Which LW: Gavin McKenna vs Ivar Stenberg

[SameOldBlues]

I don’t know much of anything about Malhotra, is he Top 5 pick worthy? Or, is he top line material, elite in any areas?

Probably not top 5 but certainly top 10 IMO.
Looks like a prototypical #2 center more than a top line guy. High end motor and IQ, outstanding defensively for his age, above average puck skills and passing, good shot but doesn't use it enough(more willing than Thomas was at the same age but he could still improve there).
Plays a lot like Thomas(more physical than Thomas but not as good of a skater).

Thanks for the synopsis on him. If we’re pickin Top 10 then id hope there’d be a player with more potential than a 2C ceiling, but I still dont have a handle on how good of a draft this ends up being. Starting to think it’s not as good towards the top half as other drafts, so maybe he’s the best available around the tenth pick?

[Old_Goat]

Such a great Post-Subject string of back & forth comments today! A lot of very smart analysis and great info on potential prospects. The challenge (practically frustration) is the incredible parity & tight standings which can change draft order in a big way. It's going to make for some real risk/reward decisions both early and late in the time to reach the trade deadline...my mind changes daily as a fan re strategy. The only constant I wish we would have had was to stay the course, because we are on fast lane to being a potential favorite to be in the Finals...oh well.
My compliments to all, but especially for getting this started.

[seattleblue]

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

Blues arent likely to hit the top 5 currently 9.5% chance at #1

In that pick range

Malhotra
Verhoeff
Reid
Smits
Carels

Who you got Im warming to Malhotra, total Blues pick

Blues are holding the 4th overall pick at the moment but tiny fractions separate them Winnipeg and Chicago from 2d pick thru 4th pick.

WPG/CHI play each other today and one will automatically have a better record after that game.

WPG. 46809
Chicago .46875
STL .46939

[Jobafish]

1. Ivar
2. McKenna
3. Lawerence
If those 3 are gone, give me the little Tasmanian devil viggo bjorck. But if I’m the blues, I want the second pick so I don’t have to choose between ivar and mckenna

[Jobafish]

Im tired of safe picks. I want a superstar. We don’t have a superstar on the current roster.

[BleedingBleu]

Well, this might be the most interesting thing going through March

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

[BluesDom]

McKenna for sure.
He's a swell and nifty player.

[Harry S Deals]

I have a feeling if the Blues end up with #1 or #2 they are taking Ivar. Not sure if Ivar is a "safe" pick or not but he definitely fits the mold of what the Blues want to do, checks all the boxes. Could very well be All Star ppg winger

[BalotelliMassive]

You guys are taking Ivar (if you get 1st overall) just because of the Steen/family factor....

[Hazelwood72]

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.

Blues go Swede? Blue Swede?

https://youtu.be/l6DepmNwbn8?si=NNrG7mFpa1tP9WHT

[Harry S Deals]

You guys are taking Ivar (if you get 1st overall) just because of the Steen/family factor....

I have a bit of a worry about Gavin McKenna idk why exactly Im not saying in any way hes a bust. I dont know if McKenna will be a better NHL player than Ivar. Ivar plays a pretty complete game now, has speed, has skill, intensity. Yes Steen will favor Swedes too.

[Bubble4427]

McKenna is playing college puck right now and some of his reviews are mixed. Ivor is playing in the best league in Sweden and threatens to breaks records or at least finish up there with some of the greats. For me, it's Ivor all day, everyday...and twice on Sunday.
I might take a defenseman over McKenna...who knows.

[The Average Gatsby]

You guys are taking Ivar (if you get 1st overall) just because of the Steen/family factor....

After the WJC he’s ranked first by elite prospects and scott wheeler from the athletic. It’s not like it’s just stl fans that are talking about it.

[BalotelliMassive]

You guys are taking Ivar (if you get 1st overall) just because of the Steen/family factor....

I have a bit of a worry about Gavin McKenna idk why exactly Im not saying in any way hes a bust. I dont know if McKenna will be a better NHL player than Ivar. Ivar plays a pretty complete game now, has speed, has skill, intensity. Yes Steen will favor Swedes too.

I think he took a slight step back because he chose NIL money over playing in a system that suits his development. He should be at one of the big schools....not Money State.

[Younghopp1991]

You guys are taking Ivar (if you get 1st overall) just because of the Steen/family factor....

I wouldnt be so certain. Yeah steen and the swedes/euro and stenberg family are a good story, but stl/chi family rivalry would be a hard one to beat.

That being said…its a hard decision to make.

[seattleblue]

I have been saying Stenbergs are the new Hugheses and there's a third in the pipeline, a defender named Knut. Collecting them would be a clear step toward an identity, and a safe one. There's no risk about them playing with heart, which is what's killing us now. No NHL player wants to play in the current identity-less Blues locker room.

McKenna has some truly elite skill and vision, it is the real deal. I think most of the time we would choose McKenna here. but this year where the org is, it needs a definite and clear step toward an identity.