Tank-a-thon, who do you like? Plus who goes?

[Pierre McGuire]

If the Blues finish 6-10 you can probably pencil in William Eklund. Not sure he will be more than just a 20 goal scorer but he has everything else in spades. I wouldn’t hate that pick honestly. 11 -15 though, I want Lakovic

What do ya think of Jackson Smith? Im startin to like him the more I read about sm.

I think there is a good chance he goes top 5.

So the big Swede Frondell is a total pipe dream?

Not if we finish top 5

i don't like the idea of tanking. You invite a losing culture into the locker room.
But even still...if you are going to tank, this is not the year to do it. The draft is pretty weak compared to last years draft.
(At least, that is what the pundits are saying)

There’s 4 big prospects at the top. After those 4 it’s a decent drop off

How do these top four actually stack up to recent previous top 4's?
I am honestly asking because I don't know. This draft doesn't have a Bedard or a Celebrini. Last years draft was great up top and there was quality to be had in the top 12....
Pierre, if you are reading this, I would welcome your thoughts...

I think it’s pretty much Schaefer being the cream of the crop and then you have Hagens and Misa going 2 and 3 or vice versa. After that it could go a lot of different ways. Martone’s size and ability to put the puck in the net probably keeps him in the top 4. I still feel if one of the Swedes is there when we pick, we likely go that route. Eklund plays a very North American style game…he’s got a lot of grit and tenacity to his game. He’s actually one of my favorite players in this draft….again I would not hate the pick if that’s where we end up going.
With that said…if the Blues win the lottery, Schaefer is exactly the kind of young dman we need.

[so_crates]

Schafer goes to SJ
Hagens to Chicago
Misa to Nashville
Martone to Seattle
Eklund to St Louis


Depending on who wins the lotto will shake things up. If Chicago has a chance to take hagens at what ever slot they will. If SJ has a chance to take Schafer at any slot they will. If D is off the board the sharks won’t take a C. So you will probably see the top 4 move names after the lotto.

I think eklund is the big winner here and Hagen is the regret. He’s gonna be a worse Cole eiserman if he has to be the guy on a team.

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

[kimzey59]

If the Blues finish 6-10 you can probably pencil in William Eklund. Not sure he will be more than just a 20 goal scorer but he has everything else in spades. I wouldn’t hate that pick honestly. 11 -15 though, I want Lakovic

What do ya think of Jackson Smith? Im startin to like him the more I read about sm.

I think there is a good chance he goes top 5.

Not going to say it's impossible given that Reinbacher managed it, but Jackson Smith shouldn't go top 5. He's not even a given for the top 10 IMO.

JMO but the top 12:
1- Schaefer
2- Misa
3- Hagens
4- Martone(personally, I would strongly consider putting Martone above Hagens)
5- Desnoyers
6- O'Brien
7- Eklund
8- McQueen
9- Frondell
10- Smith
11- Hensler
12- Mrtka

Smith might be "better" than Hensler and Mrtka, but Hensler and Mrtka are far more valued commodities as RHD(not to mention the physical package Mrtka brings).

[John Cocktoastin]

If Martone can slide a bit or if we end up in that 5 range, I like his game. Not flashy or fast, but the game appears to come to him pretty easy. Has great size. Great shot and release. Been a captain.

Also like Eklund. Fast. Great shot. Tenacious. Good pedigree.

[TAFKAP]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

I get making the most of a lost season, as a guy who rails against "tanking" and a "losing culture", I agree with what you said 100%. I just don't get some of these guys that want to trade NHL quality players (Parayko, Binny) to recoup picks for this draft.

If i could ask, where would you see our 3 First Round picks 2 years ago, or even last years Seconds going in a draft like this?

[John Cocktoastin]

Also throw O'Brien in there at that range.

Awesome stick handling and quick shot. Shifty as heck. Flashier type player with skill.

[Bubble4427]

If the Blues finish 6-10 you can probably pencil in William Eklund. Not sure he will be more than just a 20 goal scorer but he has everything else in spades. I wouldn’t hate that pick honestly. 11 -15 though, I want Lakovic

What do ya think of Jackson Smith? Im startin to like him the more I read about sm.

I think there is a good chance he goes top 5.

So the big Swede Frondell is a total pipe dream?

Not if we finish top 5

i don't like the idea of tanking. You invite a losing culture into the locker room.
But even still...if you are going to tank, this is not the year to do it. The draft is pretty weak compared to last years draft.
(At least, that is what the pundits are saying)

There’s 4 big prospects at the top. After those 4 it’s a decent drop off

How do these top four actually stack up to recent previous top 4's?
I am honestly asking because I don't know. This draft doesn't have a Bedard or a Celebrini. Last years draft was great up top and there was quality to be had in the top 12....
Pierre, if you are reading this, I would welcome your thoughts...

I think it’s pretty much Schaefer being the cream of the crop and then you have Hagens and Misa going 2 and 3 or vice versa. After that it could go a lot of different ways. Martone’s size and ability to put the puck in the net probably keeps him in the top 4. I still feel if one of the Swedes is there when we pick, we likely go that route. Eklund plays a very North American style game…he’s got a lot of grit and tenacity to his game. He’s actually one of my favorite players in this draft….again I would not hate the pick if that’s where we end up going.
With that said…if the Blues win the lottery, Schaefer is exactly the kind of young dman we need.

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it!

[noted]

The Blues are somewhere around #7 right now, Buffalo is currently hot can the Blues slip as far as #5? At this point for me, blow this mess up as much as reasonably possible. The JAG vets, bottom 6ers, who ever can be moved between now and this Summer. If Schenn, Suter, Faksa, Sunny, Walker, Torop want to go play in the playoffs then please do it. The bottom three Center spots are awful and the bottom 6 wingers aside from Texier, Bolduc and Neighbours can all go IMO.

If the Blues can slide that far I'd really like to see Anton Frondell at #5, Desnoyers from the Q gives my pause as would any highly touted kid from the Q, deservedly so or not. Who else do you like between #5-#10 because this looks like the Blues path again. McQueen, Jackson Smtih, Mrtka, Desnoyers or Eklund? Im not too hung up on the Blues "need to hit on a star" because for me the goal is to keep filling the system with very good young kids some will pan out in a big way.

For the offseason, Center has to be the focus for me Schenn, Sunny and Faksa are the worst bottom 9 centers in the NHL, no playmaking, not much speed this is the #1 issue with the offense. Schenn can be a LW and Sunny could be the 4th RW or press box next year but this has to be resolved.
Will Bennett resign in Florida? He would be my #1 target. Then Frederic AND Kunin for the bottom six centers which add size, some skill, speed and grit along with the kitschy hometown thing.

So somehow id like to see

Centers: Bennett (stretch), Thomas, Frederic, Kunin, Dvorsky
Wings: Kyrou, Buch, Holloway, Schenn (I guess), Neighbours, Bolduc, Kaskimaki, Joseph, Sunny ( I guess), Texier, FA RW (big tough winger?)
D: Parayko, Fowler, Brobie, Faulk, Leddy, Tucker, Kessel

What the heck has Texier done that you say he’s a keeper? He can go as well.

[seattleblue]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

Eklund was a little buzzsaw at WJC as we saw, relentless.
But I think I prefer Frondell more. People who love a skilled physical force will love him

Where I'm at right now is if we win #1 lotto, Schaefer.
if we win #2 lotto, Misa.

They are sitting on pick 7 as we speak.
One of Desnoyers, O'Brien or Frondell are the big three for me right now.
If we draft one of those three players it's a huge positive step.

[smilinjoefission]

https://www.bleachernation.com/nhl/2025 ... k-draft-2/

Got Hagens 1st which isn't a surprise, but McQueen going 2nd...haven't seen him this high on any list.

[neverchange27]

Blues fans and Texier. Another strange obsession within the confines of Missery lol!

[the miracle]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

I wish there was a way to favorite posts, I would love to refer back to this around draft time to better understand who the Blues eventually end up getting.

[neverchange27]

So take a screen shot, Einstein.

[STL fan in MN]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

I get making the most of a lost season, as a guy who rails against "tanking" and a "losing culture", I agree with what you said 100%. I just don't get some of these guys that want to trade NHL quality players (Parayko, Binny) to recoup picks for this draft.

If i could ask, where would you see our 3 First Round picks 2 years ago, or even last years Seconds going in a draft like this?

I wouldn’t trade either Parayko or Binnnington. We have absolutely nothing behind Parayko on the right side. And while I could see Hofer as our #1 eventually, it would be a disservice to him and his development to throw him into that role today. But I would be ok shaking up the core of the right trade came along. Like if the rumors are true that there’s legit interest in Schenn. Would ideally need to he’s hockey trade though. Can’t just keep acquiring picks.

As for where some of our recent draftees would go in this draft, here’s about where I’d value them:

Dvorsky I’d put in that 4-9 group. Stenberg and Lindstein probably around 12-20. Snuggerud in the 10-15 group. Jiricek probably around the 12-18 range.

[Cahokanut]

The Blues don’t need to “tank”. They’re just bad. That said, if they lose a few more games and end up drafting 5th instead of 8th or 10th, I won’t be sad about it. Those few games difference on a lost season doesn’t instill a “losing culture”.

Overall, this is shaping up to be a pretty mediocre draft. As of now, I see about 20 players I’d give a 1st round grade to. So plenty of guys will go in the late 1st that would typically go in the 2nd round in most years. That said, the top 9 or so is decently strong. There’s no Bedard or Celebrini at the top but there’s some decent players available.

It’s still pretty early but here’s how I see it as of today:

1. Matthew Schaefer - 6’2”, projects to be a #1 LD. He’s been nothing short of fantastic this season. Do former d-men going #1 overall and not living up to the hype give me a bit of pause (EJ, Ekblad, Power etc)? Yes. But he’s been that good that I’d still rank him #1.

2. Michael Misa - 6’1” C/LW. Should be a top line player. Some see him more as a wing but I think he’ll be able to stick at C. Very talented and smart.

3. James Hagens - 5’11 C. Also projects as a #1 C. Came into the year as the consensus #1. He hasn’t fallen so much IMO but more that Schaefer and Misa passed him a bit. These 3 are the cream of the crop IMO though.

4. Caleb Desnoyers - 6’2” C. He’s been tearing up the Q, has size, projects as a C and brings a very solid two-way game. He's not as dynamic as a few others but he just gets it done and is simply a super complete player.

5. Jake O’Brien - 6’2” C. A little more dynamic but lacking the two-way game of Desnoyers a bit.

6. Anton Frondell - 6’0” C. Has dealt with some injuries but when he’s playing, he’s been good in the Allsvenskan. Very talented. I’d like to see more of him. Hopefully he can play in the U18s this year. He missed last year’s tourney bc of injury.

7. Porter Martone - 6’3” RW. Very skilled, has size and works his butt off. I bet he’ll go in the 4-6 range but I have him a tad lower. He has slow feet and just alright hockey sense. That gives me a little pause with him.

8. Roger McQueen - 6’5” C. Very skilled, huge, has a bit of a mean streak. But has barely played this season due to a back injury. Also a bit of a hot head.

9. Victor Eklund - 5’11” LW. Very slick winger. Younger brother of the Sharks’ William Eklund. Similarly talented IMO. Looked pretty good for the Swedes at the U20s.

This is where I see a drop off as of now…

10. Jackson Smith - 6’3” LD. Big and mobile. I’d say he likely projects as a 2nd pairing two-way d-man.

11. Logan Hensler - 6’2” RD. Another guy I’d project as a top-4 d-man.

12. Kashawn Aitcheson - 6’1” LD. He’s tough as nails. See him as someone that’s very likely to make it as a 2nd to 3rd pairing d-man that brings a lot of intangibles. Perhaps not a needle mover but a likely fan favorite.

13. Radon Mrtka - 6’6” RD. Huge, plays the right side, putting up points, he’ll go high. I’m not sure he really projects higher than the others though. Questionable puck skills.

14. Ivan Ryabkin - 6’0” C. Had a horrible start to the season in Russia (was in conversation for #1 overall preseason) and has now moved to the USHL to get his season on track. He’s been his team’s leading scorer since the switch. I need to see more of him to get a better opinion on him still. But the skill is obvious. What I’ve yet to determine is why he’s not putting up points this season like he has in the past.

Carter Bear, Malcolm Spence, Braeden Cootes etc…these are guys I’d see at late 1st rounders most years but they’ll go around 15-20 this year peobably.

So not a great crop this year but if the Blues can get one of those top guys, I’d be happy. One of the top-3 (would likely take a lottery win) would be fantastic. But the 5-6 guys after them are quite good too.

Great write up on this year's draft.