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Could the worst thing that could’ve happen actually be ... the best thing that could’ve happened?

Jimmy Snuggerud returned to college for the 2024-25 hockey season to win a national title. Minnesota, as you might know, is his home state, his home school, his dad’s school and his granddad’s school. The goal was to score a bunch of goals and end up in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ — home of this week’s Frozen Four.

Well, he ended up in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ early. Prematurely. The Golden Gophers lost in the NCAA regionals, destroying Snuggerud’s dream. But — he was able to join the Blues with seven games left in the season. Entering Monday’s game in Winnipeg, the forward Snuggerud had contributed to victories in his first three games — wins No. 10, 11 and 12 of the Blues’ epic (historic!) winning streak. And because Blues breakout forward Dylan Holloway suffered an injury, Snuggerud’s sudden existence and emergence helped lessen the blow.

So yeah, instead of getting him next week — when ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ has just one final regular-season game — the Blues got him for seven games. And integrating him early could help them later, such as on a Stanley Cup playoff run.

“He’s a good skater, he competes and his vision is pretty good, too,� Blues rookie forward Zack Bolduc said. “We’re happy to have him here. ... He’s great — he’s a good teammate and he’s a good player.�

As I watched Snuggerud from the hockey press box at Enterprise Center last week, I saw a smart and creative player. Sure enough, his third game (last Saturday) was against the Avs, which meant Cale Makar was out there, too. The elite defenseman set a recent standard for going from college to the pros in the same spring.

Back in 2019, Makar’s Minutemen from Massachusetts lost in the title game. Shortly after, Makar joined Colorado — already in the postseason. He scored a goal in his first game and helped Colorado beat Calgary in the first round.

The next year, he finally got around to playing in the regular season. Went on to win the league’s rookie of the year honors for that 2019-20 season. And in 2020-21, well, Makar won the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy as the top player in the playoffs and the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.

This is not to say that Snuggerud will be as dominant as Makar. But it’s a relevant reminder that the future can be the present with talents such as these guys.

Snuggerud tallied two assists in his first three games. And coach Jim Montgomery moved him to the Blues’ top line, along with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich.

Asked what excites him about the 20-year-old, Montgomery paused, thought about it and then said: “His hockey sense, his awareness on the ice, his compete level. His hockey sense and his compete level are high end.�

How much does that impact trust from the coaches?

“A ton,� Montgomery said. “And I’ll say — that’s directly from me. I decide ice time — and it’s a ton. It’s the same thing with Bolduc. His ice time has increased because his compete (level) on pucks and his ability to make plays has increased. Players get rewarded when they play well and they play the right way. Play hard and you’re going to make up for (some) mistakes. We’re all going to make mistakes in this game. But when you play hard and you compete on pucks, good things happen.�

For his first assist, Snuggerud zipped a beautiful pass to Jake Neighbours for a goal. And Snuggerud’s second assist? Holy moly. Falling down near the left corner, Snuggerud still stick-handled to evade a defenseman and backhanded a pass across the net front. Buchnevich received it perfectly and placed it past the goalie for a goal. Buch instantly pointed at Snuggerud to show appreciation for the effort.

“He’s a player, like actual player, making plays, not scared to make a mistake,� Buchnevich told reporters after the game. “That’s the main thing. When the young guys are coming (up to the Blues), it brings new emotions and puts other guys (in a spot) to keep it up and not lose (their) job.�

Even star players have down nights, so you’d have to think that the rookie might have one at some point. Still. The kid fits in right now. Instantly. And the playoffs start soon. And the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Blues, even with injuries to Holloway and Colton Parayko, are the hottest team in hockey.

Who knows, perhaps the Blues still will be playing on June 1, the day Jimmy Snuggerud turns 21.