "He just plays his game. I don't thunk it matters who he plays with. I really think he has some great chemistry with (Pavel) Buchnevich for sure. I think that goes back to when they were young too. It seems like he and 'Buchy' really know where each other is on the ice, find each other. Sort of like 'Sunny' and 'Barby' back a couple years ago when they played together a lot, it was similar. They fed off each other on the PK, they fed off each other 5-on-5 in their play. Back then, they produced for us too playing in a different role than they do now. It's not like he hasn't produced in the past, he has, but he's producing in a different role.

"Sometimes players develop later, sometimes players have a different role and 'Barby's in a different role this year and he's producing for us. He's on the power play, he's playing in a top six role for most of the year and he's doing the job."

Of course Berube's not surprised; he's seen glimpses of this and used Barbashev in similar roles when the two were together with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League when Barbashev had a hit of a breakout season in 2016-17 with 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) in 46 games.

So should this really be considered a surprise though? Probably not.

When the Blues drafted Barbashev, he was coming out of the Quebec Major JUnior Hockey League off a 95-point season (45 goals, 50 assists) in 57 games. He had 88 goals and 137 assists in three seasons in Moncton, but as he progressed through the pro ranks, Barbashev had to adjust, refine his game and has become one of the more effective, well-rounded players on the roster.

"I think it's just years, maturity, opportunity and making the most of it," Schenn said. "He got an opportunity this year early on and you see what this league's all about. You have to make the most of your opportunities. Not that he wasn't before, but he even got a better one this year with more offensive minutes and playing with more offensive guys. He shows that he can put the puck in the back of the net as well. He's a great passer too. He can see the ice really well and he's fun to play with because he does compete very hard at both ends of the ice."

Consider some of Barbashev's other numbers compared to his career numbers, and they're staggering. He's averaging 0.89 points per game, which more than doubles his career average of 0.40; he's on pace for 73 points, which also more than doubles his career-high of 33; and he's averaging 17:09 of time on ice per game, which crushes his career average of 13:01.

It all comes with responsibilities 5-on-5, on the power play where he averages 1:20 ice time per game; he's a regular on the penalty kill, just getting chances in all situations amplifies all the above numbers.

"Yeah, for sure. It's been nice," Barbashev said. "I've been playing in different roles, PK, power play, some 5-on-6 or stuff like this. It gives me some confidence. You do want to get those chances and make the most of it.

(St. Louis Blues/Scott Rovak)

Ivan Barbashev (second from left) celebrates with teammates after he

scored Monday in a win against the Nashville Predators.

"I remember my first training camp. Really nervous and stuff like this. It took me a while to get to my game. It took me maybe about three to four years to get it. It's a tough adjustment for some players. It's been fun the way I've improving every single year."

That he has, and it's no wonder how Barbashev has gained the trust of the coaching staff.

"I think last year we used 'Barby' up and down the lineup," Berube said. "We used him in different roles. He played with (David) Perron and O'Reilly for some time and they were really good together and produced offensively. I think he was a guy that came into the league in a certain type of role and his role has advanced over time. Now he's obviously on the power play, he's playing on the penalty kill still. He's an all-situational player now. He's done a real good job, whether it's at center ice or on the wing, he plays all positions for us. He's been a real good player."

Barbashev is on pace to score 31 goals this season, which would be quite remarkable for someone asked to become more of a checking forward to make it in the NHL. But just think, with patience and hard work, the rewards come with it, and Barbashev certainly has earned them.

Imagine had the Blues left him unprotected in the expansion draft last summer. They knew better.