Which LW: Gavin McKenna vs Ivar Stenberg

[BleedingBleu]

So, I came across this video about McKenna vs Ivar and it made me wonder what pick you all would make if both were sitting there when the Blues pick.

Check-out the video and share your thoughts. Or just share your thoughts in general.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Spoiler

Admittedly, this may have changed my fundamental feelings about this selection.

The question I came to ask myself was, “how would you want to define Blues Hockey for the next 15-20 years?”

Could St Louis Blues fans handle the type of Hockey Superstar in McKenna, or is the potential sibling tag-team in Ivar & Otto too good to pass up?

A case for McKenna… Better than Crosby, McDavid, Bedard?


McKenna had the most points at WJC
Has the higher ceiling?

A case for Ivar Stenberg… the Best Swedish Prospect ever?



Ivar’s team won WJC
Has the higher floor?

[Rollin' on the River]

I’d pick Stenberg over McKenna.

He lost me during the WJC with some of the most insufferable interviews you’ve ever seen. He also wasn’t all that impressive except against Denmark.

[juan good eye]

I’d pick Stenberg over McKenna.

He lost me during the WJC with some of the most insufferable interviews you’ve ever seen. He also wasn’t all that impressive except against Denmark.

I think both go in top 3 so give me the one likely to do better come playoffs.

Stenberg is more of a sure thing. High floor vs high ceiling.

Having brothers on the team would be interesting but would it be a distraction later on?

Does McKenna have more diva than dog in his game?

[zuck698]

Give me the brothers.

[Banner29]

I’ll take Ivar

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I’m not sold on Ivar ahead of other players. But with Steen at the helm and Otto already here, if he’s on the board, no doubt the Blues go Swede.

[IsDurbanodoingtime]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

[Pierre McGuire]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Carels is the safest pick in the draft.

[BleedingBleu]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Admittedly, it’s hard to consider a LWer with a Top 3 Pick when the Blues recently selected Carbonneau (RW) with last year’s First Rounder and they’re trading guys like Bolduc because of the Organizational depth at Wing. So, I understand why people might look elsewhere.

The right pick for the Blues might actually be Lawrence. However, I can’t help but feel intrigue at the potential Best Players in the Draft being in their grasp. One is labeled “Generational,” and the other has a sibling currently making an impression on the Blues Roster. Hard not to want what the heart wants.

[crookedfeeder]

McKenna. hands down.

[BleedingBleu]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Carels is the safest pick in the draft.

You’ve been pretty consistently high on Carson. Elite Prospects doesn’t have much to say about him, but what’s interesting is the rankings are fairly scattered.

I’d say the “experts” predominant rank him in the early teens, with a coupe as high as Top-4 and a couple others as low as 25.

Ranked #13 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #8 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #13 by CAM'S CONSENSUS
Ranked #6 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #11 by TSN/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #25 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #14 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #3 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #11 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #6 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
Ranked #4 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #25 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #13 by DOBBERPROSPECTS

Why would you pick him over McKenna, Stenberg, Lawrence, or even your boy Belchetz? Less challenge, more curiosity.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Admittedly, it’s hard to consider a LWer with a Top 3 Pick when the Blues recently selected Carbonneau (RW) with last year’s First Rounder and they’re trading guys like Bolduc because of the Organizational depth at Wing. So, I understand why people might look elsewhere.

The right pick for the Blues might actually be Lawrence. However, I can’t help but feel intrigue at the potential Best Players in the Draft being in their grasp. One is labeled “Generational,” and the other has a sibling currently making an impression on the Blues Roster. Hard not to want what the heart wants.

Yeah, and knowing the Blues, we’ll fall to the 8-10 range anyway. TBH, I’d be happy with any of Lawrence, Reid, Belchetz, Carels or Malhotra, depending on where we pick.

[BleedingBleu]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Admittedly, it’s hard to consider a LWer with a Top 3 Pick when the Blues recently selected Carbonneau (RW) with last year’s First Rounder and they’re trading guys like Bolduc because of the Organizational depth at Wing. So, I understand why people might look elsewhere.

The right pick for the Blues might actually be Lawrence. However, I can’t help but feel intrigue at the potential Best Players in the Draft being in their grasp. One is labeled “Generational,” and the other has a sibling currently making an impression on the Blues Roster. Hard not to want what the heart wants.

Yeah, and knowing the Blues, we’ll fall to the 8-10 range anyway. TBH, I’d be happy with any of Lawrence, Reid, Belchetz, Carels or Malhotra, depending on where we pick.

The fan in me wants them to get to the playoffs and ruin Denver fans’ year. However, the flirtation the last few years with rebuilding makes me want a Top 5 Pick because of relative youth and promise of better days ahead.

I don’t think they’ll make the playoffs and I certainly don’t want to get swept in the First Round if they do. However, the pro sport leagues always seem to actively work against my best interests. So, I don’t truly trust Draft Lotteries, either. Rather than worry about what I can’t control, I just look forward to what outcomes I’d like the most.

Knock out the Av’s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
-or-
Have the chance to draft a Generational Talent.

Assess my feelings if neither option manifests and get excited for the draftee, anyway.

[a smell of green grass]

Some observations:

1. It rattles the nerves to think about having to make that sort of pick.

2. I have never had to make a pick like that, and I'm thankful that the experts will do it.

3. Army has never had to make a high-stakes, uber-visible pick like that with the Blues either. Hmmmm.

4. I pointed this out months ago. Army is touted as an excellent drafter, and he has never once had to make this sort of difficult decision. When you pick 15+, if the prospect fails, it's common, and it's the prospect's fault.

[TruBlueFan_1970]

I'm kinda thinking Carels. A gamble if you have the first pick maybe but in retrospect the anointed sure thing is really not. We did the conventional safe pick with ej. In retrospect would have rather have had Fat Phil.

Carels is the safest pick in the draft.

What do you think of Smits if we fall back to that 8-10 area of the draft? His skillset reads like Broberg, but I haven’t seen much of him.

[BleedingBleu]

Some observations:

1. It rattles the nerves to think about having to make that sort of pick.

2. I have never had to make a pick like that, and I'm thankful that the experts will do it.

3. Army has never had to make a high-stakes, uber-visible pick like that with the Blues either. Hmmmm.

4. I pointed this out months ago. Army is touted as an excellent drafter, and he has never once had to make this sort of difficult decision. When you pick 15+, if the prospect fails, it's common, and it's the prospect's fault.

The problem with being in a position to draft a player like that likely means…
a.) You failed at your job
b.) You have a mess on your hands
c.) Both A & B

As for being the person to make the call, I’d be stoked. I’ve always prided myself on interviews, being a good judge of character, hiring good people, and setting up people for success and takeover. So, drafts always fascinate me, even in a video game sim