Very simply, the St. Louis Blues flat-out need more from Robert Thomas.

The Blues have struggled to find consistency so far this season, and their new captain has factored into that slow start. In 12 games, Thomas has just one goal and five assists, well below the point-per-game average Blues fans have been accustomed to over the last three seasons.

After offseason subtractions, including trading away Jordan Kyrou, Thomas is even more crucial to the Blues’ success this season. In the seven games where Thomas was held without a point, the Blues won only one, and that lone victory came on opening night against the Dallas Stars. Thomas is the Blues’ leader on and off the ice, and if they hope to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, their captain needs to lead the way.

Puzzling Start for Thomas

For several years running, Thomas has been the Blues’ most dependable player, leading the team in scoring in each of the past three seasons. And it seems help is waiting for Thomas.

While offensive depth has been an issue for the Blues over the last couple of seasons, the team’s second line has been their most consistent trio so far this year. Newly acquired Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael have had great starts with their new team, with a combined 17 points through 12 games. Indeed, their production should give the Blues a more balanced offense, but they still need more from their captain.

The strangest part of it is that Thomas’ linemates are producing. Dylan Holloway is tied for the team lead in points with 10, while Jimmy Snuggerud is tied for the team lead in goals with six. Holloway and Snuggerud both had slow starts to the season, with just two points combined in the first four games of the season, but appear to have hit their stride with a combined nine points over their last five games. Thomas has just two points over his last five games, but Holloway and Snuggerud have shown they can produce without having to rely on their captain. Imagine how dangerous their line could be if all three were playing to their full potential.

One difference to note is shots. Thomas has never been a shoot-first type of player, but he is shooting even less this season. Over the last three seasons, Thomas was generating 1.93 shots on goal per game, but this year he is generating only 1.00 shots on goal per game. Naturally, the fewer shots Thomas takes, the fewer opportunities he gives himself to score. With just 12 shots through 12 games and an 8.3 percent shooting percentage, it is easy to see why he has just one goal this season. But it is not just the lack of goals; his lack of production extends to the power play, too. The Blues’ power play ranks 14th in the NHL, converting at 21.9 percent, but Thomas has factored little, recording just a single point on the man advantage.

Still Time for the Blues Captain

It is still early in the season, and there is no reason to panic about Thomas’ lack of production. We have seen Thomas have a slow start and pick up the pace as the season goes along. Last season, Thomas was held to two points in his first five games before he rattled off six points in his next four games. All it would take is one strong week from Thomas on the ice for his numbers to start looking normal. Jim Montgomery does not seem to be concerned about Thomas and the struggles of the Blues’ top line, but he did say he needs more from his best unit.

“I’m not so concerned about them becoming a dominant line. They’re not going to Colorado or Minnesota. That’s not to take away from them because I have a tremendous amount of belief in them. It’s more … like there are guys making $17-18 million. But they can be for our team what those guys are – catalysts in playing the right way, energy creating momentum every shift. And that’s what we’re looking for. We know if that momentum comes, results are going to come, for them individually and for the team,” Montgomery said, as reported by The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford.

Thomas may not be Kirill Kaprizov or Nathan MacKinnon, but he needs to play a similar catalyst role for the Blues. They need their captain to be the driving force behind their offense. After all, the Carolina Hurricanes proved last season that you do not need a superstar to win the Stanley Cup, but can do it with a complete team. There will be moments when the Blues need someone to step up, and as captain and arguably their best player, that falls on Thomas.