Thunderbirds 2024 25

[MortiestOfMortys]

There are 23 teams in the AHL playoffs. That's kind of wacky.

Looks like the T-Birds could play Providence Bruins in the first round, best of three.

It’s also wacky that they’ve played the PBruins 14 times this season. SPR is 8-6, so it should be a close series if it happens

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

It’s also wacky that they’ve played the PBruins 14 times this season. SPR is 8-6, so it should be a close series if it happens

It is always a good game of our goalie standing on his head. Fabian Lysell is one of the most fun players to watch in the AHL. The guy can fly and has some skill.

 

[execwrite1]

Injury report - not good



#14 Zach Dean
Week-to-Week

#19 Mackenzie MacEachern
Week-to-Week

#22 Dylan Peterson
Week-to-Week

#26 Simon Robertsson
Week-to-Week

 

[execwrite1]

Thunderbirds forward and captain Matthew Peca has been named to the AHL First All-Star Team.

In his 10th pro season at age 31, the T-Birds' second-year captain has had his finest year of his career. Entering play on April 17, Peca has posted career highs in goals (31) and points (63) while tying for the AHL lead in game-winning goals (8). His 63 points are tied for fifth-most in the league, as are his 31 goals.

 

[stl76]

Thunderbirds forward and captain Matthew Peca has been named to the AHL First All-Star Team.

In his 10th pro season at age 31, the T-Birds' second-year captain has had his finest year of his career. Entering play on April 17, Peca has posted career highs in goals (31) and points (63) while tying for the AHL lead in game-winning goals (8). His 63 points are tied for fifth-most in the league, as are his 31 goals.

Good for him! Seems like a good vet leader to keep around to help develop the kids.

 

[LGB]

 

[STL fan in MN]

Good that Dean is back. Hopefully he can help contribute and at least end the season on a good note. Anyone know what the injury was that’s made him miss almost the whole season?

 

[stl76]

Awesome to see Dean back. Looks like he had a goal and an assist on a Dvorsky goal in his return, good enough for 2nd star of the game in a losing effort.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

I have to be honest, I've kind of stopped projecting Dean onto the NHL roster in the future. It would be great if he forced the issue and made a place for himself....like as a 3C at some point.

 

[stl76]

I have to be honest, I've kind of stopped projecting Dean onto the NHL roster in the future. It would be great if he forced the issue and made a place for himself....like as a 3C at some point.

Haven't written him off completely yet, but I've always been worried about injuries with him given his size and the way he plays the game. Still hopeful he can adjust and carve out a bottom 6 role, but the clock is ticking and there is a group of younger Blues prospects starting to pass him/nip at his heels...

Nice new avy btw haha

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Haven't written him off completely yet, but I've always been worried about injuries with him given his size and the way he plays the game. Still hopeful he can adjust and carve out a bottom 6 role, but the clock is ticking and there is a group of younger Blues prospects starting to pass him/nip at his heels...

Nice new avy btw haha

I copied it as the playoff avatar from Highnote.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Haven't written him off completely yet, but I've always been worried about injuries with him given his size and the way he plays the game. Still hopeful he can adjust and carve out a bottom 6 role, but the clock is ticking and there is a group of younger Blues prospects starting to pass him/nip at his heels...

Nice new avy btw haha

If he was wing that might be true, but we don’t really have any other center prospects behind him.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Dean was in the right place at the right time last night. He played a solid game. He played a little tentative which I can't say I blame him. The rust will wear off. Springfield played a very veteran team that didn't give them a lot of time and space. Guys like Stenberg, Stancl, and Kaski have to play with a bit more passion I think and want to win the one on one battles more.

I can say that Dvorsky seemed a lot more deadly on the wing than he does at center. He nearly tied it, but rang the crossbar. He picked that shot and barely missed. Pretty impressive.

 

[stl76]

If he was wing that might be true, but we don’t really have any other center prospects behind him.

You sure Dean will stick at C? I’m not.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

You sure Dean will stick at C? I’m not.

He seems at least as likely to stick at center as any of our prospects.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

He seems at least as likely to stick at center as any of our prospects.

Wins a few faceoffs. Skates well enough

 

[execwrite1]

 

[STL fan in MN]

You sure Dean will stick at C? I’m not.

Why? Skates well, positions himself well, seems to have slightly above average hockey sense, does fine at faceoffs. Really no reason to not keep him at C really.

I’d like to see Dvorsky stay at C as well but I could very well see him being better at wing because of his bit below average footspeed. He’s good at faceoffs and smart though so my hope is he can adapt, pick up the pace a bit and stick at C. You can still be a quality C and be a little slow as we’ve seen with ROR. But it takes top notch hockey sense and effort.

 

[stl76]

Why? Skates well, positions himself well, seems to have slightly above average hockey sense, does fine at faceoffs. Really no reason to not keep him at C really.

Does he? Honest question, I can't find AHL faceoff data anywhere.

In 2020-21 in the QMJHL, Dean played 23 games, took 99 faceoffs, and was 30.3% on the dot. In 2021-22, Dean was listed as a RW. He played 47 games, took 573 faceoffs, and was 40.0% on the dot. In 2022-23, Dean played 50 games, took 965 faceoffs, and was 50.9% on the dot.

I suppose it's good he took more faceoffs and finally got above 50% on the dot in his final year, but those aren't exactly impressive numbers for that level in junior. Looks more like a winger who was trying to convert to C than a natural C IMO. Believe he played W at the 2023 WJC as well (not 100% sure but that's my best recollection).

So why not keep him at C? Dean's size and play style have always concerned me when it comes to injuries, and I don't think his size is a plus attribute for trying to stick at C. And playing C hasn't exactly been conducive to him producing big offensive numbers in the pros. I'm starting to think he might project best as a speedy pest bottom 6 winger.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Does he? Honest question, I can't find AHL faceoff data anywhere.

In 2020-21 in the QMJHL, Dean played 23 games, took 99 faceoffs, and was 30.3% on the dot. In 2021-22, Dean was listed as a RW. He played 47 games, took 573 faceoffs, and was 40.0% on the dot. In 2022-23, Dean played 50 games, took 965 faceoffs, and was 50.9% on the dot.

I suppose it's good he took more faceoffs and finally got above 50% on the dot in his final year, but those aren't exactly impressive numbers for that level in junior. Looks more like a winger who was trying to convert to C than a natural C IMO. Believe he played W at the 2023 WJC as well (not 100% sure but that's my best recollection).

So why not keep him at C? Dean's size and play style have always concerned me when it comes to injuries, and I don't think his size is a plus attribute for trying to stick at C. And playing C hasn't exactly been conducive to him producing big offensive numbers in the pros. I'm starting to think he might project best as a speedy pest bottom 6 winger.

You won’t ever find AHL faceoff stats unfortunately. Or ATOI. They refuse to release that data for whatever stupid reason.

But that’s a fair point that he was pretty average in faceoffs in Jrs. I didn’t notice him stinking up the joint last season but without the stats, I don’t really know how he’s been as a pro.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

You won’t ever find AHL faceoff stats unfortunately. Or ATOI. They refuse to release that data for whatever stupid reason.

But that’s a fair point that he was pretty average in faceoffs in Jrs. I didn’t notice him stinking up the joint last season but without the stats, I don’t really know how he’s been as a pro.

That’s something surprisingly that I pay attention to. Peca and McGing seem to take most of their difficult faceoffs. McGing is surprising good at it. Peca is above average. Dvo was good in juniors but hasn’t showed that yet in the AHL. Loses more than he wins. Dickinson isn’t that great either. Dean seems to win more than he loses anyway. Stenberg seems to have a knack for it. Kaski isn’t as good as I would expect being a former center. It seems some players don’t take much effort in the importance of where the puck goes win or lose a faceoff, if that makes sense. It is an art.

I hope Robert Thomas grabs Dvo and makes this a training thing. He has the hands for it

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

That’s something surprisingly that I pay attention to. Peca and McGing seem to take most of their difficult faceoffs. McGing is surprising good at it. Peca is above average. Dvo was good in juniors but hasn’t showed that yet in the AHL. Loses more than he wins. Dickinson isn’t that great either. Dean seems to win more than he loses anyway. Stenberg seems to have a knack for it. Kaski isn’t as good as I would expect being a former center. It seems some players don’t take much effort in the importance of where the puck goes win or lose a faceoff, if that makes sense. It is an art.

I hope Robert Thomas grabs Dvo and makes this a training thing. He has the hands for it

I’d imagine it’s an adjustment period for Dvo going from taking faceoffs against kids to older pros who’ve been around for much longer. Thomas was 42-44% his first 3 years in the league before really finding his footing on the dots. But it’s still definitely something for him to work hard on

 

[STL fan in MN]

That’s something surprisingly that I pay attention to. Peca and McGing seem to take most of their difficult faceoffs. McGing is surprising good at it. Peca is above average. Dvo was good in juniors but hasn’t showed that yet in the AHL. Loses more than he wins. Dickinson isn’t that great either. Dean seems to win more than he loses anyway. Stenberg seems to have a knack for it. Kaski isn’t as good as I would expect being a former center. It seems some players don’t take much effort in the importance of where the puck goes win or lose a faceoff, if that makes sense. It is an art.

I hope Robert Thomas grabs Dvo and makes this a training thing. He has the hands for it

Glad you’ve been paying attention and Dean is at least average at it.

I’ve noticed that too about Peca and McGing. Grizzled vets that know how to do it. That and them being shorter might actually help a bit, being stout and having a low center of gravity.

And yeah, it is absolutely an art. Faceoffs was pretty much the one area I excelled when I played and recall studying and practicing it a ton*. Heck, even had the AA coach in HS tell me the only reason I made AA was my faceoffs, defensive ability and I was a PITA to play against. Guess I made for an excellent 3C while the kids with a bit more talent torched the A league.

*I was good at faceoffs for youth travel hockey and lower level college club hockey. NHLers and AHLers would obviously easily destroy me and steal my lunch money lol.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Reminder that the T-Birds start their playoff series with Providence tomorrow.

I knew the AHL playoff bracket was crazy but didn’t realize each Division got to pick their own playoff format!