Prospect Info: Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[bleedblue1223]

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.

Fair enough, didn't mean to zero in on you either. I do think some of the comments from his USA teammates saying he was the most underrated on the team took on a life of its own.

 

[LGB]

Fair enough, didn't mean to zero in on you either. I do think some of the comments from his USA teammates saying he was the most underrated on the team took on a life of its own.

Didn’t take it that way. Just wanted to give my thoughts.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

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

I've been thinking along these lines as well. Dvo supposedly had the best shot in all of Juniors last year, perhaps he's our answer as the trigger winger on Thomas' line, where his lack of footspeed and defensive acumen becomes far less of a concern. No one has knocked his work ethic, or his willingness to battle, it's been other things that have made him look like a non-surefire lock for 2C. Then we need to figure out how to turn one of Bolduc/Snuggy/Stenberg/whomever (Perhaps a UFA?) into a 2C.

Buch-Thomas-Dvo
Neighbors - ??? - Kyrou

Could be a really solid top 6 in another two years.

 

[TK 421]

The Blues didn't draft Dalibor Dvorsky to play wing, they didn't draft Otto Stenberg to play wing either but that doesn't seem to be registering widely amongst the Blues fanbase yet. Lots see Stenberg as purely a winger even on this board but where the Blues have actually played them in prospect camp scrims, and in Dvorsky's case preseason games, is at center. I think the internal belief in the Blues org is that these are the 2 and 3 C's behind Rob Thom in future lineups. It might not pan out of course but I think that's the desired outcome of those two picks from the Blues perspective.

Dvorsky will play 40+ AHL games this season then begin his transition late in '24-'25 while Stenberg likely gets to spend a similar amount of time or slightly less with Steve Konowalchuk as his new 1C with the departure of Dvorsky to STL for '25-'26. Now the Blues could improve the position with a short term UFA but you have a pair of middle 6 center prospects that you really shouldn't be blocking so it had better be a 1 year filler type of vet that you can easily push to the side if you hit on both.

I'd like to add a bit more evidence as to why I think they view Stenberg as a center beyond him being in consecutive prospect camps and scrims as one. At the '23 Draft the Blues had no certainty that Dvorsky would be available at 10 so they factored that into their approach when they had a little more certainty their other two guys would be available at 25 and 29. They wanted a center in that 1st round but if they didn't get one at 10 they were walking with one at 25 to make sure they got at least one. Stenberg was their backup plan as a middle 6 C if they missed on Dvorsky and they were thrilled to add two potential centers when they got both.

Again many view him as a winger due to where Frolunda, Malmo or the NT have played him or perhaps they just feels he fits better at wing but if you watch him play he ends up in the middle of the ice a lot for a winger....his game is pure chaos while being shifty and fast so he tends to be at his best in open ice where he has the most freedom to roam and drive opposing defenses nuts. Watch him, he gravitates to the middle constantly no matter where you start him. His motor is always going and as a tremendous skater and competitor he could be an ideal 3C behind Rob Thom and Dvorsky if he worked out there as a pro. He's also a future NHL captain which is kind of a big deal. Oh and his team beat Dvorsky's two years running in the prospect scrims with each as the respective 1C, just saying. He drove the opposing defense NUTS in the last one. They were crosschecking him and tripping him like crazy by the end. I think they got tired of getting twisted up into human pretzels trying to figure out whether he was zigging or zagging next. Anyway my speculation aside I think that Tim Taylor very obviously likes his game at center so even if you personally don't at least be aware that they definitely seem to think he could be.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Jiricek officially joins Brantford. Hopefully this means he's ready to play in games. I can't wait to see him.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851314310443626984

The Blues didn't draft Dalibor Dvorsky to play wing, they didn't draft Otto Stenberg to play wing either but that doesn't seem to be registering widely amongst the Blues fanbase yet. Lots see Stenberg as purely a winger even on this board but where the Blues have actually played them in prospect camp scrims, and in Dvorsky's case preseason games, is at center. I think the internal belief in the Blues org is that these are the 2 and 3 C's behind Rob Thom in future lineups. It might not pan out of course but I think that's the desired outcome of those two picks from the Blues perspective.

Dvorsky will play 40+ AHL games this season then begin his transition late in '24-'25 while Stenberg likely gets to spend a similar amount of time or slightly less with Steve Konowalchuk as his new 1C with the departure of Dvorsky to STL for '25-'26. Now the Blues could improve the position with a short term UFA but you have a pair of middle 6 center prospects that you really shouldn't be blocking so it had better be a 1 year filler type of vet that you can easily push to the side if you hit on both.

I'd like to add a bit more evidence as to why I think they view Stenberg as a center beyond him being in consecutive prospect camps and scrims as one. At the '23 Draft the Blues had no certainty that Dvorsky would be available at 10 so they factored that into their approach when they had a little more certainty their other two guys would be available at 25 and 29. They wanted a center in that 1st round but if they didn't get one at 10 they were walking with one at 25 to make sure they got at least one. Stenberg was their backup plan as a middle 6 C if they missed on Dvorsky and they were thrilled to add two potential centers when they got both.

Again many view him as a winger due to where Frolunda, Malmo or the NT have played him or perhaps they just feels he fits better at wing but if you watch him play he ends up in the middle of the ice a lot for a winger....his game is pure chaos while being shifty and fast so he tends to be at his best in open ice where he has the most freedom to roam and drive opposing defenses nuts. Watch him, he gravitates to the middle constantly no matter where you start him. His motor is always going and as a tremendous skater and competitor he could be an ideal 3C behind Rob Thom and Dvorsky if he worked out there as a pro. He's also a future NHL captain which is kind of a big deal. Oh and his team beat Dvorsky's two years running in the prospect scrims with each as the respective 1C, just saying. He drove the opposing defense NUTS in the last one. They were crosschecking him and tripping him like crazy by the end. I think they got tired of getting twisted up into human pretzels trying to figure out whether he was zigging or zagging next. Anyway my speculation aside I think that Tim Taylor very obviously likes his game at center so even if you personally don't at least be aware that they definitely seem to think he could be.

I've watched a ton of Stenberg's last two seasons, plus the WJC last year. Defensively, I don't doubt he could handle himself as a C. I don't know if he has the playmaking ability to be a C in the NHL.

I think Stenberg profiles more as a W who can play C, more than a C who can play W.

I'd be thrilled if I am incorrect in this assessment.

 

[PocketNines]

Brantford hosts Erie on Friday

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Brantford hosts Erie on Friday

Every time someone posts about Brantford, I think it’s about Zach Sanford.

 

[TK 421]

Jiricek officially joins Brantford. Hopefully this means he's ready to play in games. I can't wait to see him.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851314310443626984

I've watched a ton of Stenberg's last two seasons, plus the WJC last year. Defensively, I don't doubt he could handle himself as a C. I don't know if he has the playmaking ability to be a C in the NHL.

I think Stenberg profiles more as a W who can play C, more than a C who can play W.

I'd be thrilled if I am incorrect in this assessment.

Your opinion is shared by many as I referenced, I think it's flown under the radar that the Blues see him as a potential future center due to seeing that prevalent opinion so often. Meanwhile I'm watching him get pitted against Dvorsky head to head in scrims in a center battle two years in a row thinking Tim Taylor really seems to like him there and he's the one in charge of that decision organizationally so it's the only relevant data point and it would seem that they see him as a center, or at the very least they hope he's a center solution long term as the primary goal and if not they hope he's a solid winger. My post is entirely based on what I think the Blues intend for him rather than making a case for him playing C or W though obviously I'm very intrigued by the possibility of him playing center long term for us.

 

[BleedBlue14]

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

We’re going to have to look outside the organization if Dvorsky isn’t a top 6 center. Or get one in this draft.

 

[MissouriMook]

We’re going to have to look outside the organization if Dvorsky isn’t a top 6 center. Or get one in this draft.

True, but to be clear, my suggestion wasn’t based on Dvorsky not being able to fulfill the role, but rather being more valuable or effective on Thomas’ wing in a shooting role.

 

[PocketNines]

Jecho at McIssac tonight (EDM @ SPO), Mrsic also in action

The other night I got a peek at Jecho vs Tri City and Jackson Smith, defenseman, is the guy I am keeping an eye on. He is projected as one of the top handful of D in this draft (he was 18 on the list MN posted). Smith had three assists and was second star. Big kid. Will try to see more of him

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851813382799729093

Jecho is a big boy.

 

[greybush314]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851813382799729093

Jecho is a big boy.

And he can skate.

 

[PocketNines]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851813382799729093

Jecho is a big boy.

Jecho and Stancl are large guys out here in the WHL. The two defensemen defending on Jecho's goal last night, dear lord. Thank god that wasn't McIsaac

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1851813382799729093

Jecho is a big boy.

Jecho was a very hard guy to get a good read on last year. You could see lots of tools, but could he open the tool box? He only has to open part of the box to be a player bottom six. Is there more in the tank? Some likened him to have late 1st second round potential.

 

[Memento]

Jecho was my favorite pick in our 2024 draft from the start. Honestly, I thought he did have first round potential. I'm very happy we got him where we did.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Jiricek top Pair for Brantford tonight

 

[bleedblue1223]

Snuggy scored.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Snuggy scored.

5 goals or bust

 

[TheOrganist]

2 goals and 6 shots for Snuggle Bear. Perhaps he’s been reading the criticism on HF this week and delivered an FU game!

 

[Linkens Mastery]

2 goals and 6 shots for Snuggle Bear. Perhaps he’s been reading the criticism on HF this week and delivered an FU game!

Still not 5 tho.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Anybody hear/see any feedback from Jiricek's first game?

 

[PocketNines]

his team played again today but I just realized 6pm eastern not pacific so I missed it

all the box score says he did today was close his hand on the puck once

 

[ezcreepin]

Tried finding TOI for Jiricek for this 3 games but I can't locate it easily on OHL's website. Looks like as he got more comfortable, he started shooting way more, which is good. I'll just have to wait to see how he plays this year before making an opinion on him, but if he's healthy who cares.

Pretty happy overall with how the prospects are playing. Lots of recently drafted guys playing at or close to a point per game which for stat watching is awesome. I really like the Mrsic pick and it seems like he could have a Kyrou-lite rise in our system with how he plays. He's not going to be as good skating, but he's likely a better shooter and has good passing skills. Curious about him. Korotky is very interesting as a player but he still hasn't been called up which is a bit weird. Whatever there is to say about the MHL, I think it says a bit that an 18 year old is tearing up that league. Waiting to see what he does in the VHL and hopefully KHL. Happy with Pekarcik, Jecho, Burns, Stancl, Fischer, happily surprised by Mayich, probably satisfied with Peterson and Dickinson, but a bit worried about Snuggerud until he has a streak of games where he posts 2-3 points consecutively. He's getting passed up by arguably weaker skill players who are older and younger players, so hopefully he isn't riding the carousel and will establish himself as a triggerman and leader on that team. I haven't checked, but he might be one of the few players who has stayed on this team throughout his tenure. He's playing at a 45 point clip which is fine, but I'd like those numbers to flip in regard to goals and assists - I'd like to see him break 21 goals this year and win the championship.

Truthfully, I'm concerned about the AHL defense in general, how the team is playing, and most of all Zherenko. I know the team gets lit up year after year, and maybe trying to save 40+ shots a game is getting to him, but for him to be sub .900 is concerning. I'd like to see possibly some systems changes or something to solidify the roster because I really don't want to see him fail. Ellis is showing he's capable, but I don't know if I see an NHL starter future in him like I would've seen in Zherenko.

I'm good with Stenberg and Lindstein, I think they will be fine stats wise at the end of the year and cautiously I think they both could be ready next year for the NHL. Have to see how things progress. Dvorsky, unfortunately, is running the show in the AHL. Personally I think we've done a disservice to him in not surrounding him with talent to give him support like we might have 5 years ago with those long time AHL vets, because frankly McGing, Alexandrov, Peca, MacEachern, and Co. just aren't going to do it. Very happy to see that he's getting his feet wet, scoring, making plays, but I think we could've jump started his development with a better supporting cast.

 

[BlueMed]

I followed Jiricek's first 3 games in the OHL, which were on back-to-back-to-backs over the weekend. He hasn't recorded a point yet, but he is a +1 despite his team getting scored on 12 times. I hope he is playing on a good enough team for him to develop to his full potential because he will be getting plenty of ice time on the top pairing with Hamara.