Dvorsky?

[2forDiving]

Anybody see the 23 redraft from Wheeler?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/743358 ... -ios-share

Evaluators liked Dvorsky’s skill, sense and two-way commitment. The feet are just average, though. I think he has flown a little under the radar to non-Blues fans and is going to be a really solid contributor in a top nine and potentially on a second line for a long time. I was a little too high on him at draft time, though, and thought about ranking him a spot or two lower here.

lol yeah he’s ranked two whole spots lower than where we picked him so naturally someone else in this thread is bouncing off the walls.

And one is a goalie which is a trash take.

I don't know anything about the goalie, but I wouldn't trade Dvo for any same age goalie.

Dalibor was in a tough spot after being drafted. He was 17 and not quite ready for full time men, even if he could generally keep up with them and is a larger frame himself. He played 10 SHL games before deciding to get used to NA, joining the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Then he was a leader on the Slovakian team at the WJC, where he really shines. So his D+1 season was a mix of 3 different teams across two continents and 3 countries. The next two seasons were similar, as he even started in Springfield last year. He's logged a lot of games, a lot of miles, and a lot of high pressure situations. This year all he has to worry about is locking down 3C and fighting for more.

He might be the biggest breakout candidate on the team, as even a 45pt season would be double the production. However, I don't think he will ever score fewer than 20 goals again. Revisit in several more years.

Last year, Dvorsky was the undisputed heir apparent to 2C.
This year, Dvorsky is swimming amongst a sea of Centers that the Blues invested in.
- McTavish was brought in AT GREAT COST
- 2 young prospects were brought in as Round 1 selections.

Dvorsky's problems are not over; they are just starting. We'll see how he responds.

The Blues have needed a 2C for a couple seasons now, and they finally addressed that issue. They also did so knowing they had a couple guys capable of moving from center to wing if necessary. A very common sense approach, which is why many pundits are picking the Blues to make the playoffs this year and see them growing into a contender in the future.

[a smell of green grass]

^^^^^^^
Thank you SameOldBlues for some much needed common sense! The kid played almost a full season in the NHL at 20, then was a breakout player in the Olympics. Not seeing a reason for the constant freak out on here about him.

The Blues just heavily invested money and draft capital in 3 young Centers. Either that was a mistake, or drafting Dvorsky was a mistake 3 years ago.

The Blues clearly see the need to upgrade and bolster the TOP6 Center position.

If you think Dvorsky is going to win out, who do you think is going to lose out? McTavish? Lawrence? Deganais?

[Harry S Deals]

So a kid that just turned 21, scored more goals than Thomas at the same age in the NHL but actually did it from an NHL center position and the Blues are somehow worried about Dalibor? Center was a huge hole behind Thomas, Dalibor is/was too young to be a top 6 NHL center on a playoff team at least last year. For me the skys the limit for Dalibor by his mid 20's hes going to be a PPG, shooting center, 25-30 goal guy 80 pt center esp with the potential wings the Blues have coming, Carbonnneau, Stenberg, Snuggy whoever.
Landing McTavish was a coup, newsflash ..... wait for it.... Blues need more than two centers .... so they went out and grabbed a #3 OA for a couple of draft capital picks. Total bonus going forward. AND Lawrence falls to them at #11 because he choice to go to the NCAA at 17 yrs old, mid season and didnt put up many points lol. This script couldnt get any better for the franchise. Had Lawrence piled up a heap of points again in the USHL who knows how high he would have been drafted, 5th? Higher?

[2forDiving]

On another note, why would anyone be doing a re-draft on the 2023 draft already? This isn’t football or basketball where the impacts of the draft are immediate. Wheeler is evaluating a draft where 90% of the class hasn’t even made it to a full NHL season yet. Just seems odd.

[a smell of green grass]

So a kid that just turned 21, scored more goals than Thomas at the same age in the NHL but actually did it from an NHL center position and the Blues are somehow worried about Dalibor? Center was a huge hole behind Thomas, Dalibor is/was too young to be a top 6 NHL center on a playoff team at least last year. For me the skys the limit for Dalibor by his mid 20's hes going to be a PPG, shooting center, 25-30 goal guy 80 pt center esp with the potential wings the Blues have coming, Carbonnneau, Stenberg, Snuggy whoever.
Landing McTavish was a coup, newsflash ..... wait for it.... Blues need more than two centers .... so they went out and grabbed a #3 OA for a couple of draft capital picks. Total bonus going forward. AND Lawrence falls to them at #11 because he choice to go to the NCAA at 17 yrs old, mid season and didnt put up many points lol. This script couldnt get any better for the franchise. Had Lawrence piled up a heap of points again in the USHL who knows how high he would have been drafted, 5th? Higher?

The Blues drafted CENTERs galore for 3 reasons:
1) Dvorsky is not an answer at 1C/2C
2) Thomas is injury-prone
3) The Blues got a taste of draft value of a good Center at the trade deadline

Based on the recent Blues investment decisions, the pool of 1C/2Cs in 3 years is Thomas, McTavish and Lawrence. Dvorsky may win a spot, but that is now a long shot.

[BalotelliMassive]

On another note, why would anyone be doing a re-draft on the 2023 draft already? This isn’t football or basketball where the impacts of the draft are immediate. Wheeler is evaluating a draft where 90% of the class hasn’t even made it to a full NHL season yet. Just seems odd.

There's nothing else going on.

He put a guy that hasn't played one second in the NHL ahead of Dvorsky which seems like a reach today....he's throwing shat at the wall seeing what sticks.

[Harry S Deals]

Anybody see the 23 redraft from Wheeler?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/743358 ... -ios-share

Evaluators liked Dvorsky’s skill, sense and two-way commitment. The feet are just average, though. I think he has flown a little under the radar to non-Blues fans and is going to be a really solid contributor in a top nine and potentially on a second line for a long time. I was a little too high on him at draft time, though, and thought about ranking him a spot or two lower here.

lol yeah he’s ranked two whole spots lower than where we picked him so naturally someone else in this thread is bouncing off the walls.

And one is a goalie which is a trash take.

I don't know anything about the goalie, but I wouldn't trade Dvo for any same age goalie.

Dalibor was in a tough spot after being drafted. He was 17 and not quite ready for full time men, even if he could generally keep up with them and is a larger frame himself. He played 10 SHL games before deciding to get used to NA, joining the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Then he was a leader on the Slovakian team at the WJC, where he really shines. So his D+1 season was a mix of 3 different teams across two continents and 3 countries. The next two seasons were similar, as he even started in Springfield last year. He's logged a lot of games, a lot of miles, and a lot of high pressure situations. This year all he has to worry about is locking down 3C and fighting for more.

He might be the biggest breakout candidate on the team, as even a 45pt season would be double the production. However, I don't think he will ever score fewer than 20 goals again. Revisit in several more years.

Yea it baffles me why any Blues fans would be underestimating this kid. I watched more CHL and AHL games online just to see him play, kid has elite skill, shot, passing, plays D well. Simply no reason to think he will underachieve.

Given this there was also no reason for the Blues to stand pat with thomas, dd, suter, finley whatever. Blues needed legit center depth and let the chips fall where they may this was never a sligth to DD at 21 yrs old. In fact, anoiting DD a "2C" before he is ready and then having to shuffle him around if its not working yet may be more detrimental to his mental state. Allowing him to flourish in a 3c role where he knows who his linemates are, can get favorable match ups, this is the smart play

[somni]

On another note, why would anyone be doing a re-draft on the 2023 draft already? This isn’t football or basketball where the impacts of the draft are immediate. Wheeler is evaluating a draft where 90% of the class hasn’t even made it to a full NHL season yet. Just seems odd.

There's nothing else going on.

He put a guy that hasn't played one second in the NHL ahead of Dvorsky which seems like a reach today....he's throwing shat at the wall seeing what sticks.

Yep. And now he says Thomas is injury prone.

And who cares who "wins out". Having depth at center is a must. If one has to go to wing, then so be it. It also gives you more matchups if needed and better depth if someone gets injured. Sure beats having Buch play center.

[BigBoy12]

I had hoped that he would be a top 6 center by now but he's young and is a playable NHL player with room to grow. He'll be fine

[a smell of green grass]

Anybody see the 23 redraft from Wheeler?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/743358 ... -ios-share

Evaluators liked Dvorsky’s skill, sense and two-way commitment. The feet are just average, though. I think he has flown a little under the radar to non-Blues fans and is going to be a really solid contributor in a top nine and potentially on a second line for a long time. I was a little too high on him at draft time, though, and thought about ranking him a spot or two lower here.

lol yeah he’s ranked two whole spots lower than where we picked him so naturally someone else in this thread is bouncing off the walls.

And one is a goalie which is a trash take.

I don't know anything about the goalie, but I wouldn't trade Dvo for any same age goalie.

Dalibor was in a tough spot after being drafted. He was 17 and not quite ready for full time men, even if he could generally keep up with them and is a larger frame himself. He played 10 SHL games before deciding to get used to NA, joining the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Then he was a leader on the Slovakian team at the WJC, where he really shines. So his D+1 season was a mix of 3 different teams across two continents and 3 countries. The next two seasons were similar, as he even started in Springfield last year. He's logged a lot of games, a lot of miles, and a lot of high pressure situations. This year all he has to worry about is locking down 3C and fighting for more.

He might be the biggest breakout candidate on the team, as even a 45pt season would be double the production. However, I don't think he will ever score fewer than 20 goals again. Revisit in several more years.

Yea it baffles me why any Blues fans would be underestimating this kid. I watched more CHL and AHL games online just to see him play, kid has elite skill, shot, passing, plays D well. Simply no reason to think he will underachieve.

Given this there was also no reason for the Blues to stand pat with thomas, dd, suter, finley whatever. Blues needed legit center depth and let the chips fall where they may this was never a sligth to DD at 21 yrs old. In fact, anoiting DD a "2C" before he is ready and then having to shuffle him around if its not working yet may be more detrimental to his mental state. Allowing him to flourish in a 3c role where he knows who his linemates are, can get favorable match ups, this is the smart play

Every Blues fan could see that the Blues are light on Centers, up and down the organization. Most don't consider the reason because that might tarnish Army's reputation, and BluesTalkers don't do that.

The reasons for being light at Center, ranked in order.
1. The Blues never draft high in Round 1 where elite Centers are available in the NHL Draft.
2. Dean is a no-show. Barbashev was given away for nothing.
3. Dvorsky is the 7th-best Center in the 2023 draft. In his current state, he would lose more games than he wins, and the Blues want to continue to win games in March when the regular season is over.
4. Blues Scouts have a very poor record of finding Center talent.

My complaint is that the Blues likely stocked up on AVERAGE AHL-quality Centers, and that is no real solution. It's only an imaginary one. Hello more Zach Dean's.
1. McTavish could not stay in the Ducks lineup, and the Ducks are a mediocre team.
2. The 2026 draft was considered very poor for CENTER talent, and the Blues selected the 3rd best one and beyond.

In summary, Army/Steen did MORE OF THE SAME in regards to staffing the Center position. Will it work out or will recent history repeat?

[DawgDad]

Just a comment on Dean: He self-destructed. It happens.

[a smell of green grass]

Just a comment on Dean: He self-destructed. It happens.

Like I was saying.... It's never Doug's fault. It's the kids fault instead.

[DawgDad]

Just a comment on Dean: He self-destructed. It happens.

Like I was saying.... It's never Doug's fault. It's the kids fault instead.

You are 100% correct.

[Harry S Deals]

Just a comment on Dean: He self-destructed. It happens.

Thankfully the book is written yet on Dean, hes back with the T Birds, played really well down the stretch he turned 23 this June so there is still time for him to make his mark

[DawgDad]

Just a comment on Dean: He self-destructed. It happens.

Thankfully the book is written yet on Dean, hes back with the T Birds, played really well down the stretch he turned 23 this June so there is still time for him to make his mark

Yeah, book not completely closed on him yet, but he needs a one or two level uptick in his production to have any real chance at being more than an emergency call up. Lots of players are or will be leaving him in their wake.

[Lets_Clinch]

I cannot believe this thread has reached four pages. It's one of the dorkiest OP's and threads I've seen, baseless accusations and proclamations strung out like a week's laundry on a clothes line.

Sure The outlook and status of our high draft pick in 2023 is of no interest to any Blues fan.

It's never good to put the pom pom squad next to the Coach's desk.

I'm a Blues fan, longer than you. I've seen ALL of Dvorsky's games. I'm quite aware of his "status".

Fans cheer FOR their team and the players.

Do you ever compare hockey in St Louis versus other cities? Do you ever feel like St Louis is getting the leftovers while other cities gets steak?

Then go eat steak in Vegas or whatever team you are going to bandwagon leap to next.