The Blues may have added enough depth, skill and grit to spread the load across the lineup this season, but those moves could end up creating a bigger opening for Dalibor Dvorsky than anyone expected.
That’s the twist here: bringing in players like Mason McTavish and Connor McMichael might actually make life easier for Dvorsky. Instead of asking him to carry too much too soon, St.
Louis can let the 21-year-old settle into a role that matches where he is in his development. And that kind of setup can be exactly what a young forward needs.
Dvorsky’s talent isn’t the question. The ceiling is there, even if the NHL production hasn’t fully caught up yet.
What the Blues seem to have now is a chance to bring him along without putting the weight of the world on his shoulders. Jim Montgomery should be able to use him without needing him to do all the heavy lifting.
That matters because rushing prospects into jobs they’re not ready for can backfire fast. A player can only absorb so much before the growing pains start showing. Giving Dvorsky a spot that fits his current stage could be the cleanest path to getting the best out of him.
There are a couple of ways this season could unfold for him. In the best-case version, Dvorsky comes into training camp this fall and immediately forces his way into the Blues’ top six. He would have a strong camp, keep it rolling once the season starts and show exactly why the organization is so intrigued by him.
The more likely path, though, is a little more measured. He could still have an excellent camp and begin the year on the wing on the third line, which would be the safest landing spot. From there, he could move up as the season develops.
Injuries could also open the door. They’re part of the grind over the course of a season, even if nobody wants to see them. If that happens, Montgomery could give Dvorsky a look in the top six and see whether he can handle it.
If he does, there’s a real chance he stays there.
And while 100 points would obviously be a dream outcome, a season with 20-plus goals and more than 50 points would still be a strong sign that Dvorsky is ready for bigger things.
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The Blues have lined up a new partnership with the NHL to help produce their regional broadcasts, a move that keeps the team in the middle of a conversation fans around the league know all too well. For now, the expectation is that local and regional coverage will look much the same as it did last season, while St. Louis also prepares to roll out a new direct-to-consumer streaming option when the season opens.
What has made this especially worth watching is how much broadcast access still shapes the fan experience, from the people calling the games to the way viewers outside the market keep up through ESPN+. The new arrangement also has some wondering whether it could eventually open the door to more traditional TV announcers and perhaps even a different voice in the booth under new GM Alex Steen, but those answers will have to wait a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
These 5 Blues Could Decide Whether This Is A Reload Or Reset
The Blues next season may end up being defined less by the newcomers than by the players already in place, and that starts in goal and on the blue line. Joel Hofer is in line to take on a much larger share of the net, Philip Broberg is coming off his extension with expectations that he becomes a major piece on defense, and Colton Parayko still has to show he can bounce back after a rough year if St. Louis wants stability behind them.
Jimmy Snuggerud adds another layer to the picture because his rise could change the look of the top of the lineup in a hurry. If he settles in as a first-line winger and produces the kind of offense the Blues believe he can, the organizations direction gets clearer fast, but if the veterans wobble and the young core needs more time, the line between a reload and a reset gets a lot harder to draw. [Read more 🡒]