**Young St. Louis Blues Squad to Face Blackhawks in Final Preseason Game**

As the St. Louis Blues gear up for the 2024-25 season opener in Seattle, Head Coach Drew Bannister has decided to deploy a youthful squad for their last preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks. This matchup will take place in Milwaukee on Saturday at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on the NHL Network.

Reflecting on the team's recent 4-3 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars, Bannister expressed satisfaction with their performance but noted there are still a few aspects he wants to see refined in the final exhibition game. "We're giving a chance to some of the younger players we assigned to Springfield earlier this week," Bannister said. "We want to see how they perform and ensure that our current players maintain the standards, work ethic, and commitment we've established."

To this end, Bannister has recalled eight players from Springfield, including Dalibor Dvorsky and Dylan Peterson, for Saturday's game. The plan includes goaltender Vadim Zherenko guarding the net for two periods, while Joel Hofer will handle one period of play.

The roster features a mix of forwards and defensemen keen to make an impression. Forwards such as Zack Bolduc, Mathieu Joseph, and Kasperi Kapanen will join newcomers like Aleksanteri Kaskimaki and Nathan Walker. On the defense, players like Scott Perunovich, Tyler Tucker, and Hunter Skinner will be looking to bolster the team's backend.

This final preseason contest represents a crucial opportunity for the young talent to showcase their abilities and earn a spot on the regular-season roster. The performance of these young players will be closely watched as the Blues aim to maintain their high standards and strong work ethic heading into the new season.