Just spitballin'

[the miracle]

I just read Korac's recent article on Dvorsky and it was a very glowing report, but also realistic that with Suter and Bjugstad in the fold it will be a tough climb for Dvorsky to make the roster this year. Got me wondering, if you assume:
- Dvorsky earns a spot in training camp and is clearly one of the 9 best forwards the Blues have
- The Blues are intent on starting him at center and not on the wing
Is Suter the type of player who could hold down 2C for the Blues, or does he track more as 3C guy? I'd think either he or Schenn would be the one moving to the wing, since it seems Bjugstad is probably the 4C?

NGL though - a Holloway - Dvorsky - Kyrou line seems intriguing.

[hockey jedi]

From what I am reading from trusted authors, Suter as second line center and Dvo as third line center is the plan to start the season. This could change if Dvo doesn't perform well to start the season, or if Dvo is clearly the second best center and they more Suter down to third line. Third line is a good place to start for Dvo so that he can understand the defensive responsibilities that go with being an NHL center and he's playing against the 7-9 forward group of the opposition. Also, if Suter comes on like Adam Oates (wishful thinking), then the Blues would probably leave him at 2C.

[STL fan in MN]

Theoretically, either Suter or Schenn could be moved to wing. Same with Bjugstad. He’s probably better at RW than C anyway.

So yes, there’s a path for Dvorsky to make the team at C. Just not a very likely one IMO.

There’s also a path for Dvorsky to make the team at wing. I’d have no issue starting him out at LW and then transitioning him back to C in a year or so. Not sure I’d call this path likely but probably moreso than him beating out others to take a top-9 C spot.

His best shot though would come if one of the current top-9 gets injured in preseason/camp. That’d really open up an opportunity for him.

That said, I just want to see how well he does in preseason first. My gut thought is he could use a little more AHL time first but I expect him to play a solid part of this season in the NHL. Whether it’ll be later in the season or Day 1, I guess we’ll find out.

[hockey jedi]

I like the idea of making players really earn it. I'm anxious to get Dvo with the big club, but I want to handle this carefully. The kid has played in five different leagues in the past three years, so that is multiple coaches in his head and multiple systems. He did very well last year in Springfield production-wise, but I would like to see him dominate for a month or two at the AHL level. Examples would be getting ppg in bunches.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I could be totally wrong but I don't see him being a very effective NHL center until he is able to play at a higher tempo/pace. I'm not talking about a huge leap, but he's going to have to pick it up a bit. Again I know I might be wrong, but I think the only reason why he didn't stand out more in the 2 prospects games is because his pace was just average vs that level of players ... which was noticeably slower than NHL pace.

[DawgDad]

There are so many potential scenarios it's mind-boggling. Camp will be very interesting. Thoughts:

Suter and Bjugstad provide a ton of line flexibility. Are they really bent on moving Schenn to wing? Is Suter really a better 2C option? I'd have to see that. I do believe Dvorsky is on the cusp, and I'd give him a look at center in camp. Lacks experience but a talent upgrade, and he seems to be defensively responsible if not polished. His presence at center would multiply the line combination possibilities.

I can also see Dvorsky NOT making the team out of camp. Mainly because the Blues don't need him, also for them to first see how the veterans and Snuggerud mesh.

We know DD can play with top prospects and excel, a world class Junior player. He had a solid AHL season. What we do not know is if he is ready to hang with top NHL players and stand up to the grind of a long season, make the necessary adjustments. It's time to see where he's at, I'm sure they'll take a hard look at him in camp. I have a hard time believing he couldn't provide what they got out of Bolduc.

[Old_Goat]

Thomas started out on the wing.
If Dvorsky is one of the best top nine forwards at either center or at wing while also being one of the top 3 centers, then he'll play center. If not, but still one of the top 6 wingers, then he'll start at wing. If none of that, as the injuries or his play in the AHL shows that he is ready to step in, he is likely to be called asap.
The competition for spots and the depth is such a nice thing for the Blues...it's been awhile. Excellent management has given us options as well as cap space if needed. Do we have the best players? -- No. Do we have balance and a lot of really good players & prospects? -- YES. Do we have an excellent goal-tending tandem? -- Yes.

[DawgDad]

Thomas started out on the wing.
If Dvorsky is one of the best top nine forwards at either center or at wing while also being one of the top 3 centers, then he'll play center. If not, but still one of the top 6 wingers, then he'll start at wing. If none of that, as the injuries or his play in the AHL shows that he is ready to step in, he is likely to be called asap.
The competition for spots and the depth is such a nice thing for the Blues...it's been awhile. Excellent management has given us options as well as cap space if needed. Do we have the best players? -- No. Do we have balance and a lot of really good players & prospects? -- YES. Do we have an excellent goal-tending tandem? -- Yes.

Yes, but the less risky path sometimes appears to be sticking with a veteran player.

They don't draft players like Dvorsky to play in the AHL, they draft them to be mainstays on the NHL team. They brought him up late last season then determined they really didn't need him yet, he needed to be playing. On a non-playoff team he likely would have had much more NHL ice time, why not? So, especially after what we just saw, I think he's capable of playing in the NHL now. That's different than playing for the Blues, or whether he plays wing or center or his line slot. Again, the Blues don't need him to ice a playoff team, but as the season progresses they well might be better off if he sticks and develops his NHL game.

The baseline case appears to be Snuggerud replacing Bolduc but hopefully able to stick on the top line, with a vet at 3RW. Really, all Dvorsky should have to do is demonstrate he's a solid backfill for Bolduc. He's a different player but the expected offensive output should be similar (more lean to assists) and he's almost certainly more capable in zone exits and transition. It comes down to mental and physical readiness and what major holes are left in his game. Frankly, if they're bent on playing Schenn on wing (?) he might have a direct path to center a line.

They didn't draft him to play in Springfield, that is a means to the end. It's up to DD to put that behind him.

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I see the logic in what DD is saying above. But, I go back to DA's line that "organizations fail young players as much as young players fail organizations".
I am not sure that Dvorsky looks NHL ready. If he is not, I don't think they should (nor will) rush him. He just turned 20 this summer. Bolduc was a year and half older than Dvorsky at this time last year.

[WilliamWestcliffe]

I really think Dvorsky and Lucic make the lineup out of camp. I also think they really want to talk themselves into a situation where they keep Carbonneau up as well, but I think that is a slim chance based on the logjam they've created -- including already having potentially 2-3 rookies on the NHL roster to start.

All that to say, I can't imagine many scenarios where we leave camp with Joseph and Texier on the NHL roster.

I think the last fourth line roster spot and press box slot (alongside Bjugstad and Walker) is between Lucic, Sundqvist, Toropchenko and Alexandrov. Ultimately keeping Sundqvist and Lucic to rotate press box and Torop and Alexandrov as depth in the AHL.

If Dvorsky isn't ready, then I'm guessing you're holding onto Toropchenko as well.

Deep cut: long shot bet is we see Sunny retire after the preseason

[dhsux]

If DD makes the cut, I see DD at wing pretty much period.

Posters here wondering about his chances to even make the club as further proof so if he does, imo, it is highly likely at wing which is what I've thought all a long. He is not center ready.

The variables in play here are making this roster one of an unpredictable sort but yet without surprise kind of team. (short of Carb making it).

I don't think this team needs Lucic's edge I'd far prefer to go young or keep a Sunny over carrying him. I want the same team chemistry these guys put on the ice 2nd half last season. This team will have to play as such, a team, to do their damage.

[seattleblue]

I think he's around even money to make the team out of camp. I think considerations about managing multiple rookies on the roster (Snuggy has 14 games Mailloux has 8 Dvo has 2) might be a factor here. They may want to see how those two integrate into the main lineup before they follow with Dvo next.

But in terms of his readiness to integrate, he is ready IMO.

[Old_Goat]

I think he's around even money to make the team out of camp. I think considerations about managing multiple rookies on the roster (Snuggy has 14 games Mailloux has 8 Dvo has 2) might be a factor here. They may want to see how those two integrate into the main lineup before they follow with Dvo next.

But in terms of his readiness to integrate, he is ready IMO.

I concur that they will integrate in at most 2 at a time. I think the full playoff round experience on top of the high pressure end of season games that Snuggerud played equates to about a total worth of 20 regular season games. So, unless he slumps quite a bit and early, he's considered for the most part integrated-in. I expect Mailloux will receive a lot of attention and a bit of a leash, but they will patiently stick with him. So, at least two other young prospects (possibly one being Alexandrov who obviously is not a fully unknown prospect) will be on the roster and dressed in the lineup fairly often by December.
We'll see who earns it, but it's possible they give Carbonneau at least 6 games for more of a feel for both him and Coaches to better understand what he should work on and then send him to juniors. During that time period Dvorsky gets a bit more seasoning, then recalled to replaces Carbonneau.
I just don't see Texier and Joseph being around after a couple of months?
We'll find out soon.

[Frank Barone]

I think he's around even money to make the team out of camp. I think considerations about managing multiple rookies on the roster (Snuggy has 14 games Mailloux has 8 Dvo has 2) might be a factor here. They may want to see how those two integrate into the main lineup before they follow with Dvo next.

But in terms of his readiness to integrate, he is ready IMO.

I concur that they will integrate in at most 2 at a time. I think the full playoff round experience on top of the high pressure end of season games that Snuggerud played equates to about a total worth of 20 regular season games. So, unless he slumps quite a bit and early, he's considered for the most part integrated-in. I expect Mailloux will receive a lot of attention and a bit of a leash, but they will patiently stick with him. So, at least two other young prospects (possibly one being Alexandrov who obviously is not a fully unknown prospect) will be on the roster and dressed in the lineup fairly often by December.
We'll see who earns it, but it's possible they give Carbonneau at least 6 games for more of a feel for both him and Coaches to better understand what he should work on and then send him to juniors. During that time period Dvorsky gets a bit more seasoning, then recalled to replaces Carbonneau.
I just don't see Texier and Joseph being around after a couple of months?
We'll find out soon.

I think they will need to keep Joseph around. He's a competent NHL 3rd/4th liner and penalty killer. He will play a lot of games for the Blues this year. But Texier's spot could be at risk if Dvorsky stands out in camp.

[TheJackBurton]

If he doesn't make the team out of camp, I see him spending about 20 games in the minors to refine some things.

Once we get close to that mark I think it's only a matter of time and once he's up he's going to play 8 out of every 10.

If he is up with the club he has to play, he can't sit in the pressbox. Nothing wrong with a few games here and there so he can watch from above, but 95% of his time with the Blues he has to be on the bench.

Now that doesn't mean he won't have the occasional game where he might only get 8 minutes of ice time because of lack of hustle or because of a lot of rookie mistakes, but at least he'll be on the bench getting coached and continuing to see the real speed of the game.

Once acclimated though, I think he takes off and wouldn't be surprised if we see a Thomas/Bozak/Maroon type of third line part deux.

[Old_Goat]

If he doesn't make the team out of camp, I see him spending about 20 games in the minors to refine some things.

Once we get close to that mark I think it's only a matter of time and once he's up he's going to play 8 out of every 10.

If he is up with the club he has to play, he can't sit in the pressbox. Nothing wrong with a few games here and there so he can watch from above, but 95% of his time with the Blues he has to be on the bench.

Now that doesn't mean he won't have the occasional game where he might only get 8 minutes of ice time because of lack of hustle or because of a lot of rookie mistakes, but at least he'll be on the bench getting coached and continuing to see the real speed of the game.

Once acclimated though, I think he takes off and wouldn't be surprised if we see a Thomas/Bozak/Maroon type of third line part deux.

Yes, that's the idea.