The St. Louis Blues have a very young and promising core, partially headlined by center prospect Dalibor Dvorsky.
Last season, Dvorsky cracked the NHL roster for two games and showed off his impressive hockey skills and IQ. While his skating leaves something to be desired, he is a very cerebral playmaker who has shown he can already make an impact at the NHL level.
This would lead one to think he will get another chance with the NHL club this coming season, but is there room for Dvorsky on the roster as it currently stands? Will a move have to be made to make room for the young forward?
Playing time?
Right now, as the Blues roster stands, there are three definitely complete lines being the first, second, and fourth lines. The third line would be the only place for Dalibor Dvorsky to fit, but he'd have to beat out several other players for the spot.
Pius Suter likely has the 3C role locked in (at least for the time being), meaning there are now two remaining spots, and if Jake Neighbours plays on the third line like he is expected to, that number is down to one. For Dvorsky to make this roster, he'd have to beat out some combination of Nick Bjugstad, Oskar Sundqvist, Mathieu Joseph, and Alexandre Texier to earn a third-line winger role.
This speaks to the depth of the Blues this season, although this may be a case where more depth is hurtful. There are just too many mouths to feed and not enough ice time to go around in a given night.
Furthermore, Dvorsky would be playing in limited minutes even if he does get on the ice as a 20-year-old forward playing on the third line. He might be splitting time with a veteran player such as Mathieu Joseph to keep his body healthy and not overwork him.
Is this kind of environment really conducive to growth? Would it be better for Dvorsky to just stick in the AHL and continue to prove he's one of the best center prospects in the game at a lower level?
Any minutes are good minutes
I think Dvorsky will crack a spot on this roster at some point during the season and will prove that he deserves it over the aforementioned names.
Dvorsky is still learning how to skate in his growing body, but his offensive tools are already better than those of the previously mentioned names at just 20 years old. And if he gets NHL ice time, that is only going to help his development.
A more sheltered role for Dvorsky would be ideal for his growth at this point in his aging curve. He still has a lot to learn on the ice, and taking the pressure off by having him split time or play reduced ice minutes would help him be able to make mistakes and learn how to adapt to the NHL level.
Any minutes in the NHL would be good minutes for Dvorsky's development. The kid is so young and promising that the Blues should be smart about his deployment, and I think how they have things structured gives Dvorsky a chance to compete while still aiding in his growth as a skater.