No one is talking about Jordan Kyrou’s new contract.
Well, except for this: it looks like he’s earning it ahead of schedule, because the new eight-year, $65 million deal doesn’t go into effect until next season, and Kyrou is trying his best to make good on his employer’s investment.
These days we’re yammering over Kyrou’s goal-scoring spree, and how he’s lifting the Blues instead of sinking them.
Monday night Kyrou scored three times for his first career hat trick to lead the swarming Blues to a 5-1 victory in Vancouver. The swinging Blues have now won four in a row and will go for their fifth straight dubya tonight in Seattle.
We can give a generous share of the credit to Kyrou, who went nuclear for six goals and 10 points in the four wins.
In his last 18 games Kyrou has 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points. Kyrou’s hot streak began Nov. 14, and over that time his 12 goals are tied for fifth for most in the NHL and his 27 points rank third.
We know that Kyrou is prospering when we see his name on the leaderboard covering the last five weeks with names like Connor McDavid, Jason Robertson, Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, Leon Draisaitl, Alexander Ovechkin, William Nylander and David Pastrnak.
Jeremy Rutherford (The Athletic) asked coach Craig Berube to explain Kyrou’s fast rise back to prominence after a slow start that immersed him in criticism.
“He’s been really strong on the one side of the puck. He’s been checking better,” Berube said. “You saw the other night, the play he makes on McDavid (bumping him off the puck and passing to Vladimir Tarasenko for the game-tying goal with 20 seconds left against Edmonton). That’s checking. He makes a strong play, lifting the stick and making the play to Vladi, and we get a goal. That kind of stuff is huge, and his work ethic without the puck is driving him right now, in my opinion.”
Work ethic?
Checking?
Jordan Kyrou?
My goodness, we have a transformation in progress. Or so it seems. Or maybe it’s just part of the maturation process for a 24-year-old, with his growth trying to take root at a time when so much more is expected of him. But Kyrou will have to extend his conscience over a much longer stretch of games to prove that he’s learned what it takes to become a more complete entity.
It’s great to see him taking responsibility for the all–around game instead of the fun and high-flying parts. No one is demanding that Kyrou evolve into a grinder; that would be a waste of his immense talent. But he’s showing that he’s capable of managing a game as well as changing it with his skill.
But the fatter paychecks are coming his way because of his super ability to skate like a blur, create space, make plays and sizzle the puck past helpless goaltenders.
Kyrou has 16 goals and 16 assists in 31 games this season. His rate of 1.7 goals scored per 60 minutes of ice time would be his highest mark in a season. His rate of 3.4 points per 60 would rank second.
All players have lapses, all go through slumps, all can let criticism eat away at their confidence. Kyrou knows all about that. When the Blues go into their frustrating funks, Kyrou is an easy target for snakes both inside and outside the locker room.
At times you’d think the dude was the Blues’ version of Paul DeJong in terms of satisfying the peoples. The rippage can be harsh. (I have also been harsh, and it was warranted.) But Kyrou also has enough talent to convert the angry noise into happy noise. Celebrating him is a lot more fun than hating on him.
And only Kyrou can control that, through effort and performance.
When you get paid, really paid, then it’s more difficult to please the fans and media and the snarkheads that circle on Twitter.
How important is Kyrou to the Blues’ fortunes this season? They are 8-3 when he scores at least one goal in a game … and 8-12-1 when he doesn’t. They are 13-6 when he notches at least one point in a game … and are 3-9-1 when he doesn’t.
The Blues (16-15-1) have tightened their defense during the current 4-0-1 phase, allowing only 1.8 goals per game overall, and 1.0 goal per contest at 5-on-5 play. They’re also snuffing the other side’s power play, killing off 17 of the last 19 penalties.
Kyrou is among the leaders of this uprising; with him on the ice (all strengths) during the last five games the Blues have outscored the opposition, 11-3 and have a 59 percent share of high-danger chances. Give this man a raise.
Thanks for reading …
–Bernie
Bernie invites you to listen to his opinionated and analytical sports-talk show on 590 The Fan, KFNS-AM. It airs Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. and Friday from 4-6 p.m. You can listen by streaming online or by downloading the show podcast at 590thefan.com or the 590 app.
Follow Bernie on Twitter @miklasz
All stats used here were sourced from Natural Stat Trick and Hockey Reference.
