Veteran forward, out since tearing right ACL March 25, gives St. Louis multiple options if ready for start of season; 2023 first-round pick will give team plethora of options should he make opening night roster
Veteran forward, out since tearing right ACL March 25, gives St. Louis multiple options if ready for start of season; 2023 first-round pick will give team plethora of options should he make opening night roster
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The St. Louis Blues did address their need for a center this off-season when they acquired Radek Faksa from the Dallas Stars.
It added an experienced player down the middle that's good in a variety of areas, including face-offs. But the 30-year-old is more suited as the third- or fourth-line center role.
What does it mean for the second-line center slot? Well, a lot of that will depend on the health of Oskar Sundqvist.
The Blues, barring any moves between now and then, have Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, Brayden Schenn, Faksa and Sundqvist are their disposal to use down the middle. There's also Nathan Walker, who can play there; what about Zach Dean? He provides depth if needed, and then there's Dalibor Dvorsky, the 10th pick in the 2023 NHL Draft who could throw a complete wrench in this equation should the 19-year-old make the opening night roster.
Thomas will start as the No. 1 center. That's a given. But who will be No. 2?
"We talked to 'Buch' about that," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "If you go Robert Thomas, 'Buch,' Faksa, 'Sunny,' you've got size down there and you've got skill. Or Schenn can slide in there right now.
"As it sits today, it's going to be one of those two.
"Or Dvorsky."
Dvorsky, who will attend his first main camp in September, can really make a chaotic situation ... but in a good way. Now you have some serious depth and can play Buchnevich at his natural wing spot next to Thomas again, or even Dvorsky. Faksa can center a third line.
But what about Sundqvist? Will be be ready for training camp? Seems awfully quick considering he tore his right ACL March 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
ACL injuries typically fall into the 6-9 month range. It will be pushing it at the start of camp to be in the six-month range. Nine months puts him at late December. But Armstrong seemed encouraged.
"Everything sounds like it's on track," Armstrong said. "Ray [Barile], he only delivers bad news, not good news, so I'm OK with that. And I haven't heard from him in a while. ... 'Sunny,' if he's ready for the first day of training camp, that's it."
If Sundqvist, somehow, is ready, then the multi-faceted Schenn can also move to the wing and give the Blues Thomas, Buchnevich/Schenn/Dvorsky, Faksa and Sundqvist as skaters down the middle. However should Sundqvist not be ready, the Blues know they have options.
