The St. Louis Blues have made five first-round picks since the 2021 draft, including three in the 2023 draft. Each of these five prospects is one of his most important players in the club's system. They represent an important part of the franchise's future. Let's take a deep dive into these five players and their performance this season.
Bolduc earns playing time in NHL
Zachary Bolduc, 21, has played in 10 NHL games this season after spending most of this season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the American Hockey League (AHL). The club made the right decision to use him this season as they struggle to stay in playoff contention, as this is the perfect time for him to get an NHL opportunity. He is still young and has plenty of room to grow offensively at this level.
Bolduc has one goal and a plus-minus of 2 through 10 games. Granted, the numbers aren't going to jump out at you, and that's not surprising, but he's been more than capable of doing the little things lately. He averages just 10 minutes and 31 seconds of ice time, but like Jake Nabors, that could increase even more over the next few seasons. The Blues have shown an ability to develop high-level talent over the past six seasons. Forwards like Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Nabors are prime examples of quality development. I was impressed with the small improvements Bolduc made through his 10 games. He has enough time to find his footing at this level and I believe he will.
Snuggerud lights a lamp in Minnesota
The Blues' 2022 first-round pick was winger Jimmy Snageld. He has been one of the best goal scorers in college hockey at the University of Minnesota over the past two seasons. What impressed me most from watching him play in Minnesota and at the World Junior Championship against the United States was his lethal shot. He has scored 41 goals in 76 games over the last two seasons with Minnesota, including 20 this season after elite linemates Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies departed. ing. He also has 10 goals in 13 World Junior games for the U.S. over the past two years, including one of the top players on the gold medal-winning 2024 team.
Related: Blues prospect Jimmy Snageld's floor and ceiling
I think Snageld has legitimate potential to score 40 goals in the NHL and could potentially play alongside Thomas on the Blues in the near future. He could get playing time with the club next season and could play in a few games if he signs an entry-level contract after the season ends in Minnesota. I'm bullish on Snageld's potential. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a cornerstone of the franchise within the next five years.
Stenberg and Lindstein find their way
The Blues had three first-round picks in the 2023 draft. They used the 25th overall pick on Swedish center Otto Stenberg and the 29th overall pick on Swedish defenseman Theo Lindstein.
Starting with Stenberg, Bofors IK has scored 9 points in 9 games. This performance is solid for an 18-year-old, as he plays in his second highest level of Swedish hockey in his league. Before moving to Bofors IK, he was playing the highest level of Swedish hockey in his league, scoring his 6 goals in 31 games. He had an excellent performance at the World Juniors for Sweden, scoring nine goals in seven games. The versatility Stenberg brings as a prospect will be something the club will keep an eye on over the next few seasons as he approaches the NHL.
As for Lindstein, he has the potential to become the club's best defensive candidate within the next few seasons. He represented Sweden at the World Juniors, scoring 6 assists and 8 points in 7 games. He's a mobile skater and moves the puck well, so I think he'll fit well in the Blues' system.
Dvorsky has an electric season as a junior.
With the 10th overall pick in the 2023 draft, the Blues selected Slovakian center Dalibor Dvorski. He has the potential to be a No. 1 center, and they need that more than anything right now. There are a lot of questions right now about the core depth of their system after Thomas.
Dvorski started the season with Oskarshamn IK in the highest level Swedish Hockey League. The team was bad and they had zero points in 10 games, so they ended up coming to North America. The Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) own his rights, so he has spent the past few months with them. He did exactly what I would expect from an 18-year-old first-round prospect in the OHL: domination.
Dvorski appeared in 46 games for the Timberwolves, scoring 38 goals and dishing out 36 assists for 74 total points. He'll be ready for the AHL next season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it to the NHL as well.
The Blues have strengthened their promising future talent.
With the acquisition of all of these first-round picks since the 2021 draft, the Blues have done a great job of bolstering their top end of prospects. He scored 20 goals in his 21-year-old season, so it looks like he will be a great selection for Neighbors in 2020. I think General Manager Doug Armstrong needs to embrace the St. Louis youth movement and let the kids play. Bolduc, Matthew Kessel and Zach Dean have been called up this season and are showing signs of being open to that. Either way, the club is poised to acquire more prospects as the 2024 draft approaches.
