To go along with the skill and speed in their forward group, the St. Louis Blues want size and personality.
Through the first two pre-season games, Dylan Peterson has shown that.
Peterson dressed in both pre-season fixtures, recording 12:21 of ice time and receiving a major penalty for fighting.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 209 pounds, Peterson is immediately noticeable for his size, but he's worked to be more than that. In his first two AHL seasons, Peterson has scored 25 goals and 46 points in 109 games - he did play three games after signing his entry-level contract in 2023-24.
While he has lit it up offensively in the AHL, he's been developing his all-around game and maintaining his willingness to mix it up physically.
"He's just someone, you could tell our crowd wanted to cheer for him," said coach Jim Montgomery. "He's got that kind of Blues spirit in him."
In the pre-season opener, he fought Kyle Burroughs , a 31-year-old veteran defenseman. In the second game, he took on Jack Anderson, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound defenseman. He likely came out on the losing end in his fight with Anderson, but he showed no hesitation in stepping in between Anderson and 20-year-old rookie Adam Jiricek.
Peterson hasn't wowed anyone with his skill so far, failing to record any points but has fired four shots on goal. Although he hasn't shown any skill just yet, it's not that it doesn't exist. The Blues drafted Peterson in the third round, 86th overall in the 2020 NHL draft.
He is learning how to use his frame to his advantage as he matures. He is becoming a stronger net front presence and is finding more goals in front of the net.
The Blues' front office still believes he can be an NHL contributor for them, proving it by signing him to a one-year, two-way deal this off-season . Montgomery also believes in Peterson.
"He fits in. It's up to him to go grab a job," said Montgomery after the second pre-season game against the Dallas Stars . "He was very impressive last game. He's got to continue to make his mark. "Like, what are you? Play to your identity. We would like to see him chip more pucks and go get it on the forecheck like a 'Torpo' does. We love the fight, love the way he creates. He showed some real high-end skill."
It might be challenging for Peterson to make the opening-night roster, but he has a path back to the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he can be a force to be reckoned with and earn a call-up.
The 24-year-old has a path to becoming a power forward in the Blues' bottom six.
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