NHL Network ranks Blues Prospect Pool as 4th best

[Harry York 37]

A question for the board about Dvorsky:

He looked good at the tournament. I don’t believe he was on the ice for any ES goals against. Awesome sauce.

The question is- on line three, will he be tough enough at RW?
Neighbours is always ruff and ready, Suter is not a physical player, is he?

How will DVO handle third-line winger “duties”?
Thomas did well with Maroon as the other wing and Bozak as the 3C.

A line of Jake and Pius, and Dvorsky might be our least physical line.

edit- Suter had 59 hits and tied Kyrou for 37th in the Selke voting.. for what that’s worth.

A: By playing center. Just sayin'.

Yes, Pius Suter tied Kyrou for the Selke AND had 9 more hits, as a Center... there is that.

If that is what your three-word answer specifically means.

If not- what are you, specifically, "just sayin'"

"Just sayin'", he was drafted as a center, he's been groomed as a center, he just passed an open book test as a center. He's also bigger than Thomas was. He looked better to me last weekend as a center than Thomas did when they first moved him over. I have no issue with him playing wing if they deem that is best but for all the world he looks to me like a center, an ROR STYLE center. Not a Mc or Mac, or even a Schenn, an ROR style.

My question was, specifically, about Dvo playing Right Wing on the third-line.
Not about him playing the position he was drafted to play in future seasons.
How will he work on what is usually called "The Checking Line". How much value will he add in THAT capacity?

"The third line is often called the checking line, and is generally made up of more defensively oriented forwards and grinders. This line is often played against an opponent's first or second lines in an effort to reduce their scoring, and physically wear them down. The third line adds less offense than the first or second lines, but generally more than the fourth."

Now... do you have any input?

Your snarky answer was cryptic and worthless for my question.

I wasn't being snarky, we are on the same side of the DD making the team issue. Take my response at face value, the BEST way to deal with any shortcomings at wing APPEAR TO ME to be playing him at center.

If they play him at wing they will get a center imitating a winger. Maybe he'll do well enough, maybe not. I would opine, they do not NEED him to play wing, they have enough wingers and then some. That to me is the big difference between this and the Cup team, the Cup team needed wingers. For goodness sake, they played SANFORD on the top line and Thomas on the 3rd line, and then Perron missed a block of time. The worst this team could do is Snuggerud plus one of Joseph/Texier/Bjugstad.

Really, all DD needs to do is play the system and minimize his mistakes, either on wing or at center. I keep coming back to this, the kid is a World Class Juniors center who just made the AHL all-prospect team at 19, and he looked smooth, composed, and systematically solid in the two prospect games against top line opponents. He won a bunch of draws clean to a teammate. He's a center.

He has zero chance of sticking with this team at center this Fall. We have more than enough seasoned NHL'rs there.
The responsibilities of the center are second only to those of the Goalie. DD ain't ready, yet.

Only one of those "seasoned NHL'ers" can reliably win a faceoff, and that's Thomas(Schenn- career 48.1%, Suter- career 46%, Bjugstad- career 48.9%, Sunny- career 43.7%).

Dvorsky can absolutely push somebody to the wing if he shows legit FO prowess(which is something he's historically been known for).

The Blues have a large collection of hybrid center-wings(you can even throw Buch and Holloway in that group). Don't just assume that those players will be gifted center spots with no competition.

Your points are valid. However, the challenges of playing 3C in the NHL are daunting. Mistakes are far more likely to end up in your net. His Defensive toolkit is very solid, I grant you that, but the NHL is in another... league. I don’t intend that in a mean snarky way. It’s only the facts)
We would have to be beyond putrid on draws for FO% to be the deciding factor, as I foresee it. I can't even see them giving him much of a chance this fall at C. As you mentioned, not only did we hire two new ones with solid experience, we have hybrids on the roster as well.
Stranger things have happened.

[DawgDad]

A question for the board about Dvorsky:

He looked good at the tournament. I don’t believe he was on the ice for any ES goals against. Awesome sauce.

The question is- on line three, will he be tough enough at RW?
Neighbours is always ruff and ready, Suter is not a physical player, is he?

How will DVO handle third-line winger “duties”?
Thomas did well with Maroon as the other wing and Bozak as the 3C.

A line of Jake and Pius, and Dvorsky might be our least physical line.

edit- Suter had 59 hits and tied Kyrou for 37th in the Selke voting.. for what that’s worth.

A: By playing center. Just sayin'.

Yes, Pius Suter tied Kyrou for the Selke AND had 9 more hits, as a Center... there is that.

If that is what your three-word answer specifically means.

If not- what are you, specifically, "just sayin'"

"Just sayin'", he was drafted as a center, he's been groomed as a center, he just passed an open book test as a center. He's also bigger than Thomas was. He looked better to me last weekend as a center than Thomas did when they first moved him over. I have no issue with him playing wing if they deem that is best but for all the world he looks to me like a center, an ROR STYLE center. Not a Mc or Mac, or even a Schenn, an ROR style.

My question was, specifically, about Dvo playing Right Wing on the third-line.
Not about him playing the position he was drafted to play in future seasons.
How will he work on what is usually called "The Checking Line". How much value will he add in THAT capacity?

"The third line is often called the checking line, and is generally made up of more defensively oriented forwards and grinders. This line is often played against an opponent's first or second lines in an effort to reduce their scoring, and physically wear them down. The third line adds less offense than the first or second lines, but generally more than the fourth."

Now... do you have any input?

Your snarky answer was cryptic and worthless for my question.

I wasn't being snarky, we are on the same side of the DD making the team issue. Take my response at face value, the BEST way to deal with any shortcomings at wing APPEAR TO ME to be playing him at center.

If they play him at wing they will get a center imitating a winger. Maybe he'll do well enough, maybe not. I would opine, they do not NEED him to play wing, they have enough wingers and then some. That to me is the big difference between this and the Cup team, the Cup team needed wingers. For goodness sake, they played SANFORD on the top line and Thomas on the 3rd line, and then Perron missed a block of time. The worst this team could do is Snuggerud plus one of Joseph/Texier/Bjugstad.

Really, all DD needs to do is play the system and minimize his mistakes, either on wing or at center. I keep coming back to this, the kid is a World Class Juniors center who just made the AHL all-prospect team at 19, and he looked smooth, composed, and systematically solid in the two prospect games against top line opponents. He won a bunch of draws clean to a teammate. He's a center.

He has zero chance of sticking with this team at center this Fall. We have more than enough seasoned NHL'rs there.
The responsibilities of the center are second only to those of the Goalie. DD ain't ready, yet.

Only one of those "seasoned NHL'ers" can reliably win a faceoff, and that's Thomas(Schenn- career 48.1%, Suter- career 46%, Bjugstad- career 48.9%, Sunny- career 43.7%).

Dvorsky can absolutely push somebody to the wing if he shows legit FO prowess(which is something he's historically been known for).

The Blues have a large collection of hybrid center-wings(you can even throw Buch and Holloway in that group). Don't just assume that those players will be gifted center spots with no competition.

What comes out of camp is largely up to DD, but the needs and desired structure of the team will be a factor. To Harry 37, I wouldn't put his chances to arrive as a center at zero.

I still think the base case down the middle is Thomas-Schenn-Suter-Bjugstad. I've seen references to moving Schenn to wing, Bjugstad to wing. There are tons of potential line combinations with and without Dvorsky in the mix. I lean to them starting the season with the veterans but I do think DD has a chance.

If they want to give Carbonneau a 9-game sniff then it would seem convenient to park DD in Springfield. I personally don't like that, DD is not a shuttle depth guy, he's a core asset. The only way I'd send him down is with specific developmental coaching instructions, a to-do list.

Again, we need to see DD in camp working with and against NHL veterans. If he's NHL ready it will show. He's a two-way center, not a flashy offensive dynamo.

[Harry York 37]

A question for the board about Dvorsky:

He looked good at the tournament. I don’t believe he was on the ice for any ES goals against. Awesome sauce.

The question is- on line three, will he be tough enough at RW?
Neighbours is always ruff and ready, Suter is not a physical player, is he?

How will DVO handle third-line winger “duties”?
Thomas did well with Maroon as the other wing and Bozak as the 3C.

A line of Jake and Pius, and Dvorsky might be our least physical line.

edit- Suter had 59 hits and tied Kyrou for 37th in the Selke voting.. for what that’s worth.

A: By playing center. Just sayin'.

Yes, Pius Suter tied Kyrou for the Selke AND had 9 more hits, as a Center... there is that.

If that is what your three-word answer specifically means.

If not- what are you, specifically, "just sayin'"

"Just sayin'", he was drafted as a center, he's been groomed as a center, he just passed an open book test as a center. He's also bigger than Thomas was. He looked better to me last weekend as a center than Thomas did when they first moved him over. I have no issue with him playing wing if they deem that is best but for all the world he looks to me like a center, an ROR STYLE center. Not a Mc or Mac, or even a Schenn, an ROR style.

My question was, specifically, about Dvo playing Right Wing on the third-line.
Not about him playing the position he was drafted to play in future seasons.
How will he work on what is usually called "The Checking Line". How much value will he add in THAT capacity?

"The third line is often called the checking line, and is generally made up of more defensively oriented forwards and grinders. This line is often played against an opponent's first or second lines in an effort to reduce their scoring, and physically wear them down. The third line adds less offense than the first or second lines, but generally more than the fourth."

Now... do you have any input?

Your snarky answer was cryptic and worthless for my question.

I wasn't being snarky, we are on the same side of the DD making the team issue. Take my response at face value, the BEST way to deal with any shortcomings at wing APPEAR TO ME to be playing him at center.

If they play him at wing they will get a center imitating a winger. Maybe he'll do well enough, maybe not. I would opine, they do not NEED him to play wing, they have enough wingers and then some. That to me is the big difference between this and the Cup team, the Cup team needed wingers. For goodness sake, they played SANFORD on the top line and Thomas on the 3rd line, and then Perron missed a block of time. The worst this team could do is Snuggerud plus one of Joseph/Texier/Bjugstad.

Really, all DD needs to do is play the system and minimize his mistakes, either on wing or at center. I keep coming back to this, the kid is a World Class Juniors center who just made the AHL all-prospect team at 19, and he looked smooth, composed, and systematically solid in the two prospect games against top line opponents. He won a bunch of draws clean to a teammate. He's a center.

He has zero chance of sticking with this team at center this Fall. We have more than enough seasoned NHL'rs there.
The responsibilities of the center are second only to those of the Goalie. DD ain't ready, yet.

Only one of those "seasoned NHL'ers" can reliably win a faceoff, and that's Thomas(Schenn- career 48.1%, Suter- career 46%, Bjugstad- career 48.9%, Sunny- career 43.7%).

Dvorsky can absolutely push somebody to the wing if he shows legit FO prowess(which is something he's historically been known for).

The Blues have a large collection of hybrid center-wings(you can even throw Buch and Holloway in that group). Don't just assume that those players will be gifted center spots with no competition.

What comes out of camp is largely up to DD, but the needs and desired structure of the team will be a factor. To Harry 37, I wouldn't put his chances to arrive as a center at zero.

I still think the base case down the middle is Thomas-Schenn-Suter-Bjugstad. I've seen references to moving Schenn to wing, Bjugstad to wing. There are tons of potential line combinations with and without Dvorsky in the mix. I lean to them starting the season with the veterans but I do think DD has a chance.

If they want to give Carbonneau a 9-game sniff then it would seem convenient to park DD in Springfield. I personally don't like that, DD is not a shuttle depth guy, he's a core asset. The only way I'd send him down is with specific developmental coaching instructions, a to-do list.

Again, we need to see DD in camp working with and against NHL veterans. If he's NHL ready it will show. He's a two-way center, not a flashy offensive dynamo.

IF... DD blows he doors off the Training Camp roof, he could play C.
I think he will have a great camp, but it is a gigantic risk to start a young man, who was 19 six days before this summer began, at 3C in the NHL.

[hornetfb52]

The longer it takes for a prospect to make an NHL squad, the LESS OF AN IMPACT they will bring.

Do we have anyone very close to a roster spot? Nope. Not a single one.

I'm glad that someone thinks we are as high as #4, but I don't believe it. I wish I had a count of the number of forwards who were drafted in 2023 or later, and who are already playing in the NHL. I'm sure that it would be sickening to see.

The prospect showcase is just one more test failed. I am thoroughly PO'd and disgusted.

I am absolutely f***ing stunned that you dont agree.

[Old_Goat]

A question for the board about Dvorsky:

He looked good at the tournament. I don’t believe he was on the ice for any ES goals against. Awesome sauce.

The question is- on line three, will he be tough enough at RW?
Neighbours is always ruff and ready, Suter is not a physical player, is he?

How will DVO handle third-line winger “duties”?
Thomas did well with Maroon as the other wing and Bozak as the 3C.

A line of Jake and Pius, and Dvorsky might be our least physical line.

edit- Suter had 59 hits and tied Kyrou for 37th in the Selke voting.. for what that’s worth.

I don’t necessarily see our 3rd line as a grinder line, at least not with Suter centering it. That said, Dvorsky has shown plenty of physicality and board play at lower levels so I’m sure that’ll be a part of his game in the NHL eventually.

My main concern would be with him playing RW. Most of his experience is at C with a little at LW. I’ve never seen him play RW. Then again, it’s really not overly hard for some. And we saw that a year ago. A year ago, Bolduc played the previous 3 seasons at LW and C before that. But the need was at RW and he adapted to earn the role, so clearly it can be done.

That said, I would bet either Sunny or Bjugstad are the mostly likely to end up at 3RW. Or Snuggerud if he can’t stick on the 1st line and they go back to the Neighbours-Thomas-Buchy line.

I hope that we have two excellent scoring lines and another really good scoring line, as well as an exceptional & physical checking line. And of course a reliable, focused 6-man D-corps ideally with 2-3 good offensive D-men. And good bench management to cut down on too-many-men-on-ice penalties and smooth quick line changes.
I don't care what their draft position was and I don't care if we drafted them.

[Cahokanut]

Finally, I ranking that's respected, true, and liked and posted by the same. Great thread.

I put little stock into these. Other then the information and conversation. Like almost everyone here. I haven't seen a lot of too many of these guys. Some highlights for some, parts of games for others, a few I've watched more then a couple of games.

Myself I'd want to judge a prospect pool on the immediate return value they have, and how hard/expensive it is to have a player replace what they project to be. Teams also have players on contract and needs that would make some more valuable/needed, therefore promoted and others over seasoned. Which has me asking what/how are they making these ranking. Turns out, some will value elite talent, some add in top talent, this one seems to give favor to making the team. Since I'm like everyone (including those that make these list) There isn't enough time to know what everyone can bring. I don't think any matter. Not all the ones that have us in the middle between 14-23 or this one that has us at four.

What I know is the guy with the final say will always pick a hard worker grinder/PF, type. And those guys can, and we do, get used on any and every line.

With scouts knowing that. I think the guy with the final say has done great at listening to his scouts and picking some of the more talented hard workers.

For me. Top line and elite talent is the hardest most expensive thing to get. While having a prospect team full of future nhler many sound great. Can they hold a top line position on the team. Do they hold the value to get us the hardest and most expensive pieces needed to fill out the team.

[Harry York 37]

A question for the board about Dvorsky:

He looked good at the tournament. I don’t believe he was on the ice for any ES goals against. Awesome sauce.

The question is- on line three, will he be tough enough at RW?
Neighbours is always ruff and ready, Suter is not a physical player, is he?

How will DVO handle third-line winger “duties”?
Thomas did well with Maroon as the other wing and Bozak as the 3C.

A line of Jake and Pius, and Dvorsky might be our least physical line.

edit- Suter had 59 hits and tied Kyrou for 37th in the Selke voting.. for what that’s worth.

I don’t necessarily see our 3rd line as a grinder line, at least not with Suter centering it. That said, Dvorsky has shown plenty of physicality and board play at lower levels so I’m sure that’ll be a part of his game in the NHL eventually.

My main concern would be with him playing RW. Most of his experience is at C with a little at LW. I’ve never seen him play RW. Then again, it’s really not overly hard for some. And we saw that a year ago. A year ago, Bolduc played the previous 3 seasons at LW and C before that. But the need was at RW and he adapted to earn the role, so clearly it can be done.

That said, I would bet either Sunny or Bjugstad are the mostly likely to end up at 3RW. Or Snuggerud if he can’t stick on the 1st line and they go back to the Neighbours-Thomas-Buchy line.

I hope that we have two excellent scoring lines and another really good scoring line, as well as an exceptional & physical checking line. And of course a reliable, focused 6-man D-corps ideally with 2-3 good offensive D-men. And good bench management to cut down on too-many-men-on-ice penalties and smooth quick line changes.
I don't care what their draft position was and I don't care if we drafted them.

Hnmmm, the third line on the Cup team had not a lot of hits, but they seem to have gotten the job done. “Another really good scoring line” was more of their value. Bozak for a third line center was nice. Offensive Whippersnapper Thomas and the menace of Maroon made for a swiss army knife trio. Neighbours is willing to go,and more skilled than Maroon, although Maroon’s hand Eye was pretty good.
I reckon Suter is in the same tier as Bozak as a 3C, and Dvo- IF he sticks- is a comp for 2019 RT. Only larger.