Prospect Info: Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[ChicagoBlues]

Snuggy had 2 assists yesterday, tied for team lead in points, 3rd in NCAA.

Glad he’s picking it up. I wanna Snuggle.

But he’s trade bait for me.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Which is silly, he's one of our few prospects with true top line upside, and that's what we need.

 

[Celtic Note]

Which is silly, he's one of our few prospects with true top line upside, and that's what we need.

Outside of his shot, what gives him top line upside?

 

[BlueDream]

Outside of his shot, what gives him top line upside?

I mean, scoring goals is one of the main things that makes someone a top line player so…we can’t just diminish that.

The rhetoric surrounding Snuggerud on this board lately is definitely silly. From what I can tell, it started with one poster watching a game and saying “Snuggerud has 3 assists but I don’t like his effort” and from there, a handful of posters started acting like he’s trade bait.

He’s not getting traded.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I mean, scoring goals is one of the main things that makes someone a top line player so…we can’t just diminish that.

The rhetoric surrounding Snuggerud on this board lately is definitely silly. From what I can tell, it started with one poster watching a game and saying “Snuggerud has 3 assists but I don’t like his effort” and from there, a handful of posters started acting like he’s trade bait.

He’s not getting traded.

I gave my assessment of his game. And have watched quite a few of his games. He’s been better as of late. But we’re fooling ourselves if we don’t admit Snuggy has some serious flaws in his game. His shot is elite and he’s a quality player but there’s plenty of risk there.

I wouldn’t look to trade him to just trade him but I value him quite a bit less than I did a year and a half ago. Still a quality prospect but I think he’s a bit overrated.

 

[BlueDream]

I gave my assessment of his game. And have watched quite a few of his games. He’s been better as of late. But we’re fooling ourselves if we don’t admit Snuggy has some serious flaws in his game. His shot is elite and he’s a quality player but there’s plenty of risk there.

I wouldn’t look to trade him to just trade him but I value him quite a bit less than I did a year and a half ago. Still a quality prospect but I think he’s a bit overrated.

Yeah, I’m not saying your assessment was wrong. I didn’t watch that game so I’m not arguing it.

I just thought other people’s reaction to it was a little odd. And you’re a good poster so it’s definitely not a shot at you but I’m not sure any single post from anyone should carry that much sway. Maybe my memory is wrong here but from what I recall this board seemed to be pretty high on him and then that one post changed things. That’s what I noticed.

Hope people realize he still adds elements that we are desperately lacking currently.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Mrsic with a hat trick yesterday

 

[Bobby Orrtuzzo]

Interview of Dvorsky for those interested

 

[Celtic Note]

Interview of Dvorsky for those interested

Excited to listen, but what do those quotes mean? lol

 

[Celtic Note]

I mean, scoring goals is one of the main things that makes someone a top line player so…we can’t just diminish that.

The rhetoric surrounding Snuggerud on this board lately is definitely silly. From what I can tell, it started with one poster watching a game and saying “Snuggerud has 3 assists but I don’t like his effort” and from there, a handful of posters started acting like he’s trade bait.

He’s not getting traded.

I don’t know if the rhetoric comment is aimed at me, but I will say that the Snuggy hype train around took off early. It got bloated as the excitement around him swelled (understandably). He is certainly talented, but being around exceptional players masked some gaps in his game that became apparent once they left. He, like Neighbours, has a good shot. Snuggy’s is better. But, like Neighbours, he will have to up his playmaking and distribution game in addition to his all around game to get to a level I would classify as top line.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Excited to listen, but what do those quotes mean? lol

Basically they want to build him up enough that when he goes to STL they are planning to never see him again.

And anyone who says they never think of someone moving up to the NHL, they are lying

 

[PocketNines]

We've been getting reports for near a calendar year that there are some issues we don't want to hear about with this kid, despite an NHL caliber shot.

 

[Celtic Note]

Basically they want to build him up enough that when he goes to STL they are planning to never see him again.

And anyone who says they never think of someone moving up to the NHL, they are lying

I just found it odd that those were the quotes selected. Without the context of the article it just sounded like jibberish.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I just found it odd that those were the quotes selected. Without the context of the article it just sounded like jibberish.

St. Louis media hates putting things in context.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I just found it odd that those were the quotes selected. Without the context of the article it just sounded like jibberish.

Or he'll be sleeping with the fishes.

 

[PocketNines]

The highlights of Mrsic's game are good. Take note of #7 in blue, that is Jackson Smith for Tri City, potentially available in round 1 where we may draft. These highlights have numerous moments with Mrsic operating up ice and in the offensive zone. He is fast, shifty, gets his shot away. You can see from the highlights how many times he provoked chances, very funny his second goal was such a fluke but he generates flukes because he's so active.

Western Hockey League

Headquartered in Calgary, Albert, the Western Hockey League (WHL) consists of 22 Member Clubs located throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

chl.ca

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

The highlights of Mrsic's game are good. Take note of #7 in blue, that is Jackson Smith for Tri City, potentially available in round 1 where we may draft. These highlights have numerous moments with Mrsic operating up ice and in the offensive zone. He is fast, shifty, gets his shot away. You can see from the highlights how many times he provoked chances, very funny his second goal was such a fluke but he generates flukes because he's so active.

Western Hockey League

Headquartered in Calgary, Albert, the Western Hockey League (WHL) consists of 22 Member Clubs located throughout Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

chl.ca

I can't say any of them look like NHL goals, but nonetheless they went in...

 

[PocketNines]

I can't say any of them look like NHL goals, but nonetheless they went in...

When I watch him he is definitely an aggressive offensive play driver with the puck. He can make a cut skating that forces defenders to be wary. He buzzes around the zone and his name gets called out because he's involved with the puck. 11 goals in 15 games, he knows how to shift and shoot

 

[LGB]

Outside of his shot, what gives him top line upside?

The narrative that all he can do is shoot is crazy. I personally think his playmaking is actually a strength, not a weakness. Weird to say with the pitiful assist total last year, but that looks like it will be an outlier. He’s good with the puck in transition, he’s good at finding space without the puck, he’s good at stealing pucks and quickly finding an open teammate to counter, he’s good in front of the net, the list goes on. I’m personally very high on him, but I acknowledge there are posters whose opinions I respect that have cooled on him. That Bonin guy I put no stock in and I feel like he swayed some people.

 

[Drubilly]

The narrative that all he can do is shoot is crazy. I personally think his playmaking is actually a strength, not a weakness. Weird to say with the pitiful assist total last year, but that looks like it will be an outlier. He’s good with the puck in transition, he’s good at finding space without the puck, he’s good at stealing pucks and quickly finding an open teammate to counter, he’s good in front of the net, the list goes on. I’m personally very high on him, but I acknowledge there are posters whose opinions I respect that have cooled on him. That Bonin guy I put no stock in and I feel like he swayed some people.

Bonin, what a ham.

 

[PocketNines]

I'm still higher on Snuggler than Bolduc. Snuggler we're going to give 2d PP minutes to and shelter him otherwise. And this will work as long as he is not a problem defensively. His game will come along. He is an NHLers kid and he doesn't have a prima donna attitude. If anything he is a team-first guy.

I think he is popping up in potential trades because he's a quality prospect who's not a blue chipper. He fits the profile of legitimate prospect to be put in deal where we are getting the highest quality asset back. I wouldn't read much more into it than that from a trade standpoint. If it means have we cooled that he could be a blue chip prospect, yes it does.

 

[Celtic Note]

The narrative that all he can do is shoot is crazy. I personally think his playmaking is actually a strength, not a weakness. Weird to say with the pitiful assist total last year, but that looks like it will be an outlier. He’s good with the puck in transition, he’s good at finding space without the puck, he’s good at stealing pucks and quickly finding an open teammate to counter, he’s good in front of the net, the list goes on. I’m personally very high on him, but I acknowledge there are posters whose opinions I respect that have cooled on him. That Bonin guy I put no stock in and I feel like he swayed some people.

I am not sure I agree with the playmaking as a strength response, but for the other observations I don’t necessarily disagree. I just don’t think any of his skills aside from shooting related ones are 1st line caliber. They may grow to be, but right now they don’t project to be. That doesn’t mean all he can do is shoot. It just means his shot is the only thing at that level. And I am happy his shooting is that high. We need that skill. I just don’t have the expectation that he is a 1st liner lock. I see him more as a second or third line guy, but I would lean toward second line and possibly at the higher end of those guys. I think if all goes right he could be a 1st liner. But he will need big jumps in other areas of his game for that to happen IMO.

 

[LGB]

I am not sure I agree with the playmaking as a strength response, but for the other observations I don’t necessarily disagree. I just don’t think any of his skills aside from shooting related ones are 1st line caliber. They may grow to be, but right now they don’t project to be. That doesn’t mean all he can do is shoot. It just means his shot is the only thing at that level. And I am happy his shooting is that high. We need that skill. I just don’t have the expectation that he is a 1st liner lock. I see him more as a second or third line guy, but I would lean toward second line and possibly at the higher end of those guys. I think if all goes right he could be a 1st liner. But he will need big jumps in other areas of his game for that to happen IMO.

I think his hands and offensive IQ are first line caliber. Really more than any individual skill you can point too, I just think he's the type of guy that you want playing with really talented playmakers like Thomas because he won't just benefit from playing with them, he'll even enhance their skillset with all the things he does.

 

[taylord22]

The narrative on Snuggy didn’t just start with the early season game, it dates back to last season, post WJC.

He wasn’t good. He looked tired, slow to the play and generally disinterested. That (large) dip in play was used as rationale for why he made a good decision to return, but, I know I along with a few others here and on the NCAA forum felt that was not a choice in his developments best interest. Personally, maybe it was the only choice.

His situation in Minnesota just isn’t as good, or conducive to development as what it might seem, IMO. Motzko’s priority is winning, and I haven’t been overly impressed with how he’s used and deployed Snuggy.

It’s a situation where -as a sniper- he’s too good for the NCAA, but as an all around hockey player, he’s not quite ready for the NHL. Which is kind of the same story it has been with him for awhile now. Comparatively, a player like Dvorsky is making much larger leaps in challenging himself.

I’m still optimistic Snuggy can be an impact player for this franchise, and potentially the partner Thomas has been waiting on. He’s good at virtually every facet of the game. I just don’t know that those facets have changed much over the last 1.5years.

 

[BlueMed]

The narrative on Snuggy didn’t just start with the early season game, it dates back to last season, post WJC.

He wasn’t good. He looked tired, slow to the play and generally disinterested. That (large) dip in play was used as rationale for why he made a good decision to return, but, I know I along with a few others here and on the NCAA forum felt that was not a choice in his developments best interest. Personally, maybe it was the only choice.

His situation in Minnesota just isn’t as good, or conducive to development as what it might seem, IMO. Motzko’s priority is winning, and I haven’t been overly impressed with how he’s used and deployed Snuggy.

It’s a situation where -as a sniper- he’s too good for the NCAA, but as an all around hockey player, he’s not quite ready for the NHL. Which is kind of the same story it has been with him for awhile now. Comparatively, a player like Dvorsky is making much larger leaps in challenging himself.

I’m still optimistic Snuggy can be an impact player for this franchise, and potentially the partner Thomas has been waiting on. He’s good at virtually every facet of the game. I just don’t know that those facets have changed much over the last 1.5years.

I also wish Snuggy would have explored more challenging options (e.g. AHL), but I'd just like to point out that much of a player's development is growing into his body and building strength, which will happen as he ages regardless of where is playing.