St. Louis Blues rookie sensation Dalibor Dvorsky is making waves at the Olympics, setting a new benchmark for NHL rookies with six points-three goals and three assists-in a standout elimination game against Germany in Milan. This performance is exactly what the Blues hoped for when they snagged him with a top-ten draft pick.
Back in St. Louis, head coach Jim Montgomery will need to capitalize on Dvorsky’s rising star potential.
Earlier in the Olympics, we noted that his emergence as a high-impact player could make a Robert Thomas trade more feasible. His dazzling 6-2 victory over Germany only strengthens that argument.
While Dvorsky's NHL stats-nine goals, six assists, totaling 15 points in 47 games-might not jump off the page, they come with a caveat. He's been playing in a limited role, averaging just 14:30 of ice time, typical for a third-liner.
However, Thomas's injury has opened the door for Dvorsky, increasing his ice time to an average of 16:45 per game. In these ten games, he's notched five points and has been a key player in power play situations.
Even with Thomas's return on the horizon after the Olympic break, Dvorsky has earned his shot at a top-six role, whether as a second-line center or on the wing of the top line. It would be a missed opportunity for Montgomery to push him back to a bottom-six position after such an impressive Olympic showing.