Dread_Pirate_Westley wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:08 am
Pronmon has updated the prospect rankings post draft. Blues are ranked 18th. They were 29th last year.
I think most interesting is Bolduc doesn't get mentioned til #7. He greatly questions his compete level and think he's too content to just play on the perimeter.
Here's the top five.
Player Ranking
1. Dalibor Dvorsky, C
6/15/2005 | 6-foot-1 | 200 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 10 in 2023
Tier: Top of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Dvorsky is quite dangerous inside the offensive zone. He has excellent puck skills in small areas and can make checkers miss routinely in open ice. He can make tough plays and find seams. He excels as a goal scorer, though, with a wrist shot and one-timer that he can often finish from range. Dvorsky’s compete is good, he wins puck battles and he isn’t shy from using his body. Like a lot of shooters, he can stay too much on the perimeter instead of taking it to the net, but I never watch his games and think he lacks effort. His footspeed is going to be an issue for higher levels. I think with his offensive talent, his work ethic and strong and consistent track record of scoring he finds a way to become a very important part of an NHL lineup, but I’m less sure of whether he sticks down the middle or has to be a winger due to his skating.
2. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW
6/1/2004 | 6-foot-1 | 186 pounds | Shoots right
Drafted: No. 23 in 2022
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: Snuggerud had a great season. He was a big part of the success of Minnesota’s top line and was one of the better forwards at the world juniors. Snuggerud is full of skill and offensive creativity. He makes difficult dekes and passes seem routine and despite not having great footspeed he generates a lot of controlled entries with his skill. Inside the zone, he’s a pass and shot threat and can impact a power play. Snuggerud has a decent frame, competes hard for pucks and can generate offense at the net. His skating is the only real issue in his game, but everything else says top six wing which is what I think he projects as.
3. Otto Stenberg, C
5/29/2005 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 25 in 2023
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Analysis: There is a lot to like about Stenberg’s game. He is a strong skater with good hands who can be a threat in transition. His shot is excellent, and Stenberg is often a threat to score from the faceoff dots, although I don’t know if that will be his role on an NHL power play. Stenberg isn’t the biggest forward, but he gives an honest effort every night and doesn’t shy from going into traffic. His hockey sense is good enough to score at higher levels, and he’s certainly more of a shooter than a passer. He’s listed as a center but is likely a pro winger. I could see him as a second or third line wing in the NHL.
4. Jake Neighbours, LW
3/29/2002 | 6-feet | 201 pounds | Shoots left
Drafted: No. 26 in 2020
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Analysis: Neighbours split time as a rookie pro between the AHL and NHL putting up solid but not amazing numbers. He has strong puck skills and offensive instincts and a decent shot, but I don’t think pure offense is what Neighbours is going to be known for. He is a true competitor, though, who doesn’t shy from getting involved in physical play, kills penalties well and gives a good effort every game. His skating is average but the work ethic should be good enough to compensate to become a middle six wing.
5. Zach Dean, C
1/4/2003 | 6-feet | 176 pounds | Shoots left
Acquired via trade
Tier: Middle of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end
Analysis: Dean was very good in his final QMJHL season and made Canada’s U20 team. He’s not going to land on many highlight reels, but Dean has a lot of NHL qualities. He has good speed and hands, and projects to create controlled exits and entries at the NHL level. He’s a competitive forward who has a physical edge in his game. Dean isn’t the most prolific scorer ever, but he has an excellent shot that can beat pro goalies from range. He has the qualities to be a middle six forward, and if he stays down the middle he could be a 3C.
https://theathletic.com/4793929/2023/08 ... -rankings/
