The Blues signed Dalibor Dvorsky to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday morning, inking him to a deal less than three weeks after St. Louis took him with the No. 10 pick at the NHL draft in Nashville.
Dvorsky, 18, became the highest draft pick by the Blues since 2008, when the team took Alex Pietrangelo with the No. 4 pick. Dvorsky was one of three first-round picks by the Blues this year, as St. Louis also took forward Otto Stenberg at No. 25 and defenseman Theo Lidnstein at No. 29. It was the first time since 2007 that the Blues picked three players in the first round.
The contract does not change Dvorsky’s status heading into next season, as he is slated to play in the SHL in Sweden for IK Oskarshamn. He has a two-year contract in the SHL, but it allows for an out for him to come over to the NHL or AHL.
“We’ve always said this, the player and his development growth will let us know when he’s ready,” Blues director of player personnel Tim Taylor said at prospect camp earlier this month. “He’s going to have a big year there, they’re expecting big things from him in the Swedish Elite League.
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“We’re looking forward to watching him play there. It’s a great league, he’s playing amongst men, so it’s going to be a challenge for him. But at the same time, it’s a better league than playing in the OHL or the Western Hockey League.”
Because Dvorsky is a teenager, his contract is eligible to slide as long as he does not play 10 NHL games. For example, since Dvorsky won’t play 10 NHL games this season, his contract could begin next season if he comes to North America. Because of the entry-level slide, signing draft picks early can lessen the cap hit later in the contract, depending on the signing bonus structure.
Dvorsky was not expected to be around at No. 10 when the Blues picked, but when Arizona took Dmitri Simashev at No. 6 and Detroit took Nate Danielson at No. 9, Dvorsky fell right into St. Louis’ hands.
In his first prospect camp at Centene Community Ice Center two weeks ago, Dvorsky impressed almost everyone in attendance, including Blues management.
“He’s a competitive person, very humble, curious, wants to learn,” Blues European development consultant Alexander Steen said. “Really strong, I’m impressed with his strength on his stick in puck battles. When he’s battling that hard and still has the touch when he gets the puck free.”
Taylor: “He possesses the puck and he’s very smart. This is a special crop of players that we have here now, and really looking forward to seeing how they develop this year.”
Dvorsky was one of six first-rounders on the ice at prospect camp, joining Stenberg, Lindstein, Jimmy Snuggerud (2022), Zachary Bolduc (2021) and Zach Dean (2021, acquired from Vegas in the Ivan Barbashev trade).
Bolduc and Dean will turn pro this season and are expected to play for AHL affiliate Springfield. Snuggerud is returning to Minnesota for his sophomore season. Dvorsky, Stenberg and Lindstein will all play in Sweden.
Dvorsky was the ninth member of the 2023 draft class to sign an entry-level contract, highlighted by Adam Fantilli in Columbus, Leo Carlsson in Anaheim and David Reinbacher in Montreal.
Alexander Steen, alternate captain on the 2019 St. Louis Blues championship team, credits St. Louis City SC for creating a “pretty cool experience” at CityPark during a game against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, July 1, 2023, in St. Louis. Kobe Mosley/St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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July 15, 2023 at 01:05AM
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Blues sign top pick Dalibor Dvorsky to entry-level contract - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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