St. Louis Blues’ Dmitrij Jaskin Poised For Breakout

By Andrew Martin |

Apr 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (19) and right wing Dmitrij Jaskin (23) and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) and center Patrik Berglund (21) and center David Backes (42) prepare to face the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blues defeat the Stars 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

When T.J. Oshie was traded to the Washington Capitals, a gaping hole at RW emerged. Rather than try and make Troy Brouwer the new Oshie, the St. Louis Blues would be wise to look at the young talent on the roster.

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On opening day last season RW Dmitrij Jaskin was cut from the final roster and sent to the minors. Jaskin was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 2nd round in 2011. The native of Omsk, Russia, could see extended time in the NHL this season after a promising campaign in 2014-2015.

Jaskin told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “When you’re here and you see everybody around, that gives you a little more push to work harder. I know what to expect now. I thought I knew last year, but I didn’t. But this year, I know what to expect.”

Jaskin appears to be ready to be a regular addition to the lineup this year for the St. Louis Blues. Last season he played in 54 games and 13 goals with 5 assists. I believe he could be an option for Ken Hitchcock and the Blues at RW on the 2nd line this season. He is only 22-years-old, and has a great deal to learn, but has the talent necessary to feature for the Note.

Blues fans will want to see his goal total increase this season, especially in the playoffs. He had 1 assist in last year’s postseason, which fans of the Note would like to see increase as well.

It’s easy to sit here and speculate who should improve in next year’s postseason, but we are a long way off from that point. It takes a full season to be ready for the big dance next year, and the St. Louis Blues need to figure out a way to keep their top players in game-shape fitness deep into the season. This is where the depth of the St. Louis Blues will be most important.

Young players like Jaskin, Petteri Lindbohm, and Robby Fabbri, will be key pieces to that equation. All represent solid depth at their positions and should see ample time to hone their skills throughout the year. Barring unforeseen circumstance, the Blues should claim a top playoff spot, and the young core will be looked upon to carry them.

Jaskin’s pace and skill on the wing for the Blues should be a point of interest as the season kicks off. Hitchcock would do well to figure out the best line pairings and stick with them to give the young Blues some familiarity with their line-mates heading into the playoffs.

Brouwer will be looked upon as another veteran leader, but may be better suited as a 3rd line forward with captain, David Backes. Whether Hitchcock will reciprocate that view is another matter. Until we have some games to see how the young Blues fare, that decision will be up in the air. One thing is for sure, the Blues have a stable of young talent that Hitch needs to figure out how to utilize before the postseason.

Next: Gomez Gets PTO With St. Louis

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