Springfield Thunderbirds fans are getting ready to welcome another key St. Louis prospect. Louis Blues after the team announced that Otto Stenberg is on his way. The 25th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft is being transferred and loaned to Springfield after spending the first half of this season with Malmö in the Swedish Hockey League.
Stenberg recently completed his second trip to the World Junior Championship with Sweden, where he had eight points in seven games. In the last two contests, Stenberg has scored 17 points in 14 games.
“After discussions with Otto and his representatives, we have agreed that it is best for him to begin his professional career in North America now,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. “We look forward to his continued development along with our other Springfield prospects.”
Stenberg will join Dalibor Dvorsky, who was selected 15 picks ahead of him in the same draft, in Springfield, putting two of the Blues’ most important prospects under one roof.
After making his SHL debut at age 17, Stenberg has appeared in 75 games in Sweden’s top league over the past three seasons. We have collected 15 points in that period. In 25 games with Malmö this season, he had six points.
Stenberg came from one of the most famous and successful clubs in Sweden, Frölunda. He has been loaned out this season in hopes of playing a bigger role in a team that needs more help. Ultimately, Stenberg still hasn’t found his professional scoring touch while playing six-and-a-half minutes with the Redhawks.
The 19-year-old has yet to return to SHL action after finishing at the World Juniors where Sweden finished a disappointing fourth in the tournament. He tied for third on the team in scoring in the event.
It’s unclear when Stenberg will make his AHL debut, but this is another exciting addition to a team that already includes Dvorsky, who was recently named to the AHL All-Star Classic.
2025 Providence Bruins vs Springfield Thunderbirds
Coming to North America now will allow the Blues to have more of a say in Stenberg’s development. He will likely get more ice time and be put in situations to succeed and put himself on the right path to making the Blues. There is no doubt that he has the talent and style of play to make him a successful NHLer and getting reps in the AHL for the rest of this year and probably the better part of next year can only help.
There will probably be an adjustment period as time and space will be difficult to get to the AHL. Stenberg is 6 feet and under 190 pounds. The physicality and speed of the AHL will present some challenges early on. But playing the second half of this season and getting a trial by fire can only help restore expectations for Stenberg and what he will need to do to make it to the NHL.
He is an exciting player with a bright future. After seeing him perform well at the World Juniors, it’s no surprise that the Blues want to add him to their squad soon.
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