The St. Louis Blues haven’t had much to celebrate this season.
Injuries, inconsistency, and underwhelming results have piled up, and the playoff picture is looking increasingly bleak. But even in a tough year, there are glimmers of hope-especially when you look at the pipeline.
The Blues have a handful of young prospects already getting NHL ice time, and several more making noise with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Let’s take a closer look at where things stand with some of the organization’s most intriguing under-23 players.
NHL Prospects: Early Returns, Mixed Results
Four prospects currently skating with the Blues are worth keeping tabs on: Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, Logan Mailloux, and Jimmy Snuggerud. All four are in their first full NHL seasons, though Stenberg could technically retain Calder eligibility next year if he doesn’t hit the 25-game mark-a scenario that seems unlikely given his current trajectory.
Jimmy Snuggerud came into the season riding high after a strong finish to last year and a promising playoff showing. But so far, the 2025-26 campaign hasn’t gone according to plan.
With just seven goals and 15 points through 35 games, his production has taken a hit. Injuries have played a role, but the expectations were higher.
That said, while Snuggerud hasn’t lived up to the hype, he hasn’t completely fallen off the radar either.
Logan Mailloux, on the other hand, is having a much tougher time. Through 32 games, he’s managed just one goal and one assist-and his minus-21 rating is a glaring red flag.
The defensive lapses have been costly, and right now, he’s trending toward a forgettable rookie campaign. There’s still time for growth, but the early returns are rough.
Dalibor Dvorsky is faring a bit better, especially considering the added responsibilities he’s taken on due to injuries in the Blues’ forward group. With seven goals and 10 points in 37 games, he’s holding his own down the middle.
It’s not flashy, but it’s steady. His advanced numbers-like a 42.84 expected goals-for percentage (xGF%)-suggest there’s room for improvement, but he’s at least showing signs of being a reliable two-way presence.
Otto Stenberg is the smallest sample size of the group, but arguably the most encouraging. In just 13 games, he’s posted a goal and seven points-impressive output for a rookie still finding his footing.
His underlying numbers (40.63 xGF%) aren’t great, but the offensive spark is there. If the Blues’ season continues trending downward, Stenberg could see an expanded role-and maybe even help set the stage for a family reunion, with his brother Ivar eligible for the 2026 draft.
AHL Prospects: Development in Progress
Down in Springfield, the Blues are quietly building a foundation. Four prospects in particular are worth watching.
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki had a brief five-game stint with the Blues earlier this season and has since returned to the AHL. Known more for his two-way game than his scoring touch, Kaskimaki has still managed to chip in nine goals and 16 points in 28 games with the Thunderbirds. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective-and that kind of versatility could earn him another look at the NHL level.
Juraj Pkarcik has also shown some offensive upside, with five goals and 17 points in 34 games. He’s still raw in some areas, but the tools are there. He’s the kind of player who could turn into a valuable depth piece if he continues to round out his game.
On the back end, Theo Lindstein is going through some growing pains. With just two goals, six points, and a minus-21 rating, it’s been a tough stretch.
Defensemen often take longer to adjust, and Lindstein is no exception. The potential is there, but right now, he’s still learning how to handle the pace and physicality of the North American game.
In goal, Vadim Zherenko has been serviceable, posting an 8-8-4 record with a .899 save percentage. Those numbers won’t turn heads, but goaltender development is rarely linear-and at just 24 years old, Zherenko still has time to take a step forward. He’s shown flashes, and consistency will be the next hurdle.
The Road Ahead
The Blues may be stuck in the mud this season, but there’s reason to believe better days are coming. The current NHL roster has its struggles, no doubt, but the organization isn’t devoid of talent.
Between the rookies getting valuable reps in St. Louis and the prospects grinding away in Springfield, the next wave is already taking shape.
It won’t happen overnight. There are still plenty of questions to answer, and development is never a straight line. But if the Blues can stay patient and continue to invest in their youth, they might just build something worth watching again-sooner rather than later.