DALIBOR DVORSKY

2025-08-19

Scout: Grant Campbell

Skating:

He has a fairly impressive first few strides, but his top speed looks to be about average. That initial quickness might be enough to get him open in tight spots.

Passing/Handling:

He was a little slow to process while with the puck in the one NHL game that was viewed. That could just be nerves. He does possess very good stickhandling, moves the puck well and embraces driving play at the AHL level. The big question will be if he can do that at the NHL level.

Shooting:

Dvorsky possesses a good, quick accurate shot that he sometimes one-times with authority. Currently, it is probably no more than an average NHL shot, so will need some work at that level. He does have a nice back hand shot when in tight.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

He has great patience with the puck and seems to find open ice easily. He sees the ice well in the offensive zone and anticipates where his teammates are. He protects the puck well and likes to have the puck rather than defer to a teammate.

Forechecking:

Average at best. He's not a physical player for a 200lb forward and will need to improve his strength on the puck or battling for pucks.

Defense:

Like most young offensive forwards, he can get lost defensively in his own end with coverage and his defensive assignments. He will need to improve this in order to earn a regular role in the NHL. Having said that, he's a little ahead defensively than most similar offensive forwards at this age.

Best Asset:

His puck handling and play driving abilities. He can be that forward on his line, who should carry the puck or be the conduit on the power play for scoring opportunities.

Biggest Concern:

That he fails to develop any more. Most of what we hope he will become as a player is not yet in his arsenal. He still needs to improve his skating, shot, stickhandling, defense and strength for him to become a top-six forward in the NHL. He's only 20 still but he's got a lot of work ahead of him.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Top-six forward (Tier 3) who can produce on the power play and even strength. He could see 60-80 points one day.

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

He has the skill, smarts, opportunity and draft clout to get plenty of chances to succeed with the Blues in the next two or three years.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Bottom-six forward who plays 12-14 minutes per game and struggles to break 15-20 goals and 35-40 points.

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

He's a smart player, but if he's not driving play, he will need to re-think his approach to making and staying in the NHL and that will be building off of his defensive play.

Stylistic Comparable:

Bo Horvat a little

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Dvorsky is going to have to raise his skillsets from average to above average in skating, shooting and defensive play to as a regular in the top-six with any NHL team. Right now at 20, he is an above-average stick-handler and slightly above-average passer. Patience is needed with him, but I'm not convinced he will get to that 60-80 point level.

Games Scouted:

04/09/25 NHL; 03/19/25 AHL

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2024-04-30

Scout: Patrick Ploch

Skating:

Dvorsky is an excellent skater. He has a pretty smooth stride that looks pretty effortless. He is good at going north/south and east/west. He uses his skating to continuously get in good position.

Passing/Handling:

He is very good at passing and handling. He displays good puck handling skills and makes the right passes at the right times.

Shooting:

Not only does Dvorsky have a good shot but he works to get in a good position to get good shots and can score from multiples positions. Sometimes he will shoot from the faceoff dots, other times he will crash the net or the goal line.

IQ (Vision, Anticipation, Panic/Poise):

Dvorsky has a good hockey IQ. He has patience, is aware of where his teammates are and are going. If he doesn't have the puck, he will move to a good area for a pass or where the puck is likely to come.

Forechecking:

Dalibor is good on the forecheck. He can separate the puck from the defensemen, support his teammates or be in a good position on the boards to receive a puck that comes loose.

Defense:

Dvorsky is very good at getting back on defense to take the puck away or to support his defensemen when they win a puck or are making a breakout.

Best Asset:

His best asset is probably his shot. He can score from multiple places on the ice.

Biggest Concern:

Possibly his skating or defense. It's possible one or both won't be good enough to elevate him enough in the NHL.

Top Tier/Role Potential:

Tier 1 and 1C that is a PPG scorer

Justification for Top Tier Assessment:

Dvorsky's overall game may not be elite but every aspect of his game is very good which creates a great package.

50th Percentile Tier/Role:

Tier 2 and 2C that tops out at 60-70 points

Justification for 50th Percentile Tier Assessment:

Dvorsky's total skillset makes it hard to believe that he will be anything lower than a 2C which would limit his scoring ceiling. Although it's possible he will be more of a high end 2C that gets a scoring boost from being on PP1.

Stylistic Comparable:

Possibly Bo Horvat

Scouts Final Thoughts and Additional Stats/Info:

Maybe I am fooling myself and Dvorsky won't be as good as I think. He is fun to watch and has a well-rounded game. He may not be the fastest skater, but he does a pretty good job of getting around the ice and seems to have a very good work ethic and is committed to improving all the parts of his game.

Games Scouted:

2023-10-27 Sudbury Wolves v Guelph Storm, 2024-01-19 Sudbury Wolves v Erie Otters, 2024-04-03 Sudbury Wolves v Mississauga Steelheads