McKeens mid season rankings

[Pierre McGuire]

Feels more and more like we will be in that dmen range. I still expect Carels to be the #3 ranked player by draft day
Bjorck up to #8….hes small but man he is a dynamic player.

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/draft/

[hockey jedi]

It's not like we have an overabundance of defenseman prospects, but we do have some good ones. However, I'll bet they make an attempt to trade down if the next 3-4 best players available at the time they draft are defenseman.

[tfriede2]

It's not like we have an overabundance of defenseman prospects, but we do have some good ones. However, I'll bet they make an attempt to trade down if the next 3-4 best players available at the time they draft are defenseman.

We have a lot of 4-6 prospects who have an outside shot of being a top 4 d-man (Fischer, Ralph, Lindstein types), but only one that has an ok or decent shot at being a top pairing guy in Jiricek. If the BPA when the Blues draft is a d-man, we should take him, IMO. Especially since Faulk will be on his way out, Fowler is who he is and is just a stop gap for 2-3 years, and Parayko is looking more and more like an offensive black hole who will need to be replaced in 4 years (about the time that whoever we draft would be presumably coming into their own in the NHL). I’d say that we desperately need more quality D than quality O going forward, but of course that can change quickly with trades. Reid, Verhoeff, Carey’s would immediately be on par with Jiricek in terms of our top prospects, and each would have a realistic chance of being a top pairing guy in a few years (though more likely a top 4 guy). To me, that’s far more appealing than another top 6 winger. But, like I said, it all depends. If we trade Kyrou for a young top 4 d-man, then all of a sudden another top 6 forward prospecy sounds like a good idea. In short, go BPA.

[hockey jedi]

You make a good point. The complexion of our prospect pool will change dramatically with trade deadline acquisitions and picks, and then our needs will change.

[Bluesfan1978]

I watched the SOO game Friday and the Blues have no D prospects that play like Reid. His skating was effortless, can really move when he needs to, logged a ton of ice time and just always seemed in control. I couldn't see any weakness in that game and can definitely see him anchor a PP and play top pair mins. Jiricek shows potential and can make some high end plays but he doesn't control the pace of the game like Reid did here and Jiricek you're never quite sure how the play is going to go.
Fisher had a strong game as well but again no player controlled the game like Reid did.
I've not watched the other D prospects for the draft but I'd be more than happy if Reid was selected by the Blues.

[seattleblue]

It's not like we have an overabundance of defenseman prospects, but we do have some good ones. However, I'll bet they make an attempt to trade down if the next 3-4 best players available at the time they draft are defenseman.

We have a lot of 4-6 prospects who have an outside shot of being a top 4 d-man (Fischer, Ralph, Lindstein types), but only one that has an ok or decent shot at being a top pairing guy in Jiricek. If the BPA when the Blues draft is a d-man, we should take him, IMO. Especially since Faulk will be on his way out, Fowler is who he is and is just a stop gap for 2-3 years, and Parayko is looking more and more like an offensive black hole who will need to be replaced in 4 years (about the time that whoever we draft would be presumably coming into their own in the NHL). I’d say that we desperately need more quality D than quality O going forward, but of course that can change quickly with trades. Reid, Verhoeff, Carey’s would immediately be on par with Jiricek in terms of our top prospects, and each would have a realistic chance of being a top pairing guy in a few years (though more likely a top 4 guy). To me, that’s far more appealing than another top 6 winger. But, like I said, it all depends. If we trade Kyrou for a young top 4 d-man, then all of a sudden another top 6 forward prospecy sounds like a good idea. In short, go BPA.

I was today old when I heard about the tragic plummeting of Lindstein's ceiling. He's having a strong on track year and his development has been linear and he's projected as a 2. He has an outside shot to be a 4 now? Is that just impatience?

[Pierre McGuire]

I watched the SOO game Friday and the Blues have no D prospects that play like Reid. His skating was effortless, can really move when he needs to, logged a ton of ice time and just always seemed in control. I couldn't see any weakness in that game and can definitely see him anchor a PP and play top pair mins. Jiricek shows potential and can make some high end plays but he doesn't control the pace of the game like Reid did here and Jiricek you're never quite sure how the play is going to go.
Fisher had a strong game as well but again no player controlled the game like Reid did.
I've not watched the other D prospects for the draft but I'd be more than happy if Reid was selected by the Blues.

Reid is a great player no doubt. I can definitely see the Blues having interest in him. Still think Carels just has a far better presence on the ice from an overall game but I’d be fine if the Blues ended up with Reid.

[Bluesfan1978]

I watched the SOO game Friday and the Blues have no D prospects that play like Reid. His skating was effortless, can really move when he needs to, logged a ton of ice time and just always seemed in control. I couldn't see any weakness in that game and can definitely see him anchor a PP and play top pair mins. Jiricek shows potential and can make some high end plays but he doesn't control the pace of the game like Reid did here and Jiricek you're never quite sure how the play is going to go.
Fisher had a strong game as well but again no player controlled the game like Reid did.
I've not watched the other D prospects for the draft but I'd be more than happy if Reid was selected by the Blues.

Reid is a great player no doubt. I can definitely see the Blues having interest in him. Still think Carels just has a far better presence on the ice from an overall game but I’d be fine if the Blues ended up with Reid.

As long as we come away with a number 1 D it doesn’t matter to me. That’s of course if they pick a D.
If they pick in the. 3-6 range should still land a top D or Center.

[seattleblue]

I watched Peanuts so I know about Lucy and the football so before I dedicate hours of attention into deciding whether I prefer Carels or Reid I need to be sure this team is getting one of them. This is a choice you have at precisely pick #3 actually, and that is very unlikely for the Blues. They would pretty much have to finish third worst and have nobody with a superior record jump them in the lottery, the bottom two would have to remain the bottom two or else the third place Blues will get displaced right out of this choice.

and the chances of the two worst teams both having their ball selected is low. It seems like Blues will either luck into one of the two balls and pick 1-2 or else they will be in the 5-8 range. They win the first ball they have a choice. They win the second ball their fate just happens to them.

But if they win zero lottery balls they only end up in this pick if they actually finish the regular season with the worst record.
(then this Reid vs, Carels choice becomes actually the most likely choice)

Or finish second but 1 team jumps them (mayyyybe but again, Charlie Lucy football)

[tfriede2]

It's not like we have an overabundance of defenseman prospects, but we do have some good ones. However, I'll bet they make an attempt to trade down if the next 3-4 best players available at the time they draft are defenseman.

We have a lot of 4-6 prospects who have an outside shot of being a top 4 d-man (Fischer, Ralph, Lindstein types), but only one that has an ok or decent shot at being a top pairing guy in Jiricek. If the BPA when the Blues draft is a d-man, we should take him, IMO. Especially since Faulk will be on his way out, Fowler is who he is and is just a stop gap for 2-3 years, and Parayko is looking more and more like an offensive black hole who will need to be replaced in 4 years (about the time that whoever we draft would be presumably coming into their own in the NHL). I’d say that we desperately need more quality D than quality O going forward, but of course that can change quickly with trades. Reid, Verhoeff, Carey’s would immediately be on par with Jiricek in terms of our top prospects, and each would have a realistic chance of being a top pairing guy in a few years (though more likely a top 4 guy). To me, that’s far more appealing than another top 6 winger. But, like I said, it all depends. If we trade Kyrou for a young top 4 d-man, then all of a sudden another top 6 forward prospecy sounds like a good idea. In short, go BPA.

I was today old when I heard about the tragic plummeting of Lindstein's ceiling. He's having a strong on track year and his development has been linear and he's projected as a 2. He has an outside shot to be a 4 now? Is that just impatience?

Yeah, you’re definitely right. Lindstein is in another tier than our non-Jiricek d-prospects. He’s still on track to potentially be a top 4 guy.

[seattleblue]

It's not like we have an overabundance of defenseman prospects, but we do have some good ones. However, I'll bet they make an attempt to trade down if the next 3-4 best players available at the time they draft are defenseman.

We have a lot of 4-6 prospects who have an outside shot of being a top 4 d-man (Fischer, Ralph, Lindstein types), but only one that has an ok or decent shot at being a top pairing guy in Jiricek. If the BPA when the Blues draft is a d-man, we should take him, IMO. Especially since Faulk will be on his way out, Fowler is who he is and is just a stop gap for 2-3 years, and Parayko is looking more and more like an offensive black hole who will need to be replaced in 4 years (about the time that whoever we draft would be presumably coming into their own in the NHL). I’d say that we desperately need more quality D than quality O going forward, but of course that can change quickly with trades. Reid, Verhoeff, Carey’s would immediately be on par with Jiricek in terms of our top prospects, and each would have a realistic chance of being a top pairing guy in a few years (though more likely a top 4 guy). To me, that’s far more appealing than another top 6 winger. But, like I said, it all depends. If we trade Kyrou for a young top 4 d-man, then all of a sudden another top 6 forward prospecy sounds like a good idea. In short, go BPA.

I was today old when I heard about the tragic plummeting of Lindstein's ceiling. He's having a strong on track year and his development has been linear and he's projected as a 2. He has an outside shot to be a 4 now? Is that just impatience?

Yeah, you’re definitely right. Lindstein is in another tier than our non-Jiricek d-prospects. He’s still on track to potentially be a top 4 guy.

I've just got a lot of comfort with his game and trajectory and development that I've seen. This is a minutes player no doubt in my mind

I will also refer to my vocal advocacy for Fischer as legit top 4 potential

[dhsux]

If the draft is held tomorrow ....given this team as we now know it.....and Blues end up with the 4th or 5th pick .....would any of you do anything other than your best attempt at a best player selection?

Or might you trade a few slots away with a nice return to get a center?

I'm sensing no one really advocating for that.

[seattleblue]

speaking of ... currently it's the start of the second period in a game between Fischer and Jiricek. Fischer and Reid are both on the Soo Greyhounds. Fischer just defended a PP chance from Jiricek

[Meathead]

If the draft is held tomorrow ....given this team as we now know it.....and Blues end up with the 4th or 5th pick .....would any of you do anything other than your best attempt at a best player selection?

Or might you trade a few slots away with a nice return to get a center?

I'm sensing no one really advocating for that.

Unless a team in the top 3/4 prioritizes a center, at least one of the top ranked centers will be available for us - Lawrence or Maholtra.

I view this draft as Mckenna at the top, Stenberg and Voerhoff in the next tier, then Reid & Carels and then Malhotra or Lawrence. Then you have guys creeping up on that tier like Smits, Bjorck and Belchetz. Smits I could really see rising with a decent olympic performance.

[seattleblue]

WHAT a pounce and shot by Fischer to tie this game 2-2 with 8min to go in the third.

[Bluesfan1978]

speaking of ... currently it's the start of the second period in a game between Fischer and Jiricek. Fischer and Reid are both on the Soo Greyhounds. Fischer just defended a PP chance from Jiricek

Did Reid get hurt?