The St. Louis Blues opened the 2023 NHL Draft with their highest draw since 2008 – the No. 10 overall pick. They took forward Dalibor Dvorsky from Sweden’s AIK, following it up with fellow Swedish Leaguers Otto Stenberg and Theo Lindstein.
Located at Bridgestone Arena, the Draft began with Round 1 on Wednesday, June 28 and Rounds 2-7 continue on Thursday, June 29.
Follow along live right here as the Blues entered the two-day draft with nine picks in total at their disposal.
Analysis courtesy of NHL.com draft content.
2023 Blues Draft Picks
Round 1 – No. 10 – Dalibor Dvorsky – C
With the No. 10 overall pick, the Blues select forward Dalibor Dvorsky from Sweden’s AIK. Dvorsky is a 6-foot-1, 201-pound centerman who led fourth-place Slovakia with 13 points in seven games at the U18 IIHF World Championships.
“Dvorsky has the size and skill to play in the middle, but also could find a home on the wing. Wherever he ends up, the Blues will be happy to have him; Dvorsky is a high-IQ player with a really good shot that he doesn’t need much room to get it off.” – Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com.
“Dvorsky is a good skater, great with the puck on his stick, and has the ability to maintain possession with good vision. He can win battles in the corner and shows great skill in tight spaces.” – Adam Kimelman, NHL.com.
Dvorsky entered the draft ranked No. 3 among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 1 – No. 25 (via TOR) – Otto Stenberg – C
The Blues select forward Otto Stenberg, a centerman from Sweden’s Frölunda, with the No. 25 pick in the 2023 Draft. He posted 16 points in seven games as captain for Team Sweden at U18 Worlds and measured at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. Scouts see Stenberg’s game as resembling former Blue – who recently rejoined the organization – fellow Swede Alexander Steen.
“Stenberg has leadership qualities and a tremendous two-way game. An offensively gifted player with quick hands and an accurate shot, Stenberg is a complete player with a strong work ethic and the ability to come up big in clutch situations. He’s also versatile enough to play wing or center.” – Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com.
Stenberg entered the draft ranked No. 6 among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 1 – No. 29 (via DAL) – Theo Lindstein – D
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman, Theo Lindstein is selected by the Blues with the No. 29 pick. Lindstein represents the third player out of the Swedish League taken by the Blues this year, previously suiting up for Brynäs.
Scouts praise Lindstein’s fundamental play, aggressiveness and decision-making from the blue line. He posted a goal and four assists for Team Sweden at the U18 World Championship alongside Blues draftee Otto Stenberg. The two-way defenseman compares his game to Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen.
Lindstein entered the draft ranked No. 14 among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Round 3 – No. 74
Round 3 – No. 76 (via OTT)
Round 4 – No. 106
Round 5 – No. 138
Round 6 – No. 170
Round 7 – No. 202
Draft Notes
- The Blues acquired a first-round pick (No. 25) from the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as a third-round pick (No. 76) from the Ottawa Senators, when they sent forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari to Toronto. They also received a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
- The Blues acquired a first-round pick (No. 29) from the New York Rangers via the Dallas Stars when they traded forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Niko Mikkola to New York. The Blues also received a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
- The Blues traded away their second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft (No. 42) to Detroit, along with forward Oskar Sundqvist and defenseman Jake Walman, to acquire defensemen Nick Leddy and Luke Witkowski ahead of the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline.
