Blues fans get ready, hockey is back. The St. Louis Blues gear up for the fourth annual Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase, set for Sept. 13-15. Fans will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the talented prospects within the organization.
The Blues won’t have several former first-rounders in attendance — Jimmy Snuggerud, Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, and Adam Jiricek — as they prepare for their seasons in their respective leagues.
However, fans will see how the B and C-level prospects in the system look and fair against the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild prospects.
View the original article to see embedded media.
As we prepare for the prospect showcase, below we highlight five players from the Blues who fans should be keeping an eye on this weekend.
Dalibor Dvorsky
Credit: Sammi Silber/The Hockey News
This one is a no-brainer. Not only will every single Blues fan focus on Dalibor Dvorsky and his every move at the showcase but so will the management team.
As mentioned in several summer articles, Dvorsky is preparing himself to challenge for a spot on the Blues’ opening night roster. St. Louis’s 10th overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft will have every opportunity to showcase his talent and complete game at this weekend’s showcase. He along with Zachary Bolduc should be the team’s top performers.
One key area to watch for Dvorsky is his creativity and skill level in one-on-one scenarios. He’s not necessarily a flashy puck handler, but can he create more time and space for himself with his hands in tight spaces, and then use it effectively to elevate his playmaking upside?
Zachary Bolduc
© Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Zachary Bolduc is also expected to challenge for a roster spot in training camp. But, the acquisitions of Dylan Holloway and Mathieu Joseph mean that the Quebec native will have to work ten times harder to make the opening lineup.
It’s not a hyperbolic statement to suggest that Bolduc should dominate this showcase. He played 25 games in the NHL last year, scored five goals and nine points, and earned reps playing in the top six to end the year. He and Dvorsky should be driving the offense for St. Louis this weekend.
Has his puck management and tenacity in his off-puck play improved? Those two aspects of his game need refining if he wants to be a full-time NHL player. He’s got an above-average skill set and is an excellent skater who can drive the offense, but he’s prone to forcing plays and turning the puck over.