While many hockey players, prospects, and front office staff are enjoying the summer break away at the cottage, that doesn't mean preparations for the 2025-26 season aren't already underway. This is especially true of prospects and young players who aren't guaranteed a roster spot--they need to impress the coaching staff and bang down the door to make the NHL squad. Here are three Blues prospects that will need to make the most of the preseason to make the big club.
Dalibor Dvorsky
This one is a no-brainer. The 10th-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Dvorsky should be close to making the leap from the AHL to the NHL. Despite the draft pedigree, Dvorsky will have his work cut out for him during the preseason; signing Pius Suter and Nick Bjugstad gives the Blues a fair bit of strength down the middle, and, for the sake of development, Dvorsky shouldn't be used on the fourth line too much. If he wants to earn NHL minutes at center, he'll have to beat out a couple of veterans--and maybe even captain Brayden Schenn--for the opportunity.
On the other hand, if the NHL pace at center proves too much for Dvorsky to adapt to out of the gate, the Blues could certainly use his help on the wings. The Blues' top line will clearly feature Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, but beyond that? The rest of the top nine is up for grabs--and Dvorsky will need to show he's ready for the job during the preseason.
Jimmy Snuggerud
Snuggerud looked good in his cup of coffee with the Blues last season, but nothing is promised for a 21-year-old player. While it seems likely that Snuggerud will make the roster to start the season, a poor showing at camp could hinder his chances. If he bombs in the preseason, perhaps the Blues will see fit to give him a short stint in the AHL to find his footing.
Logan Mailloux
Yes, even the newcomer who arrived in exchange for Zach Bolduc, has to prove he deserves to be on the NHL club. Mailloux is 22, so a bit older than Snuggerud and Dvorsky, but is still on his Entry-Level Contract, which means he's similarly exempt from waivers. It would be embarrassing for the Blues if Mailloux blows it at camp and needs to be sent to the AHL, considering what they gave up to acquire him, but a bad preseason is a bad preseason. It doesn't matter how he got to the Blues; Mailloux needs to prove to his new coaching staff that he belongs in the NHL, just like the other young players.