The path back to the NHL has officially opened for Dillon Dube. After months of speculation following his acquittal as one of the “Hockey Canada Five,” the former Calgary Flames forward has put pen to paper. It’s not the NHL contract some might have expected, but it’s the foot in the door he needs: a Professional Tryout (PTO) with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.
For the Blues, this is a move that screams “zero risk, high reward.” Dube isn’t walking onto the Enterprise Center ice tomorrow, but by stashing him in Springfield, the organization gets a front-row seat to see if the 27-year-old still has the motor that made him a reliable middle-six forward in Calgary. If you’re a Blues fan, you shouldn’t overlook this signing—it could be the depth move that pays off later this season.
Let’s look at the hockey reality here. Dube is coming off a strange, disjointed season in the KHL with Minsk Dynamo, where he posted a meager 11 points in 45 games. Those aren’t numbers that scream “NHL ready.” However, context is king. Playing in Russia while a massive legal battle looms back home is hardly an environment conducive to peak performance.
Analyzing Dube’s Fit with the St. Louis Blues Organization
I’ve watched Dube play extensively during his time with the Flames. When he is on his game, he is a tenacious forechecker with genuine finishing ability. We are talking about a guy who posted back-to-back 18-goal seasons in the best league in the world. He brings speed and hits—387 of them over his NHL career—and can play up and down the lineup.
The St. Louis Blues are currently in a phase where they need competitive internal depth. By signing Dube to a PTO in the AHL, they are essentially getting a free look at a former second-round pick (56th overall, 2016). If Dube shows up to Springfield out of shape or unmotivated, the Blues can cut ties without a second thought. But, if he arrives with a chip on his shoulder and flashes that 18-goal potential? He becomes an immediate call-up option if injuries hit the big club.
With other members of the acquitted five, like Carter Hart and Cal Foote (AHL deal), making their moves, the market is thawing. Dube has a long road ahead to win back trust and playing time, but the talent is undeniably there. For a team like St. Louis, looking for scoring depth without spending cap space, this is exactly the kind of shrewd, under-the-radar move that wins games in March and April.
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The post Dillon Dube Is Back: Why The Blues Are Taking A Look appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
