Montgomery challenge's Dvorsky to find next gear

St. Louis Blues center Dalibor Dvorsky is currently going through a tough-love learning point in his young NHL career. After starting the season with two goals in his first two games, he has hit a bit of a wall. While the schedule has not done the team any favors with a gauntlet of opponents, it is fair to say that they have adapted to Dvorsky's style, causing his ice time to dip over his last three games.

Against the Ottawa Senators, Dvorsky saw a season-high 16 minutes of ice time that has now dipped to 10 minutes over his past three games against Central Division opponents, Minnesota, Nashville, and Winnipeg.

Adjusting to the speed and strength of the world's best hockey players is never easy, and the 21-year-old is finding out just how small the margins for error really are at this level.

His shrinking time on ice, including the lack of time on the man-advantage, has become a major sore spot among the Blues fan base. While the team has made it a point of focus this season to return back to the playoffs, the difference between earning early season points in the standings could mean all the difference between Wild Card contention and early tee times at the country club. That goal of finding their way back to the postseason, however, could come at the cost of valuable ice time for some of the Blues' young players like Dvorsky.

Some supporters believe that playing him 10 minutes per night and keeping him sheltered is the right move. Others will argue that a young playmaking center with a dangerous one-timer needs to play through his mistakes on the power play to build confidence.

What Montgomery needs from Dvorsky

Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery elaborated after practice Wednesday afternoon on what he and the coaching staff are seeing from their young third line center. He stated that Dvorsky has taken positive steps in his development and believes he has made tremendous strides defensively. However, he also made a point stating that it is Dvorsky's offensive game where they want to see him make more strides. The Blues want him to actively want the puck in the middle of the ice and drive play through the congested areas rather than playing safely on the perimeter.

Montgomery also stated that the coaching staff needs to see his high-end skill more often and much more consistently. They are looking for him to be part of the forecheck on a regular basis, hunting down pucks and making life difficult for opposing defensemen. The willingness to hang onto pucks is normally a good sign and indicator that a young forward is becoming more confident, but Dvorsky is not showing that right now.

Blues center depth allowing for patience

When a player holds onto pucks for a split second too long or hesitates down the middle, veteran defenders will quickly close the gap and shut down the play. Dvorsky is working through that mental adjustment right now and trying to find the balance between trusting his natural offensive instincts that made him so dangerous at the junior levels and playing smart, disciplined hockey.

Fortunately for the Blues, they have the luxury of not needing to rush Dvorsky into massive roles before he is fully ready. With Mason McTavish and Robert Thomas eating up heavy minutes and anchoring the top two center spots, along with Pius Suter providing the reliable, veteran depth and presence, the Blues can be patient with Dvorsky's development. He is getting a chance to learn the ropes still without sinking under expectations of playing top-six minutes.

If Dvorsky can take Montgomery's advice to heart, get more involved in the physical battles, and find his offensive confidence again, his ice time and power play opportunities should naturally follow. For now, though, the Blues appear to be treating his development as a long-term investment, trusting that these early struggles will build a stronger player in the end.