Prospect Info: Blues 2023-2024 Prospect Thread

[Blanick]

I don't see any reason to not have Lindstein and Stenberg at camp this year. Let them work with the coaches (whomever they may be) and players. Familiarize themselves with the organization and give them a taste before assigning them back to Sweden.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I don't see any reason to not have Lindstein and Stenberg at camp this year. Let them work with the coaches (whomever they may be) and players. Familiarize themselves with the organization and give them a taste before assigning them back to Sweden.

Because it would screw up that exact same familiarization process for their Swedish team. The one they’ll be playing on all year.

It’s doable. It happens. There’s pros to it but there’s also cons of them missing part/all of their camp there as well as the beginning of their season there.

 

[Blueston]

Because it would screw up that exact same familiarization process for their Swedish team. The one they’ll be playing on all year.

It’s doable. It happens. There’s pros to it but there’s also cons of them missing part/all of their camp there as well as the beginning of their season there.

Yeah, since they have almost no chance to make club it probably doesn't make sense to keep them out of their Swedish camps. The following year I would expect we want both in NA for camp, as spending the 25-26 season in NA seems like logical step. we can always assign them back home if we feel ahl ain't best route at any point, but next year in shl and following year here is likely the anticipated path for both.

 

[TK 421]

It would actively disrupt their development to be here in the fall for training camp (UNLESS you're committed to a NA season of development), remember we're talking about European kids on a European schedule that starts a good bit before NA training camps. Not sure how long exactly but sufficed to say that combined with a missed opportunity to solidify their own roster spot and be with their teammates on their eventual team they are then put significantly behind schedule in returning home and developing on ice.

They'll get all their meet and greets and interviews with trainers and specialists in prospect camp this summer and can ride go carts with Snuggles. The Blues marketing people seem to have at least half a brain these days so they'll go for the obvious move and mike up PR expert Jake Neighbours to trot them around town with a film crew doing STL stuff.

 

[Damian Frerker]

Does Pekarcik have more upside than Torpchenko? just thinking where he might fit in down the road?

 

[STL fan in MN]

Does Pekarcik have more upside than Torpchenko? just thinking where he might fit in down the road?

In terms of skill? Absolutely. In terms of impact? TBD. Torpo isn’t very skilled but he brings other things that help him make an impact. TBD what Pekarcik will bring in the pro game.

 

[Mike Liut]

from what I’ve seen, Pakarcik is tenacious, very good passer, high motor, physical, can chip in some goals. He’s legit from what I’ve seen.

 

[execwrite1]

Great move by the Blues moving the AHL franchise to Springfield. Rock solid development base for the youngsters.

This season, the T-Birds saw an average of 93.1% of all seats filled inside the MassMutual Center, the highest average attendance to capacity in the AHL's Eastern Conference and second-highest in the league. Such successes in filling the arena directly led to the Thunderbirds' corporate sales department reaching new heights.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Does Pekarcik have more upside than Torpchenko? just thinking where he might fit in down the road?

I would say yes. I've seen quite a few games. He can be inconsistent like every junior player. He did battle some injuries. When he is on, he is hard after the puck, plays the body, and has a gift for making a solid pass forehand or backhand. He often played out by the point on the power play just for the purpose of setting up one time passes. Dubuque has a defender and a winger that are pretty good at shooting off of one timers. Pekarcik had a ton of assists because of it. As a Blues fan, I can see him playing with Dvorsky as he excels at giving accurate flat one time passes (to Mr. Short Side) and his skating and puck pursuit would make up for Dvorsky's okay skating. He will get the puck and win board battles. He could just end up being a bottom six banger with some playmaking ability. I like his game.

 

[Mike Liut]

With Bolduc and Dean getting a taste of the NHL, do you expect them to take another step each? I was very impressed with both.

 

[ezcreepin]

With Bolduc and Dean getting a taste of the NHL, do you expect them to take another step each? I was very impressed with both.

I'm hesitant to say Dean will secure a spot during training camp, but I can't see a scenario where Bolduc isn't starting with the team come October. Everything he did was very impressive for a player as young as he is and comparing what was said about him the previous year (and 2023 training camp), I was even more impressed. I think his overall awareness on the ice is sneaky good, he makes the simple play instead of doing too much, he clearly has offensive skill as shown towards the end of the season, and defensively he was significantly better than what I expected. Provided he doesn't take a massive step back, I think he has every chance to lose a top 9 spot this year.

 

[BlueDream]

It’s pretty imperative they take another step come training camp and yes, I expect it from both.

I agree that Bolduc will likely have a top 9 spot. If he trains hard this summer and adds more strength, he could really be something to watch next season. He looked good and I’m excited to see his progress.

Dean, similar thing. He needs to add some muscle this summer and will have a great chance to grab that 4C spot. Even if Sundqvist is back by the start of the season, you gotta wonder how much the Blues will really want to play him at center. He’s coming off a major injury, so that spot could be Dean’s for the taking if he plays with the energy that the coaching staff wants him to.

 

[BadgersandBlues]

I would 100% much rather have Dean in Springfield then as our 4C next year. The kid has offensive skills, but they need some more time to develop. I don't want him to start with a mindset of being a 4th line grinder. I'd start him in the top 6 in Springfield and make it clear to him that we want to see him driving offense while playing tough matchups against opposing teams. The kid is a former 1st round pick, just because he's more advanced on the defensive side of the puck doesn't mean we should simply slot him in as a bottom 6 type and ask him to play a grinding game with the Toropchenko's of the world.

 

[ezcreepin]

I would 100% much rather have Dean in Springfield then as our 4C next year. The kid has offensive skills, but they need some more time to develop. I don't want him to start with a mindset of being a 4th line grinder. I'd start him in the top 6 in Springfield and make it clear to him that we want to see him driving offense while playing tough matchups against opposing teams. The kid is a former 1st round pick, just because he's more advanced on the defensive side of the puck doesn't mean we should simply slot him in as a bottom 6 type and ask him to play a grinding game with the Toropchenko's of the world.

Don't necessarily agree or disagree with what you're saying. As you said, it's important to note that he was a 1st round pick and does have offensive skill along with good two-way play, but you don't want to relegate him to the 4th line for his career if he has potential other places. On one hand, I think it's a smarter decision to start him in Springfield and let him develop his game as the top center on that team, however I don't think him playing on the 4th line is going to kill his offensive potential. We've seen it with lots of young players in the league, you start them on the 4th line and let them learn to grind out possession and puck battles, and slowly open them up to more offensive chances on the 3rd and potentially 2nd line. I think if he earns a 4th line role, then let him go at it. But if he slows down, then you can let him adjust in the AHL then bring him back up. I think there is enough offense on the bottom lines that you can get him 20 ish points which is perfectly fine for a 21 year old. Honestly, it's really up to him if he's ready or not; I think he'll make the Blues' decision for them.

 

[BlueDream]

Don't necessarily agree or disagree with what you're saying. As you said, it's important to note that he was a 1st round pick and does have offensive skill along with good two-way play, but you don't want to relegate him to the 4th line for his career if he has potential other places. On one hand, I think it's a smarter decision to start him in Springfield and let him develop his game as the top center on that team, however I don't think him playing on the 4th line is going to kill his offensive potential. We've seen it with lots of young players in the league, you start them on the 4th line and let them learn to grind out possession and puck battles, and slowly open them up to more offensive chances on the 3rd and potentially 2nd line. I think if he earns a 4th line role, then let him go at it. But if he slows down, then you can let him adjust in the AHL then bring him back up. I think there is enough offense on the bottom lines that you can get him 20 ish points which is perfectly fine for a 21 year old. Honestly, it's really up to him if he's ready or not; I think he'll make the Blues' decision for them.

This is where I’m at too.

I can see both sides and don’t have a huge preference on where he starts. But playing on the 4th line didn’t hinder guys like Neighbours and Barbashev, and those are the types that I view as having similar games as Dean. I’d be more than happy if he goes the Barbashev route and becomes a really effective bottom 6’er before he eventually blossoms more offensively. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Celtic Note]

I would 100% much rather have Dean in Springfield then as our 4C next year. The kid has offensive skills, but they need some more time to develop. I don't want him to start with a mindset of being a 4th line grinder. I'd start him in the top 6 in Springfield and make it clear to him that we want to see him driving offense while playing tough matchups against opposing teams. The kid is a former 1st round pick, just because he's more advanced on the defensive side of the puck doesn't mean we should simply slot him in as a bottom 6 type and ask him to play a grinding game with the Toropchenko's of the world.

I was just thinking of writing this. Dean needs time to develop his offensive game. I think he will develop better if we are patient and he gets AHL time.

Conversely, Bolduc already had a strong offensive game and can continue to round out his defensive game, which I find easier to do at the NHL level.

 

[Celtic Note]

This is where I’m at too.

I can see both sides and don’t have a huge preference on where he starts. But playing on the 4th line didn’t hinder guys like Neighbours and Barbashev, and those are the types that I view as having similar games as Dean. I’d be more than happy if he goes the Barbashev route and becomes a really effective bottom 6’er before he eventually blossoms more offensively. Nothing wrong with that.

Barbashev also had plenty of time marinating in the AHL (a full, a half and a partial season).

 

[STL fan in MN]

Hadn’t noticed this from a few days ago:

Landon Sim suspended 5 games

Apparently he said something inappropriate to an official or opposing player.

I didn’t think the Blues were going to sign him by June 1st to keep his rights anyway but this certainly won’t help his cause either.

London ended up winning the series the next night and will play Oshawa in the OHL championship starting tomorrow night.

 

[Damian Frerker]

watching boston and florida and it’s awesome but do our up and comers have this kind of game in them? it’s intense. i think we desperately need some sand paper

 

[SirPaste]

Hadn’t noticed this from a few days ago:

Landon Sim suspended 5 games

Apparently he said something inappropriate to an official or opposing player.

I didn’t think the Blues were going to sign him by June 1st to keep his rights anyway but this certainly won’t help his cause either.

London ended up winning the series the next night and will play Oshawa in the OHL championship starting tomorrow night.

This incident aside, I am curious as to why you didn't think we would sign him to keep his rights? I haven't watched him a ton but he seems to bring an energetic, physical brand of hockey that is missing in the pipeline and has a chance be a decent 4th liner someday down the road.

 

[ezcreepin]

This incident aside, I am curious as to why you didn't think we would sign him to keep his rights? I haven't watched him a ton but he seems to bring an energetic, physical brand of hockey that is missing in the pipeline and has a chance be a decent 4th liner someday down the road.

I guess it would depend what he said to get suspended. I don't how bad something you say has to be to get 5 games, but if it's a slur of any sort then Blues probably avoid that. If he made a physical threat? Idk, that could go either way, but plenty of NHL players make threats that aren't meant to be taken literally. Not saying it's right, but I think quite a few clubs would brush that aside. Hard to know without more information.

 

[STL fan in MN]

This incident aside, I am curious as to why you didn't think we would sign him to keep his rights? I haven't watched him a ton but he seems to bring an energetic, physical brand of hockey that is missing in the pipeline and has a chance be a decent 4th liner someday down the road.

Because he hasn’t really progressed much.

Another clue is…they haven’t signed him yet. They have 23 days to do so. If they were going to sign him, I would’ve expected it to have happened by now.

But maybe there will be a last minute signing. I just don’t think he has good odds though.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Never expected him to be signed. Iirc his dad works for the Blues and it always felt like a favor to his dad as a late round draft pick

 

[ezcreepin]

Because he hasn’t really progressed much.

Another clue is…they haven’t signed him yet. They have 23 days to do so. If they were going to sign him, I would’ve expected it to have happened by now.

But maybe there will be a last minute signing. I just don’t think he has good odds though.

Now I know this is a big long shot, but he did impress at the prospects camp when he was here and he could (slim shot) have a Marchment-like rise as he gets older. He clearly plays an important role for London and seems content doing that. He has skill and apparently sandpaper. Maybe the Blues are doing their due diligence with him to see what the real issue is and that's why they've deferred to sign him at the moment.

I couldn't find any info yet about what exactly was said, but he violated a rule or code of the diversity program and also body checked someone during warm up. For the first offense, like I said, it could actually be an issue that I don't want on this team if it is targeted harassment or a racial remark. Someone hypothesized Sim referred to Hache as soft but used a different word (I'll let you infer). If he truly did call them "soft", then I personally don't really find that a big deal. The second offense is whatever. Sure, don't engage with the opposing team during warm up, but that is far and away the least of my issues with a player who is in the playoffs.

 

[SirPaste]

Because he hasn’t really progressed much.

Another clue is…they haven’t signed him yet. They have 23 days to do so. If they were going to sign him, I would’ve expected it to have happened by now.

But maybe there will be a last minute signing. I just don’t think he has good odds though.

Fair enough, I remember him having a big injury and missing about half a season, I thought it was interesting he came to St Louis to get the surgery. I guess I just always figured they would sign him and see how he did in the AHL/ECHL as a 4th line energy guy who liked to throw his fists around as well. Oh well, I guess we will see what they do this month but no big loss either way.