Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[LGB]

“If/when Snuggerud signs, it’ll be the same thing as Dvorsky,” Montgomery said before the signing was announced. “We brought him up to get acclimated to how we play, what’s it like to practice, to play a game, to get ready for a game, just to be a pro, to be a Blue and get him acclimated as soon as we could.”

 

[BlueDream]

I’d love to see Snuggerud in 88, that’d be a sick number for him.

Exciting times. Even if he doesn’t play every game, adding his shot and skill to the roster as a depth piece is very nice for us. We are deep.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I would imagine if we get a playoff spot locked up with some games left we’ll see him play.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

Seems to be an unpopular opinion here but I think we see him Tuesday against Detroit most likely. If he doesn't make a meaningful impact I suspect they'll scratch him after like Dvorsky and let him get more acclimated with the team.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Based on Monty's quotes, I bet he only plays before a playoff spot is clinched if injuries force it.

 

[Spektre]

Seems to be an unpopular opinion here but I think we see him Tuesday against Detroit most likely. If he doesn't make a meaningful impact I suspect they'll scratch him after like Dvorsky and let him get more acclimated with the team.

I’m reading between invisible lines and thinking the Blues brass see Snuggerud as NHL ready. I expect him to play every game. I also won’t be shocked if he plays with Thomas.

Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Joseph Sundqvist Bolduc
Toro Faksa Walker

I hope Dvorsky gets more looks in Sunny’s spot.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

I might be mistaken, but I don't think we've even seen AK in a prospect camp yet, have we? He's a complete darkhorse for me.

He could easily be the best D prospect we have, but I would have no real way of knowing. He's in the same class as Lindstein and Ralph, where they're (probably) going to be primarily defensive defensemen, but there's at least some evidence to suspect they might contribute more offensively in a different situation than the one they're currently in. With Lindstein and Ralph, at least we get/got to see them at WJCs. I've maybe seen one clip a year of Koromyslov since we drafted him.

It looks like his contract is through May 31, 2026, so I guess it's possible we see him after that.

He has been to prospect camp. Watching him live, there wasn’t much difference between him and Burns quite frankly. Put a gun to my head on which I like more/who is better and I’m a dead man.

So no, he’s not even close to the best defenseman the Blues have. But he still has NHL ability. But, and my biggest problem with the likes of Koromyslov, Burns, Paul Fischer, and ill throw Matt Kessel into this group as well, is that I don’t see much in the way of what can keep them in the NHL. Having the ability to make the NHL is far different than having the ability to stay in the NHL. I see adept skill but nothing worth noting. All are still fine players, but all are destined for the bottom pair or 7th man.

Still, they can all surprise. I’d be more willing to package them in larger deals for better players personally. Or exactly what we did with Paul Fischer.

 

[Beauterham]

I’m reading between invisible lines and thinking the Blues brass see Snuggerud as NHL ready. I expect him to play every game. I also won’t be shocked if he plays with Thomas.

Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Joseph Sundqvist Bolduc
Toro Faksa Walker

I hope Dvorsky gets more looks in Sunny’s spot.

Neighbours?

 

[BlueMed]

I’m reading between invisible lines and thinking the Blues brass see Snuggerud as NHL ready. I expect him to play every game. I also won’t be shocked if he plays with Thomas.

Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Joseph Sundqvist Bolduc
Toro Faksa Walker

I hope Dvorsky gets more looks in Sunny’s spot.

You forgot about Neighbours. I'd also be a little bit surprised if Snuggerud got more top 6 minutes than Bolduc, unless there is instant chemistry with Thomas.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

It’s like when you get a new cat, and you have to keep it in a closed room for a few days so your other cat gets used to the new smell. Snuggy and Dvorsky aren’t ready to be full-time house cats yet, but it’s good to get them used to the scent.

 

[Spektre]

Neighbours?

You forgot about Neighbours. I'd also be a little bit surprised if Snuggerud got more top 6 minutes than Bolduc, unless there is instant chemistry with Thomas.

Well I’m still waiting on my State Farm adjuster from the tornado so Neighbors has to wait

Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbors Sundqvist Bolduc
Toro Faksa Walker

I still like the idea of Dvorsky > Sunny by a mile

 

[rumrokh]

Minny vs UMass was an entertaining game. Gotta be honest though, even though Jimmy had 2 goals I wasn't all that impressed by his game. Low compete level and lost several physical battles, not much creativity in setting up teammates other than flinging the puck through the crease for a tip/deflection. Then on that OT game winner he gets stuck playing D and got burned. I know it's not his strong suit but for a sudden death situation I'd like to see more effort. His obvious responsibility is the guy going far side and he doesn't do much but a 1 handed stick check to stop the back door tap in...

He's going to be an obvious powerplay threat but I worry about his 5v5 effectiveness and ability to play in both zones. I forsee a lot of benchings early in his career.

Among any and all fair criticisms, I don't think effort was an issue on the goal against. You can see him trying to read a weird play with layers of guys coming at him and still getting very close to right. The puck comes fast and he's just a bit out of position, so he does about the quickest stick swipe he can. It just looks awkward because he's trying to be in the right spot and also read the play as a defenseman. Once that puck comes, there's no amount of Ryan Johnson flailing he can do to endear himself to an observer that will actually help. Positioning is the issue rather than effort.

 

[MissouriMook]

Well I’m still waiting on my State Farm adjuster from the tornado so Neighbors has to wait

Buchnevich Thomas Snuggerud
Holloway Schenn Kyrou
Neighbors Sundqvist Bolduc
Toro Faksa Walker

I still like the idea of Dvorsky > Sunny by a mile

I’d be fine giving Sunny another game or two off down the stretch. Scratch Joseph, Texier and Sunny and slide Dvorsky in at 3C. I’d be ok doing that against Detroit or Pittsburgh next week.

 

[Beninnola]

Seems to be an unpopular opinion here but I think we see him Tuesday against Detroit most likely. If he doesn't make a meaningful impact I suspect they'll scratch him after like Dvorsky and let him get more acclimated with the team.

I always feel they should get them in asap - even if it’s just the 1 familiarization game. Preferably at home too, so you can really emphasize the protection in lineup.

I like the wings game you’ve suggested. Then as many practices as the season allows and games if the injury situation forces it, or games when the coaching group decides he’s the best choice - which presumably won’t be this season.

If you don’t force the initial game - go out of your way to make it happen on your terms - then injuries force the situation, you may not get the matchups, linemates or opponent you want, you may have to throw your boy to the wolves, maybe isn’t a way to lay a good foundation.

It’ll be easy to protect a single scoring winger in a game. Dvo has the tougher path.

 

[stl76]

It’s like when you get a new cat, and you have to keep it in a closed room for a few days so your other cat gets used to the new smell. Snuggy and Dvorsky aren’t ready to be full-time house cats yet, but it’s good to get them used to the scent.

I, for one, hope Snuggerud is a dawg.

 

[PeoriaBlues309]

What number does he take? 81 is already taken.

I kinda hope he takes 91. 88 would also be cool as someone else mentioned, but it would be iconic to me to have our next great sniper wearing the same number as our last one.

I would also imagine with him being 20 years old that Vladi would be the first player he thought of when you’d mention the Blues pre us drafting him.

 

[MissouriMook]

I kinda hope he takes 91. 88 would also be cool as someone else mentioned, but it would be iconic to me to have our next great sniper have the same number as our last one.

I was going to say that certain numbers like 19, 27 and 91 are probably not available for future retirement, but then I remembered that they let Saad have 20 and Kapanen have 42, so who knows.

 

[PeoriaBlues309]

I was going to say that certain numbers like 19, 27 and 91 are probably not available for future retirement, but then I remembered that they let Saad have 20 and Kapanen have 42, so who knows.

Yeah not only did Kappy have 42, so did Del Zotto during our Cup run lol.

I’m also curious if Vladi would get his number retired with the trade request and everything.

You’d think he would with him being our most popular player for almost a decade and being a Cup winner, but you never know.

 

[LGB]

I like 88

 

[PeoriaBlues309]

I like 88

Forgot to mention it in the previous post, but you’d have to think that’s in the realm of possibility with him being an American, and Kane being the most popular player for our country for basically his entire childhood.

 

[BlueDream]

I was going to say that certain numbers like 19, 27 and 91 are probably not available for future retirement, but then I remembered that they let Saad have 20 and Kapanen have 42, so who knows.

I’m gonna say it, I think it would be ridiculous if we retired all of those numbers. The only one I’d consider retiring would be 27 maybe, but not the others.

IMO if we start retiring all those numbers then it completely dilutes the significance and meaning of the entire practice in the first place. It should be saved for very special circumstances, not just a player being really good for a handful of years.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

If you’re gonna retire a number from the “Cup era,” I think it might have to be 55 unless Petro comes back to the organization later in some capacity

 

[TruBlueFan1970]

“If/when Snuggerud signs, it’ll be the same thing as Dvorsky,” Montgomery said before the signing was announced. “We brought him up to get acclimated to how we play, what’s it like to practice, to play a game, to get ready for a game, just to be a pro, to be a Blue and get him acclimated as soon as we could.”

So he’ll get one game and then sit. Jist kidding, but I’m guessing unless we clinch a spot or somebody gets hurt that he practices more than he plays.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Glad Snuggy is officially signed. I’d like to see him get into a game or two before the season is up but completely agree with Monty that he should stick with the horses that got them here.

Don’t see Snuggy as fully NHL ready anyway. But if they want to insert him or Dvorsky to give a guy one night off here and there then that’s good too.

Give pretty much zero sh!ts what # he chooses. Just never been something I think much about.

 

[Memento]

Pietrangelo's number is the only one I'd consider retiring. Yes, he left for Vegas, but he was the captain of the most successful Blues season as of yet and played a huge role for us in the Cup win. He's also the only one of that Blues team - and maybe O'Reilly - coming close to being a Hall of Famer, and those are the only numbers I'd want to retire.