Matt Kessel

April 2024 – After playing his first two NHL games last season, Kessel split this season between the NHL and the AHL. In the 36 games he played with the Blues, he wasn’t much of a contributor offensively, but his defense was impressive. Kessel posted the lowest expected goals against rate of any Blues defenseman (2.56) and the third-lowest scoring chance against per 60 (28.03). If he can achieve an average level of offense next season, as he demonstrated last season in the AHL, Kessel could become an intriguing defenseman for the Blues and fantasy GMs. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte

June 2023 – Kessel found an offensive part of his game last season, that few knew he had. In addition to finishing first in points for a defenseman with the Thunderbirds, Kessel managed to generate offense in the two NHL games he played. Kessel finishes his second NHL game with a dominant 85% xGF. The spotlight will be on him this season, considering he was probably the Blues’ prospect with the most significant improvement last year. Cedrick Blais-Turcotte 

October 2020 – Kessel was drafted 150th overall by the St. Louis Blues. He will most likely spend the next two-three years in college before turning pro. Lou Farah

March 2022 – Kessel signed his ELC with the Blues. It is a two-year contract beginning in the 2022-23 season. Kessel will make his pro debut in the AHL with Springfield on a tryout. Kessel is a big 6-3 defensive defenseman. He plays a physical game throwing a lot of hits and blocking a lot of shots for banger leaguers. His offensive game is limited but he does own a bomb of a shot. Peter Harling