Zach Dean’s Potential Still Looms Large for the Blues
Despite an injury-shortened season, Zach Dean is showing flashes of potential - his two-way upside still fits perfectly in Blues' long-term plans.
When the Blues shipped Ivan Barbashev to Vegas in Feb. 2023, the centerpiece coming back wasn’t a pick — it was Zach Dean.
The tenacious, two-way forward came with a strong resume: captain material in the QMJHL, a gold medal winner with Canada at the U20 World Juniors, and a first-round pedigree. He wasn’t flashy, but he was reliable — a player who could play hard minutes, kill penalties, and chip in when needed.
That kind of player still holds value. And even with a rocky second year in the AHL, Dean’s potential hasn’t disappeared…entirely.
Injuries Delayed the Takeoff, but the Ending Was Strong
Dean’s first full season with the Springfield Thunderbirds didn’t go as planned. A lingering injury held him to just 11 regular-season games. In that time, he managed 4 points — 1 goal, 3 assists — and mostly played in a middle-six role as he eased back into the lineup.
But then came the final two games of the season.
Dean notched a goal and an assist in those closing contests, looking more like the version of himself Blues fans were hoping to see. In the Thunderbirds’ lone playoff game, he added another goal and now has three points in his last three games of the year.
Small sample size? Absolutely.
Encouraging? Without a doubt.
Quick Scouting Report: Zach Dean
Position: C/LW
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 179 lbs
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 30th overall in 2021 by Vegas
What He Does Well:
Aggressive forechecker with high motor
Strong defensive awareness — even as a rookie pro
Willing to battle in dirty areas and win pucks
Smart in all three zones
Sneaky offensive instincts, especially off the rush or in tight
Needs to Improve:
Health — availability is the first step to dependability
Offensive consistency at the pro level
Adding strength to hold up better against AHL/NHL physicality
What’s Next?
Assuming a healthy offseason, Dean should be a core player for Springfield next season. Expect him to get top-six minutes, penalty-kill time, and the opportunity to prove he can produce with more responsibility.
As far as NHL upside goes, Dean projects as a bottom-six forward with the ability to move up when needed. He’s got all the traits coaches love: dependable, versatile, competitive, smart. If his offense takes another step, we might be talking about a full-time NHLer sooner than later.
For now, the Blues can afford to be patient. But if you’re looking at who could push for a call-up by midseason 2025 — Zach Dean is very much on that radar.
What are your thoughts on Dean’s ceiling — future third-line anchor or potential middle-six surprise? Drop your take in the comments.