Prospect Info: Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[Blanick]

I'm not ready to give up on Snuggerud yet. I actually really like the fact that he has a shoot first mentality as our current crop of players have a tendency to over pass. That being said if someone came along and offered a top RHD prospect I might be convinced to move him as we have several guys with upper end offensive potential (Dvorsky, Snuggy, Pekarcik, Stenberg, Bolduc) and not enough with upper end defense potential.

 

[execwrite1]

Snuggerud - 6 GP 1 G 6 A 7 Pts. 29 shots, 10 more than next closest

Not terrible.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

For a team that struggles scoring, trading a guy with the scoring ability of Snuggerud would be a mistake we would come to regret pretty quickly, I think.

1. Don't count on guys to break out before they're 23, especially college guys. If they do, great. But I wouldn't make too many drastic evaluations before they reach that D+5 season.
2. I haven't watched any Minny games, but we don't know what Snuggerud is working on / through right now. Is he focusing on a 200-foot game? Does his team need him to be defense first? Is he nursing an injury? All sorts of things could be going on that don't show up on the scoresheet.
3. He is over PPG in college hockey. That's not a guy you give up on. The goals will come. It's a weaker team than they had last year or the year before, so more attention is on him than before. That's a good thing. It's better he work out how to succeed in that scenario in college hockey than struggle at it in the NHL.

Snuggerud is very much in our long term plans, and there is no reason to change those plans based on 6 games.

I'm also curious if Minnesota has been rolling 4 lines more than they will later in the season because it gives their lesser players more ice time against these weaker opponents.

I don't share the opinion that he's regressed as a prospect, though I can see why the stat lines would make people think that. I do feel like returning to Minnesota this season is a wasted year of development for him. At the end of the day, is it going to matter long-term? Probably not. I still expect to see Snuggerud settle in as our 2nd line RW and PP trigger man very quickly. His shot is lethal.

I wouldn't deal him unless it's part of a package that nets us one of two of the big missing pieces: a 2C or a top pairing D-man. He is the type of prospect that could move a deal like that along.

 

[PocketNines]

Jecho with three assists yesterday

 

[LGB]

Snuggerud is playing with a freshman center who has 2 points. They're only 6 games into the season. Relax. Wish he would have come out this year though.

 

[Bonin21]

Again hate to be the bearer of reality but Snuggerud looks the same as he did in the second half of last year, which is to say nowhere near ready for the NHL.

He has 6 goals in his last 25 games, as a sniper prospect if he wants to stick in the NHL.

It will be a full year in the AHL or a senior year in college. I think he'll choose AHL, but he'll need to keep working his tail off to ever stick full time in the NHL.

Regarding how deep the Gophers are I'd say Snuggerud has been the 6th-8th or so best forward so far this season.

 

[LGB]

Again hate to be the bearer of reality

I get the opposite impression

 

[taylord22]

Again hate to be the bearer of reality but Snuggerud looks the same as he did in the second half of last year, which is to say nowhere near ready for the NHL.

He has 6 goals in his last 25 games, as a sniper prospect if he wants to stick in the NHL.

It will be a full year in the AHL or a senior year in college. I think he'll choose AHL, but he'll need to keep working his tail off to ever stick full time in the NHL.

Regarding how deep the Gophers are I'd say Snuggerud has been the 6th-8th or so best forward so far this season.

Yeah, the alarm bells around his game go back to post WJC, last year. I think where you and I disagreed at the time is: I don't think he can learn any more playing for Motzko and I don't think the surrounding talent is very conducive to Snuggerud's game. He and Moore are/were a bad match, and Motzko constantly shifting him up and down the top 9 borders on the absurd. He should've turned pro and gone to the AHL.

The whole question about Snuggerrud, to me, has always been "can he be the 3rd best player on a top line"? The answer to that from his D+1 to last year's WJC was a loud 'yes'. Even with the putrid play to end the season, he still scored 21 goals (20 is hard in NCAA). There's no good answer as to 'why' that happened, and it's why I'm extra weary that he's just not in a good spot at this point in his development.

For the Blues, on paper, he's exactly what we need to play with Thomas, which is our 2nd biggest organizational need, IMO. I haven't watched every T-birds game, but I like where Dvorsky is at this early in the season. Plenty to work on, but there's a lot more to like in his game than not. And when he does have the puck, he's dangerous. I'm not worried about the 2C.

We need an elite dman, and an elite/near elite winger who can play with Thomas. There's options in F/A, the Blues need to decide if they have the appetite for shelling out dollars, or putting their eggs in the Snuggy basket. But we need that shot first winger.

 

[STL fan in MN]

It appears my observations from Friday’s Gophers game started quite the discussion. Below are some additional thoughts and responses:

For a team that struggles scoring, trading a guy with the scoring ability of Snuggerud would be a mistake we would come to regret pretty quickly, I think.

1. Don't count on guys to break out before they're 23, especially college guys. If they do, great. But I wouldn't make too many drastic evaluations before they reach that D+5 season.
2. I haven't watched any Minny games, but we don't know what Snuggerud is working on / through right now. Is he focusing on a 200-foot game? Does his team need him to be defense first? Is he nursing an injury? All sorts of things could be going on that don't show up on the scoresheet.
3. He is over PPG in college hockey. That's not a guy you give up on. The goals will come. It's a weaker team than they had last year or the year before, so more attention is on him than before. That's a good thing. It's better he work out how to succeed in that scenario in college hockey than struggle at it in the NHL.

Snuggerud is very much in our long term plans, and there is no reason to change those plans based on 6 games.

It’s not just 6 games. It’s pretty much all of last season too.

We shouldn’t make too many observations or judgments until a player’s D+5 year? While many work out their kinks, others do not. Ignoring a lack of development would’ve resulted in us hanging onto Dominik Bokk instead of cutting bait. Sometimes the warning signs are real.

I haven’t watched every Gopher game but around 15 of them last season and this season combined. I think that’s a fair number to make a proper evaluation. He hasn’t been very good for quite a while now. Could he be working through something? Sure, but I doubt it. Not for all that time anyway.

We are no where deep enough to move someone like Snuggerud. And even if he is someone that benefits from better linemates like Cooley, which was always the expectation, that's fine. His shot is his asset, playing with a guy like Thomas down the road has potential for a great partnership.

It's also silly to care about effort in a massive blowout win. Let me know how he performs in the meaningful games against quality opponents.

Not everyone can play with Thomas. That’s what I mean by a lack of versatility. He needs a very specific type of linemates to be successful. We only have 1 Thomas (0 currently actually). We need wingers that can be successful paired with all sorts of Cs, not just one of the best in the entire league.

He’s looked like garbage against most quality competition as well.

Of the guys who aren't currently in the NHL, it's Dvorsky, Snuggerud, and then a BIG gap between the rest. One day we'll have to trade in 4 quarters for a dollar, but I don't think this season is that time. Let things shake out a bit more, let guys reveal who they can be for the team.

I’d put all of Dvorsky, Lindstein, Jiricek, Bolduc and Stenberg ahead if Snuggerud.

I’m not advocating we absolutely trade Snuggerud. But if we are to trade a prospect in the next year or so, he’d be the one I’d look to move. I’m concerned with his development. I’ve watched him a lot. He has massive holes in his games and I’m not really seeing much of any improvement. I think I’m pretty fair with my observations with prospects and try to pump their tires when I can. But there’s some very clear red flags I’ve seen with Snuggerud. Could I be wrong? Sure, but just giving my honest observations.

 

[PocketNines]

I’d put all of Dvorsky, Lindstein, Jiricek, Bolduc and Stenberg ahead if Snuggerud.

I don't know about Bolduc relative to Snuggerud because I still see one being more valuable than the other in his skillset if he reaches it and they seem about similar likelihood.

But Dvorsky Lindstein Jiricek Stenberg is my top 4. Then Snuggy Fischer Bolduc. Dvorsky Lindstein Stenberg and Fischer read to me as definite NHL players. Jiricek Snuggy Bolduc are talented question marks to me

 

[Majorityof1]

Yeah, the alarm bells around his game go back to post WJC, last year. I think where you and I disagreed at the time is: I don't think he can learn any more playing for Motzko and I don't think the surrounding talent is very conducive to Snuggerud's game. He and Moore are/were a bad match, and Motzko constantly shifting him up and down the top 9 borders on the absurd. He should've turned pro and gone to the AHL.

The whole question about Snuggerrud, to me, has always been "can he be the 3rd best player on a top line"? The answer to that from his D+1 to last year's WJC was a loud 'yes'. Even with the putrid play to end the season, he still scored 21 goals (20 is hard in NCAA). There's no good answer as to 'why' that happened, and it's why I'm extra weary that he's just not in a good spot at this point in his development.

For the Blues, on paper, he's exactly what we need to play with Thomas, which is our 2nd biggest organizational need, IMO. I haven't watched every T-birds game, but I like where Dvorsky is at this early in the season. Plenty to work on, but there's a lot more to like in his game than not. And when he does have the puck, he's dangerous. I'm not worried about the 2C.

We need an elite dman, and an elite/near elite winger who can play with Thomas. There's options in F/A, the Blues need to decide if they have the appetite for shelling out dollars, or putting their eggs in the Snuggy basket. But we need that shot first winger.

I agree with much of this but 2C is still our 2nd biggest need. I don't think its fair to say Dvorsky will fill one need but discount our prospects on the other. Until the prospect hits, its still a need. With Buchnevich and Kyrou, plus a lot of other winger prospects and the fact that wingers are the easiest to acquire through FA/trade, 2C is still an overwhelmingly bigger need than a winger for Thomas. Dvorsky still has a TON of work before he is an good NHL 2C.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Dalibor D-scoreski'ed

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850648953626251769

Laser show.

 

[542365]

Dalibor D-scoreski'ed

https://x.com/i/web/status/1850648953626251769

Laser show.

What a snipe.

 

[StLewis11]

It appears my observations from Friday’s Gophers game started quite the discussion. Below are some additional thoughts and responses:


It’s not just 6 games. It’s pretty much all of last season too.

We shouldn’t make too many observations or judgments until a player’s D+5 year? While many work out their kinks, others do not. Ignoring a lack of development would’ve resulted in us hanging onto Dominik Bokk instead of cutting bait. Sometimes the warning signs are real.

I haven’t watched every Gopher game but around 15 of them last season and this season combined. I think that’s a fair number to make a proper evaluation. He hasn’t been very good for quite a while now. Could he be working through something? Sure, but I doubt it. Not for all that time anyway.


Not everyone can play with Thomas. That’s what I mean by a lack of versatility. He needs a very specific type of linemates to be successful. We only have 1 Thomas (0 currently actually). We need wingers that can be successful paired with all sorts of Cs, not just one of the best in the entire league.

He’s looked like garbage against most quality competition as well.

I’d put all of Dvorsky, Lindstein, Jiricek, Bolduc and Stenberg ahead if Snuggerud.

I’m not advocating we absolutely trade Snuggerud. But if we are to trade a prospect in the next year or so, he’d be the one I’d look to move. I’m concerned with his development. I’ve watched him a lot. He has massive holes in his games and I’m not really seeing much of any improvement. I think I’m pretty fair with my observations with prospects and try to pump their tires when I can. But there’s some very clear red flags I’ve seen with Snuggerud. Could I be wrong? Sure, but just giving my honest observations.

Sure seems Snuggy's shot would be a huge weapon on the power play though.

 

[taylord22]

I agree with much of this but 2C is still our 2nd biggest need. I don't think its fair to say Dvorsky will fill one need but discount our prospects on the other. Until the prospect hits, its still a need. With Buchnevich and Kyrou, plus a lot of other winger prospects and the fact that wingers are the easiest to acquire through FA/trade, 2C is still an overwhelmingly bigger need than a winger for Thomas. Dvorsky still has a TON of work before he is an good NHL 2C.

That's fair. If you have a 2C it puts Buch back with Thomas. That puts your 1C in a position to succeed, which he was not in at all prior to his injury. But, I would still argue 2C is only more important in the short term.

I don't think this organization is in a position where they have the luxury of spending assets on a position their clear cut best prospect charts at. We lack elite talent at the top of the line-up and blue-line. I think we're going to have to spend assets to bring in one, or both of those roles. And that's the same pool of assets we'd use to bring in a 2C now.

You're right that we have more lottery tickets on the wing, and it's easier to bring wings in via F/A...but , bringing in a 2C will almost assuredly remove from that same pile of dollars because you're unlikely to get a young 2C via trade without spending SIGNIFICANT futures. And I'd rather spend those dollars/futures on an elite wing, and/or elite D.

And while it's good pushback that all of this is predicated on the 'hope' that Dvorsky ascends to a middle 6 C role soon (end of year/25-26), I think it’s fairer to more readily assume success for Dvorsky because: 1) he’s already competing at a pro level, pushing his game, while Snuggerud opted not to; 2) he’s been performing reasonably well as a top-six center in the AHL, where the leap from the CHL is significantly greater than the step up from the AHL to the NHL; and 3) whenever they’ve shared the ice, there's a distinct difference in talent/processing, IMO.

 

[Majorityof1]

That's fair. If you have a 2C it puts Buch back with Thomas. That puts your 1C in a position to succeed, which he was not in at all prior to his injury. But, I would still argue 2C is only more important in the short term.

I don't think this organization is in a position where they have the luxury of spending assets on a position their clear cut best prospect charts at. We lack elite talent at the top of the line-up and blue-line. I think we're going to have to spend assets to bring in one, or both of those roles. And that's the same pool of assets we'd use to bring in a 2C now.

You're right that we have more lottery tickets on the wing, and it's easier to bring wings in via F/A...but , bringing in a 2C will almost assuredly remove from that same pile of dollars because you're unlikely to get a young 2C via trade without spending SIGNIFICANT futures. And I'd rather spend those dollars/futures on an elite wing, and/or elite D.

And while it's good pushback that all of this is predicated on the 'hope' that Dvorsky ascends to a middle 6 C role soon (end of year/25-26), I think it’s fairer to more readily assume success for Dvorsky because: 1) he’s already competing at a pro level, pushing his game, while Snuggerud opted not to; 2) he’s been performing reasonably well as a top-six center in the AHL, where the leap from the CHL is significantly greater than the step up from the AHL to the NHL; and 3) whenever they’ve shared the ice, there's a distinct difference in talent/processing, IMO.

We have 2 top 6 wings established. We need 2 more. Even without Snuggy, we have Bolduc, Neighbours, Holloway and Stenburg all playing in pro leagues . Dvorsky is putting up points but is the worst +/- on his team. I haven't watched much beyond highlights, but that indicates the defensive end if his game isn't ready.

If winger prospects don't work out, we don't need to spend assets for a wing. Guys like Saad can be a stop gap for relatively cheap. Or we can just have Dvorsky play wing.

I'm not saying we should go out and give big assets for a 30-year old C. But if we can get a strong 2C who fits our timeline, I move Snuggy+ for it all day. Having too much C depth with Thomas, 2C and Dvorsky is a luxury. Our Cup was built on C depth with ROR, Schenn, Bozak and Sunny. Our 3rd and 4th line C had more points than all but 3 wings that playoffs. We had 3 top 6 wings and the last one was by committe but we had good Cs.

 

[taylord22]

We have 2 top 6 wings established. We need 2 more. Even without Snuggy, we have Bolduc, Neighbours, Holloway and Stenburg all playing in pro leagues . Dvorsky us putting up points but is the worst +/- on his team. I haven't watched much beyond highlights, but that indicates the defensive end if his game isn't ready.

If winger prosoects don't work out, we don't need to spend assets for a wing. Guys like Saad can be a stop gap for relatively cheap. Or we can just gave Dvorsky play wing.

I'm not saying we should go out and give big assets for a 30-year order C. But if we can get a strong 2C who fits our timeline, I move Snuggy+ for it all day. Having too much C depth with Thomas, 2C and Dvorsky is a luxury. Our Cup was built on C depth with ROR, Schenn, Bozak and Sunny. Our 3rd and 4th line C had more points than all but 3 wings that playoffs. We had 3 top 6 wings and the last one was by committe but we had good Cs.

I don't disagree with your core point. I may be on an island with this drum I continue to beat, I full acknowledge that. But just to round it out — statistically, this offense is an engine without an exhaust, largely due to the redundancy across our lineup, especially on the wings. We're loaded with game managers and pass-first players, creating a lineup that lacks finishing diversity.

Watching Thomas’s prime years slip by without a true catch-and-release option is something that HAS to internally have an expiration clock, and I would argue we're quickly approaching that expiration. The number of pucks landing in high-danger spots only to be mishandled or passed up for an extra play is maddening. It’s not a coaching or strategy issue; it's a missing skill.

If the plan is to actually compete next year, strengthening Thomas’s line is one of the easiest ways to elevate this team’s ceiling, for all the reasons we've discussed: elite wing talent is easier to acquire, and it generally comes at a lower price than top-6 centers or top-pairing defensemen. Could Snuggerud or Bolduc eventually fill that role? Possibly. I just like the Dvorsky 'bet' a lot better.

As for Dvorsky, he’s been out there in high-pressure situations over the last couple of weekends, with the T-Birds taking more risks playing behind. His numbers have taken a hit from these pile-ons, more than from individual mistakes. This isn’t a repeat of 2022 Kyrou. While he still lags a bit defensively, he’s much further along than Bolduc and Dean were at this point last year in all 3 zones.

 

[MissouriMook]

Given the quality of his shot, what if Dvorsky fits better as our Top 6 shoot first winger than as our 2C heir apparent?

 

[bleedblue1223]

There are plenty of shoot first centers nowadays, doesn't even feel like it's a new thing either. If he can play center, great. If his shot develops into an elite shot at the NHL level, great. If both happen and we have a center that has 40 goal upside or at least 30 goal upside, fantastic.

 

[Bonin21]

Sure seems Snuggy's shot would be a huge weapon on the power play though.

IMO one reason his goal tally has dropped. The Gopher PP scheme is awful, and they rarely move the puck quickly enough for him to get off a clean one timer in his spot.

 

[bleedblue1223]

I mean that's kind of the issue I have with some of the criticism of him. I think some were misguided based on draft reports that he was more of a Schwartz type, one that is super underrated and works his tail off in dirty areas to make his other linemates better. If Snuggy is going to make it, it's going to be because of his shot. That does sort of mean that he has an aspect of boom/bust to his game, like say a Wahlstrom, but Wahlstrom never produced like Snuggy at NCAA level. And while Snuggy might not be dominant enough to be a truly elite NHL scorer, a Boeser level is plenty reasonable.

He certainly has things to develop himself, but I do think his success is going to have a lot to do with coaching and linemates as well. He'll have to develop a complete game, but he'll also need to be put in positions to utilize his shot.

No doubt a line with Cooley and Knies helped boost his production, but since then he hasn't really had ideal linemates either. And his drop in linemate quality didn't impact his goal production, just his assists.

 

[Bonin21]

I think some were misguided based on draft reports that he was more of a Schwartz type, one that is super underrated and works his tail off in dirty areas to make his other linemates better.

Oh, I didn't know some still thought that. Could have told you that wasn't the case about two months into his freshman year.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Oh, I didn't know some still thought that. Could have told you that wasn't the case about two months into his freshman year.

Some just don't follow him as much. Some earlier mentioned that he had Buchnevich type qualities. He's not that type of player, but that's also not a knock on him. He's there to finish plays off.

 

[LGB]

Some just don't follow him as much. Some earlier mentioned that he had Buchnevich type qualities. He's not that type of player, but that's also not a knock on him. He's there to finish plays off.

I've made that comparison and I stand by it. Buch isn't exactly a puck hound, he's an opportunist, as is Snuggerud. Buch is a better defensive player, but I think there are some parallels, both do some little support things that really make a difference with talented linemates. Playmaking trough the NZ, small area plays to hold OZ possession, finding soft ice for shooting opportunities. It's definitely not an exact comparison but if I was going to compare him to anyone on the roster it would be Buch.

 

[Fez Whatley]

Let's put dvorsky on the wing and keep buch as 2c I like it

/s