The latest Forward Prospect signings by the Blues: LW JURAJ PEKARCIK and C ALEKSANTERI KASKIMÄKI

Over the last week the St. Louis Blues have put pen to paper and signed 2 prospects that have been drafted in the last few years. Juraj Pekarick, a 2023 3rd Round pick, hails from Slovakia but has been playing on North American ice in the USHL. Aleksanteri Kaskimäki, who was drafted in 2022 in the 3rd round, has been playing in the top Finnish league, Liiga for the HIFK hockey club which are based in the capital of Finland.

Both players this past year saw each other playing for their respective home countries in the world juniors, and each of them being big contributors to their teams. Kaskimäki was able to help his team make it to the Bronze medal game but they fell short in their quest. Pekarick and Slovakia were beaten out by Kaskimäki and Finland in the first round of the elimination tournament. Both players were able to get on the score board during the time in the tournament, but they also performed well in their respective leagues.

What do the Blues get from signing these players?

While each player may be near the bottom in depth charts for their positions, the Blues are hoping that over the next few years they can progress enough to force their way onto the main roster. As for now and this coming season, I would expect Kaskimäki and Pekarick to continue to develop in their respective leagues or make a jump to the AHL and attempt to play for the Blues affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds based in Massachusetts. Kaskimäki will more than likely stay in Liiga with HIFK after he shattered his production from last year in the top Finnish league. Pekarick may try his luck and jump to pro hockey or he can stay in the USHL for another 2 years before he has to make the jump.

Kaskimäki is the kind of center the Blues love, tall, soft hands, pressures in the offensive zone, and loves to stickhandle with a great release when he shoots. When he was drafted, his game lacked on the defensive side but thankfully for the Blues, Kaskimäki took the criticism from scouts and greatly improved his overall game once he transitioned to the top league in Finland. His production was a steady testing of the waters in his first year as he posted 7 points (3 goals and 4 assists) in 41 games in the 2022-2023 season. But this past season saw him fully break out, posting 17 points (10 goals and 7 assists) in 48 games. I still think he needs a couple more years to really push for the Blues but I could see him as a 3rd line center ceiling or maybe a more versatile bottom 6 winger that fills in on either of the bottom 2 lines.

If you want to take a look at his draft profile check out this link: https://thehockeywriters.com/aleksanteri-kaskimaki-2022-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/

For Juraj Pekarick, the Blues get a very tall 6'2 left winger who really impressed scouts during last years draft. While he was overshadowed by fellow Blues prospect Dalibor Dvorsky in international play, Juraj must be given credit for the work he put in to be drafted in the 3rd round. As one of the youngest players available in the 2023 draft, he had a lot to prove to show that he deserved a shot. His best asset is his skating ability, which many scouts agree can keep up with professional players in any pro league in the world. The best thing in his arsenal is his 200ft game and to have a winger like that for the Blues is huge for the future. The highest I can see Pekarick landing if he develops completely is middle 6 to 2nd line winger but at worst he could be a 4th line grinder that makes top players sweat and struggle to do anything.

If you want to take a look at his draft profile, check out this link: https://thehockeywriters.com/juraj-pekarcik-2023-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/