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St. Louis Blues: Prospects That Might Make The Jump

By Todd Panula

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tage Thompson poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-six overall draft pick by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tage Thompson poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-six overall draft pick by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 22, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn (29) reaches for the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Columbus won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Vince Dunn (29) reaches for the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Columbus won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports /

Vince Dunn

Speaking of offensive defensemen, Vince Dunn is probably the next guy to get a look now that Jordan Schmaltz has officially suited up. Dunn has quickly risen up the depth charts in his brief time under the Blues’ umbrella.

Drafted in 2015, he already got a full season with the Chicago Wolves in 2016-17. In that time Dunn has already shown an ability to score.

In 64 games, Dunn has 38 points. He has 12 goals and is a plus-14.

Additionally, Dunn has been a big reason the Wolves have turned their season around. Chicago got off to a rough start despite some good performances from individuals such as Dunn.

Their coach, Craig Berube, got everyone to buy into his system and it has paid dividends. The individual performances were still there, as proven by Dunn’s offensive performances and yet the team results followed as well.

Like Walman, the Blues don’t need Dunn to be a huge goal scorer. If he was a solid powerplay contributor, kept up his current steak of 30-plus points in the last four years, the team would be set.

Dunn might need to get a little bigger. He is currently listed at 187 lbs.

That is not exactly small, but the NHL is a different monster. Even if he doesn’t get much bigger, he might need to get stronger just to go through the rigors of an NHL season.

On the flip side of that argument, Dunn is slippery enough to avoid being outsized. His work ethic has given him plenty of opportunity to out work his opponents and he does just that.

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