3 Blues to Watch During Training Camp and the Preseason

September is here! That is right. We will see the St. Louis Blues play hockey this month. Training camp will begin shortly, with the first of four preseason games being on Saturday, Sept. 19 against the Dallas Stars. After a long (and sometimes slow) offseason, we will soon have plenty to talk about.

In preparation for training camp opening, let’s take a look at three Blues worth keeping an eye on during training camp and the preseason.

Preseason Takes On Extra Significance This Season

Before we start looking at players, it is important to remind everyone that the preseason will only be four games this season. With the regular season being extended to 84 games, the preseason has been shortened to accommodate the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Fewer games mean less opportunity to make an impression. For a player looking to make an NHL roster or get on their NHL team’s radar, they will need to make the most of their opportunities. This could create some extra intensity for players looking to make a statement.

With that in mind, let’s start looking at some players.

Adam Jiricek

There has been a lot of excitement surrounding Adam Jiricek since the Blues drafted him in 2024. His game has grown during his time in junior hockey, and he has developed into a great skater with offensive upside. He recorded 59 points in 55 games in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season.

When the Blues traded Justin Faulk last season, many wondered if Jiricek would soon be headed to the NHL. However, the Brandon Carlo trade suggests the organization is willing to take its time with Jiricek, something I discussed in the Blues’ season preview video.

However, even if Jiricek starts the season in the American Hockey League (AHL), that does not mean he will not make his debut this season. Injuries happen. Furthermore, the Czech could put himself on the team’s radar with a strong camp and preseason. Even if he does not do enough to crack the opening night roster, he could easily be looked at as the “next man up.”

We should expect to see Jiricek get some time on the power-play units during practices and preseason games. If he can excel with the man advantage, that can improve his case for the NHL.

Dalibor Dvorsky

Dalibor Dvorsky enters training camp with a new number and a spot on the NHL roster. However, he is still someone to watch in camp and in the preseason. In 71 games, the Olympian scored 12 goals. Five of them came on the power play, which was tied for best on the team.

The question that surrounds Dvorsky heading into the season is his position. He is a natural center, and his 46% faceoff percentage was good for a rookie, so it would make sense for the Blues to want him to play that position. However, the team has two other strong options at center for the third and fourth lines, Pius Suter and Jack Finley, and we should not overlook Oskar Sundqvist in the dot.

Expect to see a competition during camp for who takes the spot at center. The good news for Dvorsky is that even if he is not one of the team’s centers to open the season, he will still be on the roster on the wing. At that point, the question will be whether or not he can be the player who scored 45 goals in the OHL in 2023-24 and 21 goals in the AHL in 2024-25.

Otto Stenberg

Otto Stenberg played in 32 games last season, scoring three goals. His sample size was small, but he showed reasons for optimism at the NHL level.

The problem facing Stenberg heading into camp is the Blues do not have a clear spot for him on the NHL roster. The team is still in a rebuild, and while it would make sense for the Swede to earn a spot, there are too many forwards competing for limited spots. Stenberg’s chances of making the lineup out of the preseason seem to be slim.

However, Stenberg’s case is similar to Jiricek’s. A strong camp and preseason can put the forward into the “next man up” category. If an injury happens once the regular season starts, Stenberg can be the one called up. A strong camp and preseason may not create the immediate results he is looking for, but it can create a path back to the NHL.

It is worth mentioning that Stenberg could make the NHL roster if he outperforms certain players during camp and the preseason. Jonatan Berggren could be one of the players Stenberg can steal a roster spot from. The Blues took a flier on Berggren last season due to injuries, but he played so well that the team held onto him and re-signed him this summer. Berggren is an interesting player to watch this season, but if Stenberg can outperform him in camp and the preseason, then he could very well be on the roster to open the season.

Furthermore, how cool would it be to see Otto face his brother, Ivar Stenberg, when the Blues host the San Jose Sharks in the home opener?

Hockey Is Almost Back

It feels so good to be talking about players to watch during training camp. Hockey is truly almost back. Before long, we will hear the sweet sound of skates on the ice, the puck on a stick, and the legendary voice of Tom Calhoun addressing the fans at Enterprise Center.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are almost there.