Blues not rushing Zach Dean into action

"I think we need to get him a couple of practices here. I think that's a fair thing for him and will get him comfortable," Bannister told the media on Tuesday. 

"Today, we'll have him come in and go through the day like he is playing, sit in on meetings at game time so he gets comfortable with game time preparations, and from there, we will go day to day."

After a slow start to his professional career with the Springfield Thunderbirds and a few sustained injuries that kept him sidelined, Dean has put together a productive stretch of hockey, scoring six goals, nine points, and a plus-one rating over 13 games since Feb. 2. Dean has produced eight goals, 13 points, and a -15 rating through 47 AHL games this season. 

The Blues will have a tough stretch of games ahead of them, with playoff implications hanging in the balance. Inserting a player like Dean will put him in the same lineup that features Zachary Bolduc and Matt Kessel, who have both played for the Thunderbirds this season. Dean has found success this year as he has acclimated to the pro level, but he could have difficulty working his way up out of a bottom-six role through the remainder of the season. 

Recent Articles

(3-13-24) Kings-Blues Gameday Lineup

Blues-Bruins takeaways: Kapanen, Hayes, Saad line fuels St. Louis' 5-1 win against Boston to end three-game losing streak

Blues must consider breaking up Thomas and Kyrou on top line

Zach Dean had to grow up fast, led to some tough times early in his pro career; 2021 first-round pick started to figure it out at AHL level, rewarded with first NHL recall, awaiting debut with Blues