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50 Most Outstanding Players in St. Louis Blues History: 20-11

By Patrick Karraker

Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) skates in the game against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2016 Winter Classic ice hockey game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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14. Brendan Shanahan

Forward, 1991-95; 277 games, 156 goals, 150 assists, plus-5 rating, 692 PIM

“Shanny” may have done more to establish himself as a Hall-of-Famer during his time with the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, but he never matched the level of productivity that he reached during his early ’90s stint with the Blues.

Shanahan arrived in St. Louis as a 23-year-old restricted free agent in 1991 (unfortunately costing the Blues Scott Stevens as compensation after the fact), and he immediately got to work, tying with Adam Oates for second on the team in points with 69 (33 goals and 36 assists). He really kicked it up a notch in 1992-93, though, collecting 94 points (51 goals and 43 assists) in 71 games   while also setting new career highs in penalty minutes (174) and shooting percentage (22%). Those numbers obviously were inflated a bit by the presence of Brett Hull, who had 101 points that season and continually lifted everyone around him during the early ’90s, but they were impressive nonetheless.

His ’92-’93 season was fantastic, but Shanahan increased his production yet again in ’93-’94. In 81 games, Shanahan collected a career-best 102 points while setting lasting career highs in goals (52), assists (50), and penalty minutes (211). He led the NHL in shots (397) and shorthanded goals (seven) while making his first All-Star team.

Shanahan thrived again during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, collecting 20 goals and 21 assists in 45 games. With controversy brewing as Shanahan stole the wife of Blues linemate Craig Janney, the Blues moved Shanahan to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Chris Pronger. The Blues got one of the greatest players in franchise history out of the deal, but Shanahan did go on to make seven more All-Star teams, win a Clancy Trophy, and win three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.

Shanahan ranks 10th in franchise history in power play goals (52) and is tied for sixth in shorthanded goals (9). On a per-game scale, Shanahan is second in Blues history in goals (0.56) and sixth in points (1.10). His 52 and 51-goal seasons rank him seventh and eighth in franchise history for single seasons, and his 102 points in a season are tied for 10th in Blues history.

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