I don't think it's a "big deal" and you don't want to create any friction with a top prospect if he truly insisted on going (which we have no idea as of today) but considering how he's thriving at the pro level it's a little odd to go backwards to junior competition...it's one of thing if he was struggling and needed a shot of confidence...
I guess I just don't view it as "going backwards" It is a major tournament and Dvorsky will have a leadership role on his team competing against his peers. The Blues have allowed players to go from the NHL squad in the past so I don't really see what the issue is with him leaving the AHL team for a couple weeks.
You're not thinking of it from a players perspective... It's an amazing opportunity to represent your country on international television and try to gain some accolades for a hockey program that has seen a lot of growth.
Might technically be lower competition than the AHL but him playing for Slovakia’s U20 team for a couple weeks is incredibly unlikely to alter the direction of his career one way or the other.
I'm not all that concerned about it, especially if he advocated to play in the tournament. I don't view it as an issue, but it is objectively a step backwards to a lower level of competition. He's been playing top 6 minutes against the opponent's best players in the AHL. The players he has been on the ice with and against have been better and more developed than the players he will play against in the tournament. The style of play will also be sloppier and less structured than what he's been experiencing.
My (again, minor) issue with him going is that he has seized an (on ice) leadership role in Springfield. He's getting big minutes with prime deployment and someone else will take those minutes while he is gone. There are never guarantees that you get those minutes back the instant you return from your junior tournament. For me it is much less about him playing pro hockey and much more about what he's been doing at that pro level. Or maybe you get it back at first, but the timing is off, you make a dumb play that just worked 4 days ago in the WJC bronze medal game and the coach goes back to the guy who found chemistry with your line mates while you were gone.
This is how I’m looking at it. It’s like getting a couple of weeks of playoff level intensity (especially for the second tier teams) in the middle of the season.
Blues let Petro go when he was with the big club
Just tuning in. Looks like Minnesota is dominating. Snuggy might get that National Championship shot.
I’m hoping that when Snuggy signs his deal that he will sign starting next year. Signs a year ending deal with Springfield and helps them in the playoffs should they stay in contention. If they get Dean, Robertsson and Snuggy in the playoffs, then they will get a serious talent injection.
Is Robertsson back? How has he looked in any games you’ve been able to witness?
I really like him. He’s only played in a few games, but he is a 200 ft player, very good shot, and looks the part of a top 9. He just hasn’t stayed healthy. Very similar to Kaskimaki in my eyes jack of all trades master of none, but more physical. Kaskimaki is a first PP and first PK guy on Springfield. Both look to have top 6-9 tools. Just how much they can open the toolbox is the question.
Thanks! I was really high on him his draft year. I thought correctly that he would slip to us in later rounds. I knew he’d be a slow burner and I said myself “man, he could a surprise brisket when he’s ready!” The knock on him was/is his IQ and I remember some Swedish posters knocking his skating as well. I have way more faith in him than I did in Kostin who I viewed similarly.
