Which defenseman prospect arrives first?

[John Cocktoastin]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

I would put Ralph and Burns in that mold.

[STL fan in MN]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

Regarding defense first, that’d be Lindstein but he doesn’t bring the nasty. He’s more of a Jonas Brodin type.

D first and nasty would be Koromyslov and Burns. Maybe Ralph but while he’s big, he’s sort of like Parayko. Will use his size at times but isn’t overly mean. And Loof is mean and D first in the fact that his offense is near non-existent but he still has some pretty big holes defensively which is why he’s not truly much of a legit call-up option IMO.

[the miracle]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

I would put Ralph and Burns in that mold.

Appreciate the info!

[the miracle]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

Regarding defense first, that’d be Lindstein but he doesn’t bring the nasty. He’s more of a Jonas Brodin type.

D first and nasty would be Koromyslov and Burns. Maybe Ralph but while he’s big, he’s sort of like Parayko. Will use his size at times but isn’t overly mean. And Loof is mean and D first in the fact that his offense is near non-existent but he still has some pretty big holes defensively which is why he’s not truly much of a legit call-up option IMO.

Thank you!

[smilinjoefission]

I would assume any major D injury or 2 would mean Rosen up, but Lindstein is really a couple injuries from playing now and in the mix next season if the Blues move some D this season. Jiricek is probably 2-3 seasons away the major point being Lindstein has been playing against men since 2021-22, not junior aged men, actual Pros so he has ALOT more experience than Jiricek. Not counting Skinner and Loof, who aren't really prospects anymore.

Do you think Jiricek is in the AHL next season?

I think for him to develop that's where he should be next season...but who knows, one strong camp maybe he makes the Blues. I can't see the Blues going into another season with Faulk, Parayko, Fowler, Broberg, Tucker, and Mailloux.

[Rollin' on the River]

Lindstein, easily.

Looking forward to seeing Jiricek at WJC. His point production in the first half of his 19 year old juniors season is giving everyone a distorted picture of his development because he's on a team that comes in waves of offense and he is one piece of the whole but it's not being generated by him as the support beam. Jiricek's juniors team is likely to be playing longer than the Blues or Springfield this season, so the next time he will be with the Blues is this upcoming summer/fall.

Incidentally, Blues just played Tampa who had D'Astous on their roster. He was the top defenseman on Lindstein's Swedish team last year and I wondered why he was not in the NHL, now he is. Offensive defenseman, a little risky defensively. Charles D'Anton D'Ambrosious D'Astous.

That last name would take up a lot of space on the back of a sweater

[Old_Goat]

Lindstein, easily.

Looking forward to seeing Jiricek at WJC. His point production in the first half of his 19 year old juniors season is giving everyone a distorted picture of his development because he's on a team that comes in waves of offense and he is one piece of the whole but it's not being generated by him as the support beam. Jiricek's juniors team is likely to be playing longer than the Blues or Springfield this season, so the next time he will be with the Blues is this upcoming summer/fall.

Incidentally, Blues just played Tampa who had D'Astous on their roster. He was the top defenseman on Lindstein's Swedish team last year and I wondered why he was not in the NHL, now he is. Offensive defenseman, a little risky defensively. Charles D'Anton D'Ambrosious D'Astous.

That last name would take up a lot of space on the back of a sweater

Just put on "3D"

[Boomac]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

I would put Ralph and Burns in that mold.

Ralph doesn't do it every shift or game but he's absolutely blown up a few guys this year. But I wouldn't call his game nasty or feisty like Jackman or Edmundson. But if he gets an opportunity for a clean lick, it looks like he'll use that option.

[John Cocktoastin]

Taylor's not wrong that he's on pucks, he's competitive, he hits, he gets time in all situations (but more PP). He could be a #1. But he left out "defensively solid" which is different than "he hits" and he left out "high IQ" he said competitive. he's left room for Jiricek to be making some poor decisions and out of position defensively, which I have seen despite the true description of his offensive abilities and hitting which has stepped way up right from the start of the season. Since there is time for him to keep developing and WJC is often a springboard for confidence we shall see where it goes. Just being cautious. I know people will quote this a lot since it's so positive. See inside of the quote a little though and you'll see the possible gaps in his development that we're hoping for still to come.

This is going to be an overly simplistic assessment - so I hope you'll forgive me in advance - but Mailloux, Broberg, and Jiricek seem to be cut from similar cloths -> offensively minded, good skating, room to improve on defense.

Do the Blues have any prospects that are defense first (with maybe a little nasty to their game?) Does Ralph fit that mold?

I would put Ralph and Burns in that mold.

Ralph doesn't do it every shift or game but he's absolutely blown up a few guys this year. But I wouldn't call his game nasty or feisty like Jackman or Edmundson. But if he gets an opportunity for a clean lick, it looks like he'll use that option.

Agreed, but he needs to embrace more of it. He's a big dude.

He blew a guy up in a prospect camp last year I attended right into the boards. He towered over everyone. Just seems like he has it. Just needs to do it more.

[seattleblue]

mean nasty defense with some actual skill? Yes Burns and Ralph, but:

LUKAS FISCHER

seems like a lock for third pairing left defenseman, with room to improve. student of the game, leader, ice stance that looks like Pronger's (just they way they both stand on the ice, it's striking), can bomb a shot, very fast, mean, nasty.

[John Cocktoastin]

mean nasty defense with some actual skill? Yes Burns and Ralph, but:

LUKAS FISCHER

seems like a lock for third pairing left defenseman, with room to improve. student of the game, leader, ice stance that looks like Pronger's (just they way they both stand on the ice, it's striking), can bomb a shot, very fast, mean, nasty.

Awesome point, Seattle.

I didn't realize his brother is 6'7". Imagine if Lukas keeps eating his fruits and vegetables.

Good write up and examples of his physical play here: Link

[Frank Barone]

Lindstein is by far the most likely to arrive first, and he will likely stick. So then for a few years, we'll have Broberg, Fowler and LIndstein in some order.

In the not too distant future, we'll also have Ralph, Fischer and Koromslov in the minors, which will be good.

Burns has been playing in the ECHL, which is not a good sign for him.

Really looking forward to seeing Lindstein in a Blues uniform soon.

[zamadoo]

mean nasty defense with some actual skill? Yes Burns and Ralph, but:

LUKAS FISCHER

seems like a lock for third pairing left defenseman, with room to improve. student of the game, leader, ice stance that looks like Pronger's (just they way they both stand on the ice, it's striking), can bomb a shot, very fast, mean, nasty.

Yes! I think of Burns first, but only because I didn't know until somewhat recently that Fischer was also aggressive and has attitude.

Someone I almost never hear anyone talk about is Gaudet. Maybe there's not much to talk about, but he seemed good in camp. I hardly see him play, but thought he was a decent prospect until he turned pro and played two seasons in the ECHL. Still only 22. Tall, lanky, offensive type, could see how maybe his physicality and defensive game didn't hold up against pro AHLers, but maybe he's grown into that game, and his body?

Buchinger is another guy who I think had injuries and is often overlooked due to being a smaller offensive minded defenseman, but he is a smart player who is still only 21 until April. Doesn't look as small vs pros than I thought, listed at 6'0. Hasn't produced at the pro level yet.

Johannesson - did they just want another Swede they saw performing well in the SHL and international play? Small offensive RHD, 24. Is there enough runway for this guy to develop into an NHLer? 5'11 176 is going to need to be fast like Kris Russell (who had a decent career) and probably some nice hands and passing to go with it.

[seattleblue]

mean nasty defense with some actual skill? Yes Burns and Ralph, but:

LUKAS FISCHER

seems like a lock for third pairing left defenseman, with room to improve. student of the game, leader, ice stance that looks like Pronger's (just they way they both stand on the ice, it's striking), can bomb a shot, very fast, mean, nasty.

Yes! I think of Burns first, but only because I didn't know until somewhat recently that Fischer was also aggressive and has attitude.

Someone I almost never hear anyone talk about is Gaudet. Maybe there's not much to talk about, but he seemed good in camp. I hardly see him play, but thought he was a decent prospect until he turned pro and played two seasons in the ECHL. Still only 22. Tall, lanky, offensive type, could see how maybe his physicality and defensive game didn't hold up against pro AHLers, but maybe he's grown into that game, and his body?

Buchinger is another guy who I think had injuries and is often overlooked due to being a smaller offensive minded defenseman, but he is a smart player who is still only 21 until April. Doesn't look as small vs pros than I thought, listed at 6'0. Hasn't produced at the pro level yet.

Johannesson - did they just want another Swede they saw performing well in the SHL and international play? Small offensive RHD, 24. Is there enough runway for this guy to develop into an NHLer? 5'11 176 is going to need to be fast like Kris Russell (who had a decent career) and probably some nice hands and passing to go with it.

Buchinger and Johannesson are ok for the AHL level but that's their limit I think, Gaudet is an afterthought unfortunately. But Fischer and Chase Reid on the Soo Greyhounds should be interesting the remainder of the year. Watching Sarnia was a (bleep) chore