Prospect Info: Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[ezcreepin]

Luv what i'm seeing out of kaskimaki. I'd honestly argue he's closer to a callup than Dvorsky is in this present time. Obviously Dvorsky is the more talented Goal scorer....But Kaskimaki's Speed and first three steps is extremely impressive and he knows how to use it. His ability to disrupt and create/force turnovers hunting pucks all over the ice is impressive, he also has the ability to make some high end plays off the wall on breakouts and through transition, he seems to process the game pretty well and scan the ice at a high rate. As a boring coach, I also love how he starts and stops all over the ice relentlessly pressuring pucks or back tracking and picking up the right guys, very impressed with his details and that's something that could get him a bottom 6 look if we get another injury or we make a trade towards the end of the year. Looks like a heck of a 3rd rd pick to me.

Reminds me alot of Arturri Lehkonen, Emil Heineman and Mathieu Joseph. Lehkonen obviously being the player I hope he becomes if everything goes right.

Really, really love the production from Kaskimaki. I was a bit worried how his transition from Liiga to AHL would be, but he has been very good. I can't speak to his play on the ice, only stat-watching, but he seems to be getting rave reviews by a few people. He's usually been even in goals and assists through the years, but he's been more of a playmaker in the AHL. Definitely feels like a guy who should be called up once Saad is traded, and I think Sylvegard should also get some time too as he's been a good offensive weapon in Springfield. He and Kaskimaki could definitely see some 3rd line time down the stretch if we are pretty out of position for a playoff spot, but one should get a look regardless of our position.

I'm pretty happy right now with how our draft prospects are playing overall; I think guys like Stancl, Mrsic, Kaskimaki, Dvorsky, Fischer, Stenberg, Lindstein, etc are playing how they should and I'm super excited to see these guys graduate soon. I think we are pretty well stocked up for a very strong forward group with many contributors, but I'm hoping the defense shakes out much better than our overall view of prospects right now. Lots of guys with potential top 4 pairing projection, but like others have been saying for awhile, we don't have that clear cut #1 defenseman on either side. Broberg is doing his best impression of a developing #1, Parayko is aging (though well), and Lindstein hasn't shown that ability yet to be an all situations guy in whichever pro league he's in. He's had great WJC showings, but I'm waiting to see how he takes up the mantle of being "the guy" when he sees NA action next year. We desperately need a player who can play 23+ minutes a game and be relied on.

 

[DatDude44]

Really, really love the production from Kaskimaki. I was a bit worried how his transition from Liiga to AHL would be, but he has been very good. I can't speak to his play on the ice, only stat-watching, but he seems to be getting rave reviews by a few people. He's usually been even in goals and assists through the years, but he's been more of a playmaker in the AHL. Definitely feels like a guy who should be called up once Saad is traded, and I think Sylvegard should also get some time too as he's been a good offensive weapon in Springfield. He and Kaskimaki could definitely see some 3rd line time down the stretch if we are pretty out of position for a playoff spot, but one should get a look regardless of our position.

I'm pretty happy right now with how our draft prospects are playing overall; I think guys like Stancl, Mrsic, Kaskimaki, Dvorsky, Fischer, Stenberg, Lindstein, etc are playing how they should and I'm super excited to see these guys graduate soon. I think we are pretty well stocked up for a very strong forward group with many contributors, but I'm hoping the defense shakes out much better than our overall view of prospects right now. Lots of guys with potential top 4 pairing projection, but like others have been saying for awhile, we don't have that clear cut #1 defenseman on either side. Broberg is doing his best impression of a developing #1, Parayko is aging (though well), and Lindstein hasn't shown that ability yet to be an all situations guy in whichever pro league he's in. He's had great WJC showings, but I'm waiting to see how he takes up the mantle of being "the guy" when he sees NA action next year. We desperately need a player who can play 23+ minutes a game and be relied on.

I personally don’t see syvlregard filling a role in the NHL due to his skating and style of play. I think luff would be the guy they give a shot to first

 

[bleedblue1223]

I'm curious if Kaskimaki has changed the plans for him for later in the season. We usually don't have a forward score like him or Dvorsky in their rookie season. Kyrou started the year with the Blues in 18/19, and then went down and scored at a high rate immediately. Blais took a season before he was scoring at a high rate, same with Alexandrov and Barbashev. I could see him getting a call up down the stretch, but I could also see them keeping him and Dvorsky down if Springfield makes a push for the playoffs, maybe even Snuggy too depending on his NCAA schedule.

He's probably playing himself into a position where he can realistically make the squad out of training camp next season though.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

I'm curious if Kaskimaki has changed the plans for him for later in the season. We usually don't have a forward score like him or Dvorsky in their rookie season. Kyrou started the year with the Blues in 18/19, and then went down and scored at a high rate immediately. Blais took a season before he was scoring at a high rate, same with Alexandrov and Barbashev. I could see him getting a call up down the stretch, but I could also see them keeping him and Dvorsky down if Springfield makes a push for the playoffs, maybe even Snuggy too depending on his NCAA schedule.

He's probably playing himself into a position where he can realistically make the squad out of training camp next season though.

I really see no problem letting him develop his offensive game at the AHL level and keep developing it. Hes never been in a position to use it.

 

[BlueMed]

I think we will see Kaskimaki, Stenberg, Lindstein, and Stancl in the AHL next year with Kaskimaki being the first availabe call-up out of these guys.

 

[Mike Liut]

I think we will see Kaskimaki, Stenberg, Lindstein, and Stancl in the AHL next year with Kaskimaki being the first availabe call-up out of these guys.

We need to get Snuggy signed too

 

[LetsGoBooze]

We need to get Snuggy signed too

Once college season ends, i think we'll sign him and immediately give him a look on the pro roster a few games end of season, if were out of the race by then.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Once college season ends, i think we'll sign him and immediately give him a look on the pro roster a few games end of season, if were out of the race by then.

I hope they do like Parayko and sign him to an AHL deal with his entry level deal starting next year. He should have a long frozen four run though

 

[bleedblue1223]

Taylor on Ralph. Two things that stick out here, that our amateur staff was really high on him and that even since then, he's taken huge steps.

“He might be a left-shot version of (Colton) Parayko,” Taylor said. “Those are big shoes to fill, and I don’t want to think that I’m saying he’s Parayko right now, but that’s the type of player that he is, a shutdown guy. He’s a little more physical than Colton was at that age and he’s strong.

“He’s come a long way. When we picked him, our amateur staff was really high on him. (But) from where he came from last year to where he is now, he’s taken huge steps and huge strides. He seems to get accustomed to the level he’s playing at very quickly.”

 

[PocketNines]

Taylor on Ralph. Two things that stick out here, that our amateur staff was really high on him and that even since then, he's taken huge steps.

Yeah that was from that video, this was my major headline out of the whole interview.

You can see exactly what Taylor is talking about. He got a lot of minutes in the third period the game before Finland. The body and skating is very lefty Parayko. First pass is solid. He made simple smart plays to help his team and he is able to use his body to separate forecheckers from the puck.

I am 100% excited to watch St. Cloud when this tourney is over.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Yeah that was from that video, this was my major headline out of the whole interview.

You can see exactly what Taylor is talking about. He got a lot of minutes in the third period the game before Finland. The body and skating is very lefty Parayko. First pass is solid. He made simple smart plays to help his team and he is able to use his body to separate forecheckers from the puck.

I am 100% excited to watch St. Cloud when this tourney is over.

I'm curious to see how his offense develops. While Parayko isn't that great in that area, he uses his size and skating ability to get into plays and he's good enough to be in that 30ish point range, and he's pushing for 40+ this season. Parayko had higher point totals than Ralph though.

Skjei is somone that had minimal offensive production in college, but then started producing more at NHL level, so that could be another decent comp.

On some level, we all probably knew Ralph was high on our list since it kind of surprised a bunch when we took him, but it definitely feels like they were very high on him, and seeing him play, it makes sense and they have a clear vision with how they want the defense. They want size, skating ability, and guys that are good enough with the puck to be able to transition it out of the d-zone. The one thing we lack is someone with high offensive upside that can QB a top PP, but that probably shouldn't be too difficult to acquire down the road if a few of the guys we have develop.

 

[PocketNines]

I'm curious to see how his offense develops. While Parayko isn't that great in that area, he uses his size and skating ability to get into plays and he's good enough to be in that 30ish point range, and he's pushing for 40+ this season. Parayko had higher point totals than Ralph though.

Skjei is somone that had minimal offensive production in college, but then started producing more at NHL level, so that could be another decent comp.

On some level, we all probably knew Ralph was high on our list since it kind of surprised a bunch when we took him, but it definitely feels like they were very high on him, and seeing him play, it makes sense and they have a clear vision with how they want the defense. They want size, skating ability, and guys that are good enough with the puck to be able to transition it out of the d-zone. The one thing we lack is someone with high offensive upside that can QB a top PP, but that probably shouldn't be too difficult to acquire down the road if a few of the guys we have develop.

Exactly, a player like Ralph is super helpful but what we need with the existing and incoming group we have is a #1 defenseman who's more John Carlson and less Jacob Slavin.

FWIW Ralph had some moments walking the line in the O zone to fire a slapshot that told me he has some similarity to Parayko there too

 

[bleedblue1223]

Exactly, a player like Ralph is super helpful but what we need with the existing and incoming group we have is a #1 defenseman who's more John Carlson and less Jacob Slavin.

FWIW Ralph had some moments walking the line in the O zone to fire a slapshot that told me he has some similarity to Parayko there too

Would've loved if we could've landed Buium, but I do think our scouts valued a RD.

 

[DatDude44]

Would've loved if we could've landed Buium, but I do think our scouts valued a RD.

Same I would’ve traded the entire draft for Buium lol That said I don’t mind how it looks. I think Jiricek will take some time, but ultimately becomes a nice 2nd pair RHD. Guessing we keep Faulk until that point……

Really hope lindstein can be a top pair minute muncher eventually, similiar to a Fowler type with more speed. I think Broberg is perfect in a 2nd pair role both short and long term imo where he can take over offensively and activate more without paying for the occasional mistakes as much that come out of that style of play.