Otto Stenberg

[Old_Goat]

Could Stenberg potentially be a good Checking/Third Line Centerman, with the ultimate goal the Third Line? Almost a slightly less-skilled version of Peter Forsberg? It seems that Sunqvist and Faksa are approaching the end of the line...if the answer is yes, when is a reasonable expectation for the time/season that could be realized?
(Understand the expectation that Dvorsky eventually would be a Top-2 Centerman, possibly playing some wing in the beginning as he learns & develops...the challenge being to not overload too soon with young inexperience players at once.)

[SameOldBlues]

A slightly less skilled version of Forsberg?? Lol

[a smell of green grass]

When they drafted Stenberg, I thought I heard that that was the plan. He was going to Center some line.

However, the word on the street in the minor leagues is that he is not a fit for Center. Doesn't have the tools, etc. I believe that that plan blew up more than a year ago.

Unfortunately, the Center position on the Blues is staffed like many other critical positions. They find and hire the guy about 2 months before the report date--kind of like staffing for Ted Drewes.

Some of these Ted Drewes hires work out (Fowler), but for every Fowler, they bring in 4 that you wish you never saw.

[TBone]

When they drafted Stenberg, I thought I heard that that was the plan. He was going to Center some line.

However, the word on the street in the minor leagues is that he is not a fit for Center. Doesn't have the tools, etc. I believe that that plan blew up more than a year ago.

Unfortunately, the Center position on the Blues is staffed like many other critical positions. They find and hire the guy about 2 months before the report date--kind of like staffing for Ted Drewes.

Some of these Ted Drewes hires work out (Fowler), but for every Fowler, they bring in 4 that you wish you never saw.

Radek Faksa has entered the chat...

[a smell of green grass]

When they drafted Stenberg, I thought I heard that that was the plan. He was going to Center some line.

However, the word on the street in the minor leagues is that he is not a fit for Center. Doesn't have the tools, etc. I believe that that plan blew up more than a year ago.

Unfortunately, the Center position on the Blues is staffed like many other critical positions. They find and hire the guy about 2 months before the report date--kind of like staffing for Ted Drewes.

Some of these Ted Drewes hires work out (Fowler), but for every Fowler, they bring in 4 that you wish you never saw.

Radek Faksa has entered the chat...

Texier would enter the chat, but he is injured...

[noted]

Could Stenberg potentially be a good Checking/Third Line Centerman, with the ultimate goal the Third Line? Almost a slightly less-skilled version of Peter Forsberg? It seems that Sunqvist and Faksa are approaching the end of the line...if the answer is yes, when is a reasonable expectation for the time/season that could be realized?
(Understand the expectation that Dvorsky eventually would be a Top-2 Centerman, possibly playing some wing in the beginning as he learns & develops...the challenge being to not overload too soon with young inexperience players at once.)

Stenberg doesn’t play center

[STL fan in MN]

Stenberg is a LW. A Swiss Army knife sort of one that has the tools and intangibles to play up and down the lineup. Think Alex Steen. That sort of player. Skilled but not elite skill. Works hard, drives to the net, very good on tips/deflections, high compete level, good along the boards, high hockey sense, defensively responsible etc. Plays a winning brand of hockey. But not a center.

The prospect with the best odds of eventually being our 3C longterm would be Dean. Some skill but brings all of the intangibles needed to be a quality bottom-6 player. Plus speed, defensively responsible etc.

More short term, the prospect that I could see play 3C would be Dvorsky. His future is more in the top-6 but I could absolutely see him playing his first couple seasons as the 3C to shelter him a bit as he learns and adjusts to the league.

[a smell of green grass]

Regarding when he could most likely appear in the NHL, the last I heard was that Armstrong was guessing 2027. So he won't be filling in at any position next year.

[STL fan in MN]

Regarding when he could most likely appear in the NHL, the last I heard was that Armstrong was guessing 2027. So he won't be filling in at any position next year.

Correct. He’s 19. Will be 20 when training camp breaks. So no, very unlikely to break into the NHL next season. Bolduc is 2+ years older and just finished his first full NHL season.

My guess for Otto would be:

2025-26: in the AHL, maybe a cup of coffee in the NHL if he’s excellent and we have injury needs
2926-27: bouncing back and forth between NHL and AHL 50/50
2027-28: in the NHL in a limited/sheltered role. Similar to what Bolduc was this season.
2028-29: in the NHL and growing. Outside chance he has a Holloway-like breakout
2029-30: starting to settle into the beginning of his prime years.

[callitwhatyouwant]

Regarding when he could most likely appear in the NHL, the last I heard was that Armstrong was guessing 2027. So he won't be filling in at any position next year.

Correct. He’s 19. Will be 20 when training camp breaks. So no, very unlikely to break into the NHL next season. Bolduc is 2+ years older and just finished his first full NHL season.

My guess for Otto would be:

2025-26: in the AHL, maybe a cup of coffee in the NHL if he’s excellent and we have injury needs
2926-27: bouncing back and forth between NHL and AHL 50/50
2027-28: in the NHL in a limited/sheltered role. Similar to what Bolduc was this season.
2028-29: in the NHL and growing. Outside chance he has a Holloway-like breakout
2029-30: starting to settle into the beginning of his prime years.

I heard stenberg is punching above his weight in every space he has shown up. surprises people with how disciplined he is as a player. I think people view him as a 3c or winger of hte future. Dean was reportedly the one before injury that was a plug him 4c and he would be good today.

[Harry S Deals]

Kaskimaki is 21 i think we will see Kaskimaki in the NHL first certainly before Otto. This is a dark horse player to keep an eye, very good skater, very tenacious. I watched a handful of Tbirds games online and each time i found myself looking up who was wearing #41? Top 9 checker with some skill potential and we need a good Finn or two

[STL fan in MN]

Kaskimaki is 21 i think we will see Kaskimaki in the NHL first certainly before Otto. This is a dark horse player to keep an eye, very good skater, very tenacious. I watched a handful of Tbirds games online and each time i found myself looking up who was wearing #41? Top 9 checker with some skill potential and we need a good Finn or two

He’s good. A bit less skill than Otto but his speed is in the range of Kyrou/Holloway. Tenacious, goes to the net. Was a top offense guy in Jrs but has done an excellent job of rounding out his game. I think he realized his path to the NHL likely wasn’t in a top-6 role and he’s adapted his game to be a 3rd line type very well. I still see him mostly being in the AHL next season but he absolutely has NHL 3rd liner with speed written all over him. Which is excellent for a 3rd rd pick. A year and a few months older than Otto so yeah, he’s looking a tad closer to the NHL IMO.

[Old_Goat]

A slightly less skilled version of Forsberg?? Lol

Fair enough. I should have said simply less-skilled. I was focusing more-so on the physically intense & disruptive style of play that I have heard reports about. That was an important part of Forsberg's game, but obviously his overall ability & skill put him in the 1C position versus 3C.
And for another poster, my bad for not realizing they have him playing Left Wing...I just recalled when he was drafted and the scouting profiles had him as a Center.
Thanks for pointing that out.

[Blue Sabbath]

Stenberg is a LW. A Swiss Army knife sort of one that has the tools and intangibles to play up and down the lineup. Think Alex Steen. That sort of player. Skilled but not elite skill. Works hard, drives to the net, very good on tips/deflections, high compete level, good along the boards, high hockey sense, defensively responsible etc. Plays a winning brand of hockey. But not a center.

The prospect with the best odds of eventually being our 3C longterm would be Dean. Some skill but brings all of the intangibles needed to be a quality bottom-6 player. Plus speed, defensively responsible etc.

More short term, the prospect that I could see play 3C would be Dvorsky. His future is more in the top-6 but I could absolutely see him playing his first couple seasons as the 3C to shelter him a bit as he learns and adjusts to the league.

Correct me if I"m wrong but he sounds like he might be Jake Neighbors 2.0.

[SameOldBlues]

A slightly less skilled version of Forsberg?? Lol

Fair enough. I should have said simply less-skilled. I was focusing more-so on the physically intense & disruptive style of play that I have heard reports about. That was an important part of Forsberg's game, but obviously his overall ability & skill put him in the 1C position versus 3C.
And for another poster, my bad for not realizing they have him playing Left Wing...I just recalled when he was drafted and the scouting profiles had him as a Center.
Thanks for pointing that out.

Its all good and I wasnt trying to ridicule ya or anything, I just remember how completely dominant Forsberg was back in the day before injuries unfortunately hurt his game, and there’s not many who Id consider even Forsberg light, but I get what ya mean.

[STL fan in MN]

Stenberg is a LW. A Swiss Army knife sort of one that has the tools and intangibles to play up and down the lineup. Think Alex Steen. That sort of player. Skilled but not elite skill. Works hard, drives to the net, very good on tips/deflections, high compete level, good along the boards, high hockey sense, defensively responsible etc. Plays a winning brand of hockey. But not a center.

The prospect with the best odds of eventually being our 3C longterm would be Dean. Some skill but brings all of the intangibles needed to be a quality bottom-6 player. Plus speed, defensively responsible etc.

More short term, the prospect that I could see play 3C would be Dvorsky. His future is more in the top-6 but I could absolutely see him playing his first couple seasons as the 3C to shelter him a bit as he learns and adjusts to the league.

Correct me if I"m wrong but he sounds like he might be Jake Neighbors 2.0.

Not a horrible comparison as there’s a lot of similarities. But I’d say Stenberg is a touch more skilled while Neighbours is an inch taller. Stenberg is more of a pest/shift disturber while Neighbours is more of a standard lunchpail type. Stenberg is always yapping, trying to get under the opposition’s skin. Stenberg’s the better playmaker with a bit better hockey sense. Neighbours will lay more checks. Both are very good in front of the net. I’ve noticed Stenberg is particularly good at tips/deflections. I doubt he’ll be able to match Neighbours’ 18% shooting % though.