The St. Louis Blues' prospect pool is off and running this season, and it is time to take a look at how the players are performing.
For this exercise, each player has been measured against their own results from the past two seasons, and their current performances this season up through Nov. 12th. The samples are still small, but plenty to seeing some noticable changes.
Risers
Tynan Lawrence, C, Boston University
Boston University's top line center is the easiest call on the board. The 18-year-old has nine goals and 14 points in 11 NCAA games this season. His 1.08 points per game pace has drastically risen from his 0.39 in 18 games with the Terriers last season. He is currently averaging around 18:45 of ice time, taking 3.5 shots per game, and posting a 55% Corsi-For. His nine goals have come on 42 shots at a 21% clip, so there could be some regression coming. However, his volume and overall possession metrics are proving that Lawrence is benefiting from hard work, not just puck luck.
Colin Fitzgerald, RW, Soo Greyhounds
Fitzgerald has nearly doubled his scoring pace. The 18-year-old has nine goals and 19 points in 21 games in the OHL after a 0.49 pace over his two previous seasons in the OHL. He is shooting the puck more, with nearly 3.6 per game and is getting close to four minutes a night on the power play.
Dmitri Buchelnikov, RW, CSKA Moskva
One of the newest members of the Blues' prospect pipeline, Russian forward Dmitri Buchelnikov was acquired in the Justin Faulk trade to the Detroit Red Wings. The 23-year-old has nine goals and 12 points in 25 KHL games. His goal totals are up to 0.36 per game from 0.28 per game a year ago, while keeping a steady 55% Corsi-For rating.
Steady
Otto Stenberg, LW, St. Louis Blues/Springfield Thunderbirds
The Swedish forward has been holding his ground while splitting time between St. Louis and Springfield over the past two seasons. The 21-year-old already has six points in 14 NHL games, averaging roughly 0.43 per game after pacing around 0.37 over the past two seasons. He has been averaging 16:32 of ice time, including 1:47 per game on the penalty kill. Stenberg has work to do with a 45% Corsi rating, but is still profiling as a reliable two-way forward.
Love Härenstam, G, Södertälje SK
Arguably the top goaltending prospect in the system, Härenstam is staying in the 'Steady' category because little has changed. He has a .919 save percentage and 2.11 goals against average over 16 appearances. He has been steady, if not flat out spectacular for his team.
Colin Ralph, D, Springfield Thunderbirds
Defenseman Colin Ralph has adjusted well the pro game and has been earning a bigger role as a result. The 21-year-old has one point in 13 AHL games, and his 43% Corsi-For has stayed the same so far after a 44% rating in 14 AHL games last season. His biggest change has been his usage. He is playing nearly four additional minutes per night on the penalty kill, and around 18:24 per game in total.
Dropping
Juraj Pekarcik, F, Springfield Thunderbirds
Pekarcik has not found his footing yet with Springfield, and his deployment has taken a hit because of it. The 21-year-old has four points in 13 games this season, dropping from a 0.44 per game pace last season. His shots have also fallen from 0.69 per game to 0.38. His possession numbers have continued to hover around 46% year over year, but his lack of offensive production has certainly raised flags.
Simon Robertsson, F, Springfield Thunderbirds
Robertsson's placement here is more about a drop in opportunity than it is his production. The 23-year-old is getting closer to aging out of the prospect status and has only three points in six AHL games. One of his biggest problems is his health. The forward cannot seem to stay healthy, but has remained strong a very healthy 59% Corsi-for rating, up from only 37% a year ago.
Zach Dean, C, Springfield Thunderbirds
Springfield center Zach Dean is entering into a pivotal season with restricted free agency looming and the production is trending in the wrong direction. He opened the season with the Blues, went scoreless through three games witha 27% Corsi-for rating, and was reassigned. In five AHL games, he has two points and a 41% Corsi-for. Eight games here is a small sample size, but Dean will need to find his two-way game if he intends to have another shot in the NHL one day.
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