When the leadership of the Slovak national team announced that Dalibor Dvorský would play at the 2025 World Cup, the fans had high expectations. The young man was supposed to be the leader. However, the tournament did not go so well for him, he had only one point in six matches.
When Dvorský came to the NHL after excellent seasons in the minor leagues, people expected goals on a regular basis.
However, it takes time to establish yourself at the highest level of hockey. Dvorský got him and now it seems that he is starting to settle in the NHL. Before the Olympics, this is great news for Slovak fans.
The youngster, born in 2005, started the season on the farm but is now a regular part of the first team at St. Louis. After a difficult beginning, he found his place in the club and the goals and assists are slowly starting to come.
At the moment, he has a form that he has never had in the NHL. He scored four times in a row and in the last meeting against Dallas he played his career high – 19 minutes and 22 seconds.
“I feel like I’m adapting pretty well. I feel better with each match, but there are still a lot of things I have to learn,” Dvorský said.
Still only 20 years old, the Slovak is a rookie in the NHL. In the current season, he played 43 duels with 14 points (9+5).
In most matches, he starts as the third center and also has a place in the first power formation.
He had to learn how to handle the NHL
St. Louis Blues acquired Dvorský from the tenth place of the draft in 2023. He spent the first year after that mainly in the junior OHL, the second in the AHL. Now he already has a place in the NHL.
“He came here excited and showed a lot of good offensive flashes. Since then, he had to learn to handle what the NHL brings – tough fights, travel and different time zones,” coach Jim Montgomery said about Dvorsky.
Journalist Lou Korac, who covers the hockey events in St. Louis to The Hockey News:
“Dvorsky’s season started as expected. The young player was learning the basics of what it means to play in the NHL. He had his ups and downs, but his game gradually started to improve.
His self-confidence is still growing, he is getting more minutes on the ice and, with increasing experience, more responsibilities.”
Dalibor Dvorský’s productivity in the 2025/26 season.
He is no longer just surviving
While Juraj Slafkovský scored only one point in the last four games, Dvorský has as many as four. At the end of January, there is no more productive Slovak in the pro league.
Dvorský assisted on the team’s only goal against Winnipeg, scored a power-play goal in Dallas and also scored against Los Angeles. The Blues lost after raids, in which Dvorský was their only successful executor. He also scored in the next meeting against Dallas, he added an assist.
VIDEO: Dvorský’s goal against Los Angeles
“In the last ten days, we could see in him a player who no longer just survives on the ice, but begins to understand how to be successful in this league.
We’re starting to see a player who skates more, gets into more offensive opportunities, and defensively has more confidence and knows what to do in all three areas,” praised the Blues skipper.
“I’d say the last few games have been his best this season. Playing with other young prospects Otto Stenberg and Jimmy Snuggerud has also helped,” Korac said of The Hockey News.
He is the best in one
The match calendar is very busy in the current NHL season, also because of the Olympic break. Dvorský says that it suits him: “The more I play, the more confident I am.”
However, coach Montgomery thinks that it can be more difficult for new players in the NHL.
“Since the matches are more intense, we don’t have as much time for training, so they can’t practice as many things,” said the coach.
“Still, I think both young players (Dvorský and Snuggerud) are getting more comfortable over the last month and are starting to figure out what kind of players they’re going to be in this league. The productivity may not be there yet, but we’re seeing it coming and they’re creating more chances,” Montgomery added.
The fact that Dvorský is starting to feel comfortable on the ice after a less impressive start to the season is a good sign for his future in the NHL and the national team.
“I think I have improved the small details of my game,” said the young forward. “Also, my defense and play without the puck has improved. Offensive play with the puck has always come more naturally to me, but it’s also getting better and better over time.”
Dvorský is an offensive weapon, especially in the power play. He scored exactly half of his 14 points in it. Thanks to his excellent shot, he regularly starts in the first power formation with the team’s best players.
On average, he spends more than two minutes per game in a numerical advantage on the ice. He scored five goals in the power play, which is the most of the entire Blues team.
He has a total of nine goals and is only three hits short of tying the club leader.
He can play a key role in the Olympics
St. Louis will play only four games before the Olympics (January 29 against Florida, January 31 against Columbus, February 2 in Nashville and February 4 in Dallas). Then the players from the NHL will move to Milan to their national team selections.
Dvorský will be the youngest member of the Slovak hockey team in Italy.
“It’s the biggest tournament there is, especially with NHL players. I’m looking forward to representing my country because it’s always an honor. Many Slovaks will come to see us and it will be fun to play in front of our fans,” Dvorský described his feelings about his first Olympics.
“Just being there is great. I’m going to try to leave everything on the ice for my country.”
Dvorský’s role in Milan is not yet known. He’s getting in shape in the NHL, but he doesn’t have much experience yet. He got a glimpse of the senior national team for the first time last year, when he played at the World Cup.
“Based on the Slovakian lineup, I think that Dvorský can play a key role for the team’s success. His current form should help him represent his country well,” journalist Lou Korac said about him.
Dalibor Dvorský during the 2025 World Hockey Championship. (Author: SPORTNET – OSCAR LARSSON)
He won’t go to the farm anymore, they are happy in the club
Dvorský also gathers experience in the club, where it appears that he has a good leader. In one of the last practices, he was in formation with captain Brayden Schenn, who is also a center. The young Slovak naturally asked whether he should play center or left wing.
Schenn answered clearly: “I’m the left wing, you’re the center. Play your position.”
Coach Montgomery also praised the interaction: “If the captain tells Dvorsky to play center, it will elevate his game. This is leadership.”
The young center has a future in the team. Journalist Korac assumes that he has already settled in the club for good and will not travel to the farm.
“I believe the trajectory he’s on shows he’ll be a Blues player for a long time. They’re happy with his growth at the club,” added Korac.
The manager feels embarrassed
However, what they cannot be satisfied with is the club’s season as such. St. Louis Blues are having a very bad year. With 47 points after 53 games, they are in second-to-last place in the Western Conference and the entire NHL. Only Vancouver is worse.
The Blues are currently ten points short of the playoffs and their form does not indicate that they are going to reverse this balance. They have lost five duels in a row and eight of the last ten games.
Of all NHL teams, they have the worst offense, scoring the fewest goals ever (130).
“Obviously, we feel embarrassed about where we are in the standings,” commented general manager Doug Armstrong.
Edmonton striker Matt Savoie (22) and Dalibor Dvorský (54). (Author: TASR/AP)
An unsuccessful year can trigger a sale of players in the team before the trade deadline. Forwards Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, captain Brayden Schenn, defender Justin Faulk and goalkeeper Jordan Binnington are among the most likely names to leave Missouri.
A lost season can suit Dvorský. Since they will fight for a good position in the draft, the Slovak could get more space on the ice.
He should also have it at the upcoming Olympics. This season, he is the only Slovak who starts in the NHL as a center. Even if he will be the youngest in the team, he should be among the most talented.
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