St. Louis Blues winger Jimmy Snuggerud and center Dalibor Dvorsky may not be in the Calder Trophy race as some predicted, but that doesn’t mean their rookie seasons haven’t been successful thus far.
Snuggerud, 21, suffered a left wrist injury that required surgery and missed 12 games because of it. The initial schedule he was given was longer than the time he was out, and since his return, he has two goals and four points in nine games.
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The Blues beat Carolina Hurricanes last night 3-0, highlighted by a three-goal second period. The Blues scored a shorthanded goal, an even strength goal and a power play goal, with two of the goals coming from rookies Dvorsky and Snuggerud.
The goals from Dvorsky and Snuggerud showcased their strength: their shooting. Dvorsky wasn’t necessarily able to get past the goalkeeper from distance. Still, he opened up on a transition opportunity and was able to get the puck over the goalie quickly enough to score his seventh goal of the season.
The 20-year-old has now found his place in the NHL, and it doesn’t look like he will return to the NHL. LAH soon. He takes on the role of center player for the Blues and is only getting better.
“I thought it was excellent,” coach Jim Montgomery said of Dvorsky’s line. “Dalibor Dvorsky had some really good games, that might have been his best 200 foot game. He was really good in the D zone, he was moving his legs, he was winning a lot of 1 on 1 battles and it started with that goal. They won that battle, 72 to 72 to 54, then we moved the puck up and great execution. What a great pass from Jordan Kyrou on the entry to find 75 and then go down to 63 and a very balanced game that we are used to seeing Jake Neighbors perform in and around the net and a good finish.
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Snuggerud’s goal, which was also his seventh of the season, showed off his shot on a tee. On the power play, the Blues forced a turnover and came down the ice with numbers. Jordan Kyrou returned the puck to Snuggerud, who took a stick handle before firing the puck into the top corner just inside the right faceoff circle.
Jimmy Snuggerud (Joe Puetz-Imagn Images)
When the Blues selected Snuggerud 23rd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, goals like the one he scored last night were what the Blues envisioned every night. Snuggerud doesn’t need a lot of time or space to show off his shot.
He can beat goaltenders with a one-timer or catch-and-release. The youngster is averaging over two shots per game this season, but is only converting 9.7% of his attempts. The shooting percentage should increase and the goals will come easier, sooner rather than later.
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He’s almost the opposite of Dvorsky. The Blues coaching staff wants Dvorsky to shoot the puck more, as he has only taken 48 shots in 37 games. While the other aspects of his game look strong, allowing himself to be a true shooting threat at 5-on-5, rather than just on the power play, could take his game to the next level.
Overall, Snuggerud is on track for 14 goals and 30 points in 70 games, while Dvorsky is on track for 14 goals and 20 points in 72 games. Those may not be Calder Trophy-winning numbers, but they’re a solid start to what the Blues hope will be a long career in St. Louis.
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