Welcome back.

It’s time to kick off Daily Faceoff’s second annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

The criteria for being labeled a “prospect” are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Skaters over 23 years old are not included, with goaltenders needing to be 25 or under.

Today, we’re looking at the St. Louis Blues.

They aren’t in a full rebuild, but few teams have boosted their pipeline over the past two years as much as the St. Louis Blues.

In 2023, Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, and Theo Lindstein were all selected in the first round. This past June, they added Adam Jiricek, Colin Ralph, Lukas Fischer, Ondrej Kos, and Adam Jecho. Size, skill, and speed were all addressed in massive ways over two drafts. The one thing they didn’t tackle? Goaltending, but they can play the patient game with Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer with the big club.

The Blues are still a few years away from being a contender again, and while there isn’t a truly legit star prospect in the system right now, they’ve got plenty of options to choose from throughout the lineup. They still have their 2025 first-rounder and two third-rounders, and, who knows? Maybe they aren’t done bringing in more assets via trade. It’s going to be a rough few years while the Blues try and figure this out, especially as the GM job gets handed to Alexander Steen.

But right now, there are plenty of reasons for Blues fans to keep checking in on the future:

Biggest Strengths

This group has a ton of center depth, which is never a bad thing. Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg have experience at both center and the wing, and I imagine both will move over once they get to the NHL. Zachary Bolduc, Zach Dean, and Adam Jecho are all natural centermen with the chance of being impact options deeper down in the lineup. While they might not have a true No. 1 center, having options all throughout the lineup is still a good start.

Biggest Weakness

Even after adding Jiricek in the first round, the Blues’ right-handed defensive depth leaves a lot to be desired. Jeremie Biakabutuka, Samuel Johannesson and William McIsaac are the only others in the system right now, and I feel confident in saying none of them will be impact NHLers. Johannesson has the best shot, but he’s 23 and finally coming over to North America for the first time. They better hope Jiricek pans out.

Fast Facts:
NHL GM: Doug Armstrong
Dir. of Amateur Scouting: Tony Feltrin
AHL Affiliate: Springfield Thunderbirds
ECHL Affiliate: Florida Everblades

*Jimmy Snuggerud (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, 20 (University of Minnesota, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 23rd overall, first round in 2022

After all the hype that Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley got at the University of Minnesota in 2022-23, Snuggerud seemed underrated. He had 50 points that year, and was Minnesota’s best player this past season while doing a bit more heavy lifting. Snuggerud also has gained success on the international stage, helping the U.S. take home bronze at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2023, before helping the Americans take home gold in Sweden this past January. Minnesota should remain competitive this year, and I think Snuggerud will have a chance to establish himself as one of the best players in the country. But after that, there’s no excuse for Snuggerud to not turn pro. I think he’s not far from being ready to step in and make an impact with the Blues.

2. Dalibor Dvorský, C/RW, 19 (Sudbury, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 10th overall, first round in 2023

After starting the season in the SHL – and failing to register a point in 10 games – Dvorský joined the Sudbury Wolves and quickly became one of the most dominant forces in the OHL. He played with quality teammates, but Dvorský had 45 goals and 88 points in just 52 games – just bonkers numbers for an 18-year-old in his first year in North America. Now set for a sophomore campaign and a whopping fourth appearance at the World Juniors, I’m expecting Dvorský to turn even more heads and potentially establish himself as the best prospect in the Blues’ system. Some think he is already. Others want to see him put up good production against higher competition and be a bit more consistent. For what it’s worth, I think the gap between Dvorský and Snuggerud isn’t big, and I think Dvorský is going to be a key piece of the Blues’ franchise moving forward.

3. Otto Stenberg, C/LW, 19 (Malmo, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 25th overall, first round in 2023

*Otto Stenberg (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

At 19, Stenberg is already set for his third year of SHL action. He had a difficult time producing with Frolunda but mainly played a depth role and still managed to impress. He was one of Sweden’s best players at the World Juniors last winter and should be a driving force behind the team’s efforts in Ottawa again this year. Now with Malmo, I think Stenberg is bound to be more productive, especially after finishing the season off by being one of BIK Karlskoga’s most important players down the stretch in the second-tier Allsvenskan. Stenberg is creative, loves to shoot in open space, and doesn’t lose many battles along the boards, and I can see him being a middle-six NHL threat in a couple of years.

4.Theo Lindstein, LHD, 19 (Brynas, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 29th overall, first round in 2023

There’s so much to love about Lindstein’s game. At the 2024 World Junior Championship, Lindstein went from being a late addition to becoming one of the best defensemen in the tournament in almost every facet. He was one of the best puck-movers, he scored and shut guys down defensively. I’d say he started better than he finished, but Lindstein proved he should have been on this team from the get-go. Then, at the most recent World Junior Summer Showcase, I thought Lindstein was easily one of the most consistent players throughout the tournament. I expect him to play a big role with the team again this year, and I can’t wait to see his continued progress with Brynas after the club earns a promotion to the SHL.

5. Adam Jiříček, RHD, 18 (Plzen, Czechia)

Acquired: Drafted 16th overall, first round in 2024

Jiricek was injured at the World Juniors and missed the rest of the year after and still hasn’t skated yet. His draft stock is going to take a huge blow, especially after just a so-so run with HC Plzen in the top Czech league. However, the fact he was playing against men at a young age can’t be understated, and if he’s anything like his brother, David, he could still emerge as a great value pickup. The 6-foot-2 defender had one assist in 19 pro games but was a key part of the Czechs’ national junior program, playing nearly 20 games between the U-18 and U-20 teams. I think Jiříček has the potential to be one of the team’s most important young players, but with so much missed time in 2023-24, and the fact he hadn’t skated in any meaningful way heading into the draft, I am nervous. But I’m still a believer at the same time, and I’m excited to see what he can accomplish.

6. Zachary Bolduc, C, 21 (Springfield, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 17th overall, first round in 2021

*Zack Bolduc (Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports)*

Bolduc got his first taste of pro hockey last year, scoring five goals and nine points in 25 NHL games at play at a half-point per game pace in 50 AHL contests. From an overall standpoint, I thought Bolduc had a decent time adjusting to pro after scoring consecutive 50-goal seasons in the Q. When Bolduc is on his game, he’s one of the most creative forwards in St. Louis’ system and can really dazzle with some high-IQ moves. But consistency was definitely an issue, although not an isolated one for high-output junior scorers moving to the AHL and no longer being “the guy.” So I’m not too worried, and I think Bolduc can still develop into a solid secondary scorer in this organization. Starting off strong in 2024-25 will be key, though.

7. Colin Ralph, LHD, 18 (St. Cloud State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 48th overall, second round in 2024

Ralph produced at more than a point-per-game with SSM this year, which, mixed with his big 6-foot-4, 227-pound frame, is intriguing. The St. Cloud State University commit never played in the USHL like many of his peers, but he’s a projectable defender who’s hard to beat due to how mobile he is with his big frame. He’s got all the tools to become a physically strong offensive defenseman with good hockey IQ. You combine it all together and you have someone that teams crave for the playoffs. Going straight to college will be a big test for him, but he should have no issue dealing with the physicality of it.

8. Lukas Fischer, LHD, 18 (Sarnia, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted 56th overall, second round in 2024

Fischer is one of the youngest players in this draft class, but at 6-foot-4, he’s easy to notice. He’s not physically built strong and I feel like that could be an issue for him at the next level, but there’s raw potential thanks to his quality skating and his active offensive game. There’s so much upside you see in his game; it wasn’t uncommon for him to be Sarnia’s best player this year. But when he wasn’t playing at his best, it was noticeable for all the wrong reasons. If the Blues are patient with him, I can see the toolsy defenseman paying off. For what it’s worth, I thought he had a solid showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase earlier in August.

9. Zach Dean, C, 21 (Springfield, AHL)

Acquired: Traded by Vegas Golden Knights in 2023

*Zach Dean (Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)*

It wasn’t a great first year of pro hockey for Dean, who had a nine-game stint with the Blues but failed to put up a point. He also had 14 points in 49 AHL games with Springfield, and he just didn’t seem to be as physically engaged as we’ve seen from him in the past. It was like he was too nervous to make a mistake, and it hurt him. But you saw the flashes of great hockey he’s capable of and I think an elevated role with the Firebirds should give a fighting chance to become an impact player one day. I want to see him improve his defensive commitment because if he’s going to end up being a checking forward, Dean will need to be more rounded as a starting point.

10. Adam Jecho, C, 18 (Edmonton, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 95th overall, third round in 2024

Jecho is big at 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds, making it difficult to move off the puck. He skates well, too, which makes him a bit scarier to opponents having to deal with along the boards. Jecho has been a mainstay in international competition for quite some time, but his play at the U-18 World Championship was by far his best. He played all situations, managed the point on the power play, and rarely lost battles in the middle. I think Jecho will top out as a bottom-six player, but I think his size and mobility make him intriguing. Plus, I get the sense that his teammates really like him.

Other prospects: Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, C (20), Juraj Pekarcik, LW (18), Dylan Peterson, C (22), Simon Robertsson, RW (21), Jakub Stancl, LW (19), Tanner Dickinson, C (22), Antoine Dorion, c (18), Matvei Korotky, C (18), Ondrej Kos, LW (18), Tomas Mrsic, C (18), Nikita Susuyev, RW (19), Ivan Vorobyov, C (22), William McIsaac, RHD (18), Quinton Burns, LHD (19), Matthew Mayich, LHD (19), Arseni Koromyslov, LHD (20), Samuel Johannesson, RHD (23), Leo Loof, LHD (22), Michael Buchinger, LHD (20), Jeremie Biakabutuka, RHD (22), Marc-Andre Gaudet, LHD (20), Vadim Zherenko, G (23), Will Cranley, G (22), Colten Ellis, G (23)