Blues Recall 2023 First-Round Pick, Will Make NHL Debut Sunday

ST. LOUIS -- The Dalibor Dvorsky era is off and running.

The St. Louis Blues recalled the No. 10 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft from Springfield of the American Hockey league on Saturday night, and the center will make his debut against the Nashville Predators.

"Do what got you here, play to your strengths," Blues coach Jim Montgomery on his message to Dvorsky. "I think not only in your first game, but a lot of times you've got to talk to players about what you can do."

Dvorsky, 19, will skate with Mathieu Joseph and Alexandre Texier on a line.

"We're excited to watch him play tonight, as I'm sure all of our fan base is," Montgomery said. "I've never seen him skate, and I've never been on the ice with him. If he's playing well, he's going to play a lot. That's the way I go into every game with every player."

The Dvorsky recall is in correlation to Pavel Buchnevich, who missed a 4-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday with an illness. Montgomery said after the game and on Sunday that Buchnevich is day to day.

"'Buch' is good," Montgomery said. "It's just a day to day thing. He's not himself right now feeling healthy. We all get viral infections and stuff."

Dvorsky has 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 57 games with the Thunderbirds.

His goals are tied for third among AHL rookies and fifth in points.

Dvorsky was not in the lineup for the Thunderbirds on Saturday and had a four-game point streak (two goals, two assists).