Elite Prospects Releases Top 100

[John Cocktoastin]

Justin Carbonneau at #25
No surprise that Carbonneau ranks the highest of the Blues prospect pool--that he ranks so high, however, is impressive. At No. 25, Carbonneau is notably ahead of prospects Anton Frondell (selected 3rd overall this summer!) and Berkly Catton, and one spot behind 2025 5th-overall selection Brady Martin. The folks at Elite Prospects are high on Carbonneau, calling him a "complete offensive force" and speculating that his "power forward build and all-around high-end tools could make him a top-six forward, provided he works on his defensive game and risk management."

Yeah, that's a pretty good prospect to have in the system!

Jimmy Snuggerud at #36
Since Snuggerud only played a handful of games at the NHL level, he remains Calder eligible--thus included in these rankings. EP predicts that "he will be an NHLer for a long time," and call him "a complete prospect." They're highest on his shooting ability and forechecking, and say that building consistency is what'll make him an excellent player.

Dalibor Dvorsky at #38
Not far behind Snuggerud is Dvorsky, selected tenth overall in the 2023 draft. Dvorsky had a good rookie AHL season, and the writers at EP say they "could see him play the same type of supportive, complementary scoring role in the Blues’ middle-six." If Dvorsky improves his defensive play, they continue, it would increase his upside.

Adam Jiricek at #99
And (almost) last but not least is defenseman Adam Jiricek, selected 16th overall in the 2024 draft. His ranking is due to the concerns that've plagued him since his draft year: mistake prone and a poor skater. The good news is EP sees a path where Jiricek's "skill level, confidence, physicality, and activity rate could make him a No. 4 or 5 defenseman." Not necessarily what you want from such an early draft pick, but a useful NHL player is a useful NHL player any way you slice it.

Honorable Mentions: Otto Stenberg and Theo Lindstein

Link

[b-a-a-a-rclay]

I've haven't heard Jiricek described as a poor skater before. Some of these comments seem off and hurt the credibility of the writer. I will say that I expect Lindstein to have a better chance at being an impactful NHLer than Jiricek, but if Jiricek stays healthy and develops, his potential is higher than a 4 or 5 dman.

[danno]

I was hoping to see the perennial AHL all-star defensman, Logan Mailloux on this list

[BalotelliMassive]

lol @ Nick Lardis at 100

In his third OHL season, it's all clicked for Lardis. He's gone from a talented player, to a dominant one. He's the biggest scoring threat on each shift he takes, and he's led the Brantford Bulldogs to a first place finish in the Eastern Conference. Through 61 games he's up to 70 goals, 43 assists, and 113 points, ranking second in the OHL in scoring. He trails only top 2025 NHL Draft prospect, Michael Misa.

This list is cacca

[DawgDad]

Prospect lists may be entertaining or even informative but they do not log minutes and score goals in the NHL, players do. The surest bets to log time with the Blues appear to be Snuggerud, Mailloux, and Dvorsky. Maybe Peterson, too. The only ranking that really matters is what they do in the NHL.

As for Jiricek, it's fine to assess where he's at but it really means nothing right now, he's going to play and hopefully stay healthy, and he's not close to being ready for the NHL. When he is about ready (or if he falls out of the pipeline) these assessments will mean something.

[seattleblue]

I feel like I led the Carbonneau bandwagon and all I’m doing lately is insisting Dvorsky is better

Jiricek above Lardis hahaha

[Nublues69]

I cant believe we struck gold with another late round pick like we did with thomas. Obivously its to soon to tell but dammmmmmm!

damn-mad.gif (89.41 KiB) Viewed 955 times

[Nublues69]

I feel like I led the Carbonneau bandwagon and all I’m doing lately is insisting Dvorsky is better

Jiricek above Lardis hahaha

Dont think you did. I think when Jamie rivers and others said he has a solid chance to make the team out of camp after his showcase and afrter prospect camp.

[BalotelliMassive]

Prospect lists may be entertaining or even informative but they do not log minutes and score goals in the NHL, players do. The surest bets to log time with the Blues appear to be Snuggerud, Mailloux, and Dvorsky. Maybe Peterson, too. The only ranking that really matters is what they do in the NHL.

They list Ethan Del Mastro as an honorable mention ranked behind players that might not even make it to the NHL. He played 24 games for the Hawks last season and is a lock to make the team this year.

[Harry S Deals]

Prospect lists may be entertaining or even informative but they do not log minutes and score goals in the NHL, players do. The surest bets to log time with the Blues appear to be Snuggerud, Mailloux, and Dvorsky. Maybe Peterson, too. The only ranking that really matters is what they do in the NHL.

As for Jiricek, it's fine to assess where he's at but it really means nothing right now, he's going to play and hopefully stay healthy, and he's not close to being ready for the NHL. When he is about ready (or if he falls out of the pipeline) these assessments will mean something.

Like with most prospects when we see Jiricek in the AHL we can begin to (bleep) his game

[dp88]

So I follow a little bit on drafting, and read about prospects, but I'm far from an expert. Wasn't 2025 supposed to be a weak draft? Yet somehow at 19th overall we landed the best prospect in our system? Obviously different analysts have different ratings, but this math doesn't really add up to me.

[seattleblue]

I feel like I led the Carbonneau bandwagon and all I’m doing lately is insisting Dvorsky is better

Jiricek above Lardis hahaha

Dont think you did. I think when Jamie rivers and others said he has a solid chance to make the team out of camp after his showcase and afrter prospect camp.

It doesn’t matter what you think. I absolutely led the Carbonneau bandwagon and the search function will prove it. Why don’t you go back to trolling that’s half of what you do here and it marks you

[kimzey59]

The only response I'm capable of to this "ranking".

[DawgDad]

So I follow a little bit on drafting, and read about prospects, but I'm far from an expert. Wasn't 2025 supposed to be a weak draft? Yet somehow at 19th overall we landed the best prospect in our system? Obviously different analysts have different ratings, but this math doesn't really add up to me.

Ya think?

At best prospect ratings are fluid. At worst they embody external agendas. So, this source deems Carbonneau to have more upside than Snuggerud, Mailloux, and Dvorsky. At this stage of their development just what does that mean? Think Tage Thompson, he may have had more projected offensive upside than ROR in 2018 but he wasn't going to help the Blues win that Cup. Evan at that he had to DO it in the NHL to make it real. Carbonneau is today what Snuggerud was three years ago, promising.

[Nublues69]

I feel like I led the Carbonneau bandwagon and all I’m doing lately is insisting Dvorsky is better

Jiricek above Lardis hahaha

Dont think you did. I think when Jamie rivers and others said he has a solid chance to make the team out of camp after his showcase and afrter prospect camp.

It doesn’t matter what you think. I absolutely led the Carbonneau bandwagon and the search function will prove it. Why don’t you go back to trolling that’s half of what you do here and it marks you

Wow you are so angry buddy. The need for you to be right and the need for you to be first those a narcist qualities. Also i will do what ever the eff i want i have been on this board since johnson was drafted back when i was at ITT tech soooooo blow me.

[STL fan in MN]

This list goes to show how wildly different and subjective prospect rankings can be. I have my own opinions but at the end of the day, you’re comparing players of varying age in a whole host of different leagues with wildly different strengths and weaknesses and it’s just really hard to compare them all to each other sometimes.

From my perspective though, the Blues have 6-7 really strong prospects: Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Lindstein, Mailloux, Carbonneau, Stenberg and maybe Jiricek if he can stay healthy and get back on track this season.