The St. Louis Blues are right on the doorstep of being in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are also on the brink of losing everything, with a red-hot Calgary Flames team on their heels.
If the Blues make it into the postseason, is it too far-fetched to say that the two rookies on this roster could get some time on the ice? Should it happen? Is it too soon in their development?
Snuggerud and Dvorsky
The emergence of Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky has been a fresh and exciting experience. Both players have had so much hype surrounding them throughout their early hockey careers, and to see it panning out in real time is something special. The Blues front office knew what they had drafting these two in the first round of their respective drafts, and has shown a great ability to draft in the last few years.
Snuggerud has appeared in five games with the Blues and has contributed a pair of assists. He has been electric with the puck, showcasing great hands and solid skating ability. With top-six minutes and head coach Jim Montgomery’s faith in his ability to be on the powerplay, he will have a great chance to be a solid player.
Dvorsky has seen two games of action with a considerable gap between them. He has yet to generate a point in the NHL, but he has learned a lot in those two games to shine at the AHL level in between.
Too soon and which one?
Of these two forwards, it would make sense that if Dylan Holloway is ready to come back from injury for the playoffs, only one of them will be kept. If that is the case, it is obvious who it will be.
Snuggerud should see playoff action and potentially be an everyday NHLer in 2025-26 from the start. He can be a great asset; his performance through five games this season proves that. If the Blues can make it in, so should Snuggerud.
For Dvorsky, it might be too early to give him a go in the playoffs, plus there might not be room for him. He is the odd man out in this situation.