Blues Prospect Watch: Buy, Hold, Sell (June 2025)

With the 2025 NHL Draft approaching and prospect development seasons wrapped up, it’s time to take a bit of a different look and stock of the Blues’ pipeline. 

For this exercise, this breakdown looks beyond the top-tier names, so Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud are excluded to evaluate “lesser-known” players making noise, treading water, or losing ground. 

Who should the Blues invest in? Who’s on the bubble? Who’s better off as trade bait?

Let’s break it down below — including a sleeper to watch and potential trade chips — using the “Buy, Hold, Sell” format.

Buy: Trending Up

These players are climbing in value thanks to stronger production, bigger roles, or sharpened tools. Each has potential to carve out an NHL role.

• Matvei Korotky (C, SKA St. Petersburg – KHL)
  The 2024 seventh-rounder is one of the Blues’ biggest breakout stories. After dominating the MHL, he jumped to the KHL and was named Rookie of the Month in February 2025. With six points in eight games that month and continued strong play down the stretch, Korotky’s mix of size, skill, and compete level has him trending toward middle-six NHL upside.
• Tomas Mrsic (C/LW, Colorado College – NCAA)
  Mrsic left Prince Albert (WHL) after averaging above a point-per-game season (1.38) and just announced his commitment to Colorado College (June 9, 2025). He plays fast, sees the ice well, and his shift to the NCAA should accelerate his development. He’s a savvy pick in the fourth round, he’s trending toward long-term middle-six upside. 

• Juraj Pekarcik (LW, Sherbrooke Phoenix – QMJHL)
  After a quiet start to his North American career, Pekarcik exploded for 24 goals and 67 points in just 53 games in the QMJHL. His skill, playmaking touch, and ability to produce in tight spaces make him one of the Blues’ fastest-rising forward prospects. He’s still raw in areas, but the trajectory is clearly up.

Hold: Steady Development

These players didn’t break out but still have solid development paths. Continued patience could pay off.

• Dylan Peterson (C/RW, Springfield Thunderbirds – AHL)
  Peterson’s size and skating still stand out, and he made strong contributions in the AHL. That said, his offensive production plateaued a bit this season. He still profiles as a potential NHL bottom-six forward, especially with continued AHL seasoning.
• William McIsaac (D, Spokane Chiefs – WHL)
  A fifth-rounder from 2024, McIsaac is a strong skater and defensively responsible. While his production hasn’t popped, his tools could prove a quieter potential as a bottom-pairing depth defenseman. He’s worth keeping around to see if the offense develops further.

• Lukas Fischer (D, Sarnia Sting – OHL)
  Fischer showed incremental growth this year but didn’t quite take the leap expected from a second-rounder. He’s still developing physically and adapting to higher-paced decision-making. There’s long-term upside here, but he’s more of a project than a fast riser.

Sell: Time to Cash In

These prospects may still have value but face development stalls or other roadblocks. If a trade is on the table, the Blues should consider selling.

• Zach Dean (C, Springfield Thunderbirds – AHL)
  Dean brings energy, defensive responsibility, and flashes of offense, but repeated injury setbacks have slowed his trajectory. His draft pedigree still holds some value, especially for a team looking for a two-way center prospect. This might be the right time to explore a move.
• Vadim Zherenko (G, Springfield Thunderbirds – AHL)
  Zherenko has shown glimpses of athletic brilliance, but consistency and technique remain issues. With rumors swirling about a possible return to Russia, his North American future is uncertain. If a team is looking for goaltending depth, the Blues should explore trading his rights while they can. 

Sleeper Alert

• Otto Stenberg (C, Springfield Thunderbirds – AHL)
  Don’t sleep on the 2023 first-rounder. After an up-and-down SHL stint, Stenberg found his stride late in the season with Springfield. He has speed, skill, and an underrated motor. If he builds on this year’s progress, he could be a middle-six NHL option sooner than expected.

Trade Chip Tier

These players might not be core pieces, but they could sweeten a trade package:

• Zach Dean – Still draws interest, but durability is a concern.
• Vadim Zherenko – AHL tools with NHL flashes, but his future is uncertain.
• Ondrej Kos (LW, Ilves – Liiga) – Production has stalled in Finland, but he’s still young and skilled enough to include in a deal.