The St. Louis Blues have finalized their opening night roster, and as a result, several players have been assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Among these players, some possess significant potential but require further development before they can become consistent contributors at the NHL level. Here's a closer look at three such Blues prospects who will be looking to hone their skills in the AHL this season.

Theo Lindstein

Considered the most promising defenseman in the Blues' system, Theo Lindstein recently made the transition to North America from Sweden. He is set to begin his debut season with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Lindstein's preseason performance with the Blues revealed areas that need improvement. While he participated in the preseason games, he appeared to be out of sync with his teammates and seemed to lack awareness, managing only one assist.

Recognizing that Lindstein isn't quite ready for the NHL, the Blues have made the right decision to have him develop in the AHL. In a professional hockey environment, he will benefit from the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Staying in the AHL will allow him to adapt to the North American style of play, considering he has spent the majority of his career in Europe. Although Lindstein had a solid training camp, Logan Mailloux and Hunter Skinner played exceptionally well, solidifying their positions and creating an opportunity for Lindstein to excel in the AHL. The Blues hope he will make his debut mid-season or at the end of the season.

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki

Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, drafted by the Blues in 2022, is still awaiting his opportunity to play in the NHL. He is embarking on his second season in the AHL. During his debut season with the Thunderbirds, Kaskimaki recorded 34 points in 63 games. After signing with the Blues in 2024, he has been working towards his NHL debut. Kaskimaki's performance in the preseason brought him closer than ever to securing a spot on the Blues roster. In the previous preseason, he was among the 14 players who were sent down early.

Kaskimaki needs to improve his puck control and presence around the net, despite his impressive speed. In three preseason games, he had four giveaways and only one goal. While Kaskimaki possesses a great shot, he has not consistently demonstrated it. Like Lindstein, Kaskimaki was brought over from Europe.

Other Notable Assignments

In addition to Lindstein and Kaskimaki, the Blues have assigned several other players to the Springfield Thunderbirds. This includes forwards Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg, as well as defenseman Leo Loof. These moves reflect the Blues' commitment to developing their young talent and ensuring they receive the necessary experience before making the jump to the NHL. Surprisingly, Stenberg and Dvorsky were also sent down despite making an impact against NHL talent. Kaskimaki was unable to leave a lasting impression despite scoring a goal in the final preseason game. Loof also did not catch the attention of the Blues front office.

By providing these players with valuable playing time in a competitive environment, the Blues hope to see them develop into key contributors in the future. The organization's approach to player development demonstrates a long-term vision aimed at building a sustainable foundation for success.