Taylor impressed after Blues' "best" Prospect Camp

"This is the best development camp we've had."

That's a statement that Tim Taylor doesn't make lightly, but the Blues' Director of Player Personnel liked what he saw at 2023 Prospect Camp, which was held July 1-4 at Centene Community Ice Center.

Taylor has seen many prospects and many development camps since joining the organization in 2011, but none quite like this.

"I don't think we've ever had - since I've been here - the talent that we have on the ice in these development camps," Taylor said.

After four days of workouts, drills, scrimmages and bonding activities, here's what we've learned.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

While recognizing that they still need time to develop, Taylor couldn't hide his excitement over the potential this year's prospects have shown.

"This is a special crop of players that we have here now, and you're really looking forward to seeing how they develop this year," he said.

Taylor praised the team's amateur scouting staff for their work at creating a deep roster of talented prospects to help the Blues in the future.

"There's a lot of optimism within our organization now with the young players coming," Taylor said, "And the League has turned young, so you really need these guys to take a step every year. And I'm just really excited where this organization's going with these young players."

DICKINSON IS AN INSPIRATION

While Taylor was hesitant to single out individual prospects due to the overall talent level of the group, the first player he brought up was 2020 fourth-round pick Tanner Dickinson.

"I have to give this kid kudos," Taylor said, "He's been really good."

It hasn't been an easy road for the forward, who broke his femur during a junior game in early 2022. He's had multiple surgeries since and missed all of last season. Now, he's working his way back.

"To see where he is today and the speed he has, the strength he has in his body, it's a year and a half later and he's worked toward this and he looks really, really good," Taylor said.

BOLDUC AND DEAN ARE ALMOST READY

All eyes were on two 2021 first rounders: 17th overall pick Zachary Bolduc, attending his second Prospect Camp with the Blues, and 30th overall pick Zach Dean, who was acquired from Vegas in the Ivan Barbashev trade.

Both 20-year-olds will turn pro in the fall and are looking to make an impression on the big club. Bolduc is coming off a particularly impressive year, which includes a QMJHL Championship and Memorial Cup.

"He's taking the right steps," Taylor said. "Everything we've asked him to do, he's done so far. So again we're going to ask him to come to training camp, be ready to win a spot and his play will dictate what happens."

While Dean wasn't able to participate for most of Prospect Camp due to equipment issues, Taylor's been impressed with what he has seen of the forward.

"He was just a dominant player [in the QMJHL playoffs]," Taylor said. "Every time he was on the ice, something happened. Whether he scored a goal or not, he made plays. He reminds me - he's a little more tenacious and heavier than Doug Gilmour - but he has those attributes of being that guy that leads both ways."

CURRENT, FORMER BLUES MAKING AN IMPACT

Fans may have seen some familiar faces on the ice and behind the bench this week.

In addition to new European Player Development Consultant Alexander Steen, former Blues Chris Thorburn, Matt D'Agostini and Phil McRae all worked with the prospects as well. Taylor credited D'Agostini and Thorburn, who are both now Development Coaches for the Blues, as playing a major role in helping Dickinson through his difficult recovery.

Current Blues Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou also made appearances at camp, talking to the prospects about their experiences and helping out behind the bench during a scrimmage.

BLUES FANS LOVE HOCKEY

It may have been a holiday weekend in the middle of the summer, but Centene Community Ice Center was packed every single day. Fans of all ages, decked out in Blues gear and with signs, filled the stands and cheered on their future Blues. We already knew you guys were the best, but once again you proved it.

Watch: Youtube Video

OVERTIME

Here's what Taylor had to say about some of the Blues' other prospects and their development.

On defenseman Michael Buchinger (2022 3rd round, 88th overall): He reminds me a lot of Vince Dunn. He skates real smooth, makes cutbacks, he moves the puck up ice really well… Buch has done a good job. He had a great year last year.

On forward Dalibor Dvorsky (2023 1st round, 10th overall):It's pretty impressive, to say the least. His elusiveness on the ice - he made a couple plays yesterday where he went inside-out on the D and looked like he was slowing the play down and then he was gone past them. Obviously you saw his good shot, that spin-o-rama on the backhand. He possesses the puck and he's very smart.

On forward Aleksanteri Kaskimaki (2022 3rd round, 73rd overall): He's very noticeable now. He's a player that can skate and he dominates with a stride through the neutral zone, he gets by guys… He had a good ending to his year, so he should have a good start and I know they're expecting him to play top minutes over there [in Finland's Liiga].

On defenseman Theo Lindstein (2023 1st round, 29th overall): A smooth defenseman that makes really quick decisions with the puck… He's a guy that generates a lot of offense from the back-end; moves the puck up to his forwards, finds them in speed, open ice and joins the rush. He's been nice to watch.

On forward Juraj Pekarcik (2023 3rd round, 76th overall):Looks like a first-rounder out there.

On forward Jimmy Snuggerud (2022 1st round, 23rd overall): He had an extraordinary year last year… We were really pleased with him. And he had a great World Juniors, so again that's another step, we want him to take another step this year. We'll see where he's at at the end of this year, but we were really pleased with his season.

On goalie Vadim Zherenko (2019 7th round, 208th overall):He had a really good year last year [in Springfield]. His numbers were outstanding... He's going to get a lot of touches this year, big responsibility. If you look out here even this week, he looks very strong, he looks very confident in the net.