Yahoo Sports St. Louis Blues prospects Gameday Lineup: vs. Chicago Blackhawks
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- St. Louis Blues prospects will kick off the 2024 Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase today at 7 p.m. when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Centene Community Ice Center.
Dalibor Dvorsky, the 10th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, will be one of the featured players for the Blues and will begin his quest of trying to make the opening night roster this year.
Dvorsky will line up as a center playing alongside Juraj Pekarcik (third round, 2023) and Simon Robertsson (third round, 2021).
"I've played with [Pekarcik] at the U-18, the World Juniors last season as well," Dvorsky said. "He's a great player, really good passer. He makes amazing plays but same thing with Simon Robertsson as well. He's a great player. Won the USHL last year. I'm happy to have those two guys on my line.
"[Robertsson] has a really good shot also. He makes great plays. He's strong on the puck as well. We're all good friends off the ice and I think that helps as well. I'm looking forward to playing with Juraj and Simon."
- - -
One intriguing line has Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (third round, 2022) playing with Zack Bolduc (17th overall, 2021) and Zach Dean (30th overall, 2021).
Kaskimaki, who spent the past two seasons playing for HIFK in Sweden's top league, the Swedish Elite League, continues to grow in the organization's depth chart after a very steady, smooth showing at the 2024 World Junior Championship for Finland.
"It's exciting. It's my first tournament," Kaskimaki said. "I'm really excited and it's been fun. I just want to show my best. I haven't played in North America and show my skills and try to help the team win.
"I just try to compete hard every day and do the work every day and stay on the right path. Just try to work on mt strengths and try to get better every day.
"Playing two seasons with the grown men. I think it's been different than playing in juniors. It has helped me a lot. There have been a lot of older guys who have played in the NHL or played in Europe's top leagues. It has helped a lot."
- - -
Dylan Peterson (third round, 2020), who signed a two-year, entry-level contract on April 24, got his first pro experience by playing in three games with Springfield of the American Hockey League at the end of last season after spending four years playing for Boston University.
"I'm grateful to be down here," Peterson said. "Expectations, I don't have too many. I've been down here for like a month now. We're going to play the game hard and fast, and that's what I expect from everyone. It'll be good."
Steve Konowalchuk, Springfield's new coach hired on May 20, is simply looking for, "Energy and compete. We'll do a little bit of structure, but I don't want to get too much into it. It's too short of a tournament. You can paralyze guys and then they're getting out there and they're thinking too much, so it's a little bit of structure, but for the most part, let's go play on our toes, let's play with energy and good compete."
- - -
The Blues' projected lineup:
Aleksanteri Kaskimaki-Zach Dean-Zack Bolduc
Juraj Pekarcik-Dalibor Dvorsky-Simon Robertsson
Jakub Stancl-Adam Jecho-Dylan Peterson
Tomas Mrsic-Tanner Dickinson-Jake Gudelj
Quinton Burns-Michael Buchinger
Marc-Andre Gaudet-Lukas Fischer
Matthew Mayich-Will McIsaac
Vadim Zherenko is projected to start in goal; Will Cranley would be the backup.
The healthy scratch includes Antoine Dorion. Adam Jiricek, the 16th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has been skating with the prospects but is not listed to play. Also, Anton Malmstrom, injured for a good portion of last season, is on the roster but not playing.
- - -
The Blackhawks' roster:
Forwards:
Colton Zach (28), Gavin Hayes (92), Nick Lardis (76), Paul Ludwinski (90), Jalen Luypen (43), Marcel Marcel (53), Martin Misiak (68), Frank Nazar (91), Alex Pharand (64), Ryder Rolston (36), Samuel Savoie (67), Landon Slaggert (84), AJ Spellacy (79).
Defensemen:
Nolan Allan (42), Lucas Brenton (54), Ethan Del Mastro (38), Ty Henry (85), Wyatt Kennedy (47), Artyom Levshunov (55) -- injured, Tnias Mathurin (56).
Goalies:
Drew Commesso (33), Ben Gaudreau (31). -- Commesso is confirmed to be the starting goalie tonight.
Related: Zack Bolduc determined to be full-time NHL player
Related: 5 Blues Players To Watch At The Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase This Weekend
