Preseason hockey, especially the first game of the preseason, is rarely about the final score. In a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, the St. Louis Blues did not need to show seamless midseason execution, but an identity. The Blues and the 6-foot-4 forward prospect Dylan Peterson showed what makes him both an unlikely candidate for the Opening Night roster and a dangerous dark horse to crash it before camp breaks.
On paper, Peterson's state line looked like a fairly standard bottom-six forward. With 12:21 of ice time across six shifts, he delivered three hits, three shots on goal, a takeaway and a minus-one rating. It was his third period that truly pushed his game over the edge.
Peterson had been a wrecking ball all game, and it only took 1:47 into the third period for him to drop the gloves with Kyle Burroughs and get the crowd on their feet for the young man. His performance even earned him some postgame praise from Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery.
Montgomery noted Peterson's relentless competitiveness and high-energy forechecking, calling him someone the crowd naturally wanted because he carries "that kind of Blues spirit."
The AHL remains Peterson's likely starting spot
Even with the great first impression, Peterson still faces an uphill battle to make the Opening Night roster. The Blues already have a crowded group of veteran forwards locked into bottom-six roles. While Peterson brings the size and energy needed to play at least a fourth-line role, the NHL is a tough grind. Peterson is a player who needs to continue to master the little details like defensive positioning, managing the puck under pressure, and penalty killing.
Sending him to the Springfield Thunderbirds allows him to play top-six minutes, help develop his game under Thunderbirds Head Coach Steve Ott, and build his confidence instead of sitting in the press box as an extra forward in St. Louis.
How he could crash the roster
It is games like Peterson's that "unknown" prospects steal NHL roster spots.
Montgomery needs his team to play fast, direct, and heavy. Peterson gave him an exact preview of what a high-energy fourth-liner that he could be. He didn't just throw hits and fight; he tied for the team's second-highest shots on goal and showed he can turn a hard forecheck into offensive pressure.
If Peterson can continue playing with this kind of physical presence while playing a solid all-around defensive game, he's going to make the coaching staff's decision very difficult. Veterans provide the safety, but Peterson brings an identity this team and fanbase craves. He might still be destined for Springfield to start the year, but he isn't going to make that decision easy for anyone.
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