Brad Boyes' Unforgettable 2007-08 Season with the St. Louis Blues

Some seasons in the history of the St. Louis Blues are hard to believe when viewed from today's perspective. Players change, rosters evolve, and time can make even remarkable achievements fade into memory. However, every so often, a player delivers a season so unexpected that it becomes a standout moment in the franchise's history.

Brad Boyes' 2007-08 season is precisely one of those instances.

A New Arrival in St. Louis

When the Blues acquired Boyes from the Boston Bruins in February 2007, there was a reasonable expectation that he could contribute offensively. He had scored 26 goals in his rookie season with Boston in 2006-07, proving himself as a legitimate scoring threat in the NHL. However, his past performance did not hint at him becoming one of the NHL's leading goal scorers.

At the time of the trade, Boyes was experiencing a sophomore slump, having scored only 13 goals for the Bruins and just four after joining the Blues. Nevertheless, there was optimism that a full training camp with the Blues might help the Ontario native regain his rookie form.

By the end of the 2007-08 season, Boyes didn't just return to his previous form; he surpassed it.

In his first full season wearing the Blue Note, Boyes netted an astonishing 43 goals. This figure still seems remarkable given his prior statistics. It wasn't merely a career year; it was an extraordinary offensive surge that placed him among the league's elite goal scorers for that single, memorable season. Only Alex Ovechkin, Illya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla, and Evgeni Malkin scored more goals than Boyes.

Boyes played in all 82 games for the Blues in 2007-08, finishing with 43 goals and 22 assists for a total of 65 points. For a team that finished with a 33-36-13 record and missed the playoffs, Boyes' scoring provided one of the season's few truly spectacular individual storylines.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect was that very few people anticipated such a performance.

A Fresh Start in St. Louis

Boyes arrived in St. Louis as part of a trade that sent defenseman Dennis Wideman to Boston. At the time, the move was strategic for an organization aiming to rebuild its roster.

From the outset of the 2007-08 season, Boyes displayed a transformed game. He quickly became one of the Blues' most potent offensive threats, and as his goal tally grew, so did his confidence.

The Blues were not a dominant team; they weren't overpowering opponents or leading the Western Conference. In fact, St. Louis finished near the bottom of the conference standings, making Boyes' production even more noteworthy.

This doesn't mean the Blues weren't competitive. They remained in playoff contention for a significant portion of the season before faltering towards the end. Other players also made contributions, with Keith Tkachuk scoring 27 goals, Manny Legace earning an All-Star selection in net, and Erik Johnson having a strong rookie campaign.

Despite these contributions, Boyes managed to stand out. He wasn't playing alongside a 60-goal superstar drawing all the defensive attention. Apart from Boyes, Tkachuk, and Paul Kariya, no other Blues player recorded over 50 points; the next highest was Lee Stempniak with 38. Boyes found a way to score consistently, even with limited playmaking support.

Reaching the 40-Goal Milestone

Achieving 40 goals in the NHL is a significant accomplishment under any circumstances. Doing so for a team that finished below .500 makes it even more remarkable.

His 43 goals represented a substantial increase from his previous career high of 26, a leap of over 65 percent from the prior season.

The power play played a crucial role in his success, as did his ability to find open space and capitalize on chances around the net. Boyes possessed a quick shot and an innate talent for being in the right place at the right time. During that season, these qualities seemed to be on display almost every shift.

What Happened Next?

Boyes followed his outstanding 2007-08 season with 33 goals in 2008-09. While a decrease from 43, he remained a productive player, and the Blues made the playoffs for the first time in the post-lockout era.

However, Boyes only managed 14 goals in 2009-10. Suddenly, the player who had appeared to be one of the NHL's top goal scorers just two years prior was no longer producing at anywhere near the same level.

Boyes' tenure with the Blues concluded the following season when he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline. He continued to be a useful NHL player, playing for several organizations. Nonetheless, his 43-goal season remained the peak of his offensive career. After leaving the Blues, he only scored 20 goals once more. This makes his 2007-08 season feel like a truly unique, almost improbable, hockey moment.

A Season to Remember

It's easy to overlook Boyes when discussing memorable Blues scorers. The franchise has featured many more accomplished offensive stars. Brett Hull's goal-scoring dominance is in a league of its own. Players like Pavol Demitra, Tkachuk, Pierre Turgeon, Doug Gilmour, and Vladimir Tarasenko have stronger claims to being remembered as definitive offensive forces for the Blues.

This should not diminish what Boyes achieved. In 2007-08, he scored more goals than some of the league's best players, all while being part of a team that significantly missed the playoffs.

Perhaps this is the allure of his 43-goal season. It was unexpected. It was spectacular. It happened on a team that was not particularly strong, and it was never quite replicated.

For those 82 games, however, Boyes was one of the NHL's most dangerous finishers.