2026 Blues Draft Stategy

[Bubble4427]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

[StlFanInVA]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

[The Average Gatsby]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

Sure. But scouting is about determining which players fit that criteria. It’s very easy to say we’re going to draft a top 15 nhl center. Are you that confident Caleb Malhotra will become a top 15 center that you draft him over the 6 or so guys ahead of him in the rankings? I’m not.

[StlFanInVA]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

Sure. But scouting is about determining which players fit that criteria. It’s very easy to say we’re going to draft a top 15 nhl center. Are you that confident Caleb Malhotra will become a top 15 center that you draft him over the 6 or so guys ahead of him in the rankings? I’m not.

uh, "projected..." better?

[Harry S Deals]

If your taking Lawrence or Malhotra in the Top 8 or so of the draft one would assume they would be very hi end Centers at some point. PPG types

[The Average Gatsby]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

Sure. But scouting is about determining which players fit that criteria. It’s very easy to say we’re going to draft a top 15 nhl center. Are you that confident Caleb Malhotra will become a top 15 center that you draft him over the 6 or so guys ahead of him in the rankings? I’m not.

uh, "projected..." better?

What does this mean?

[Nublues69]

Here are my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
6. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

1) tell smellyazzz to kick rocks cause his opinion means as much to us as a smelly fart in an elevator

[tubastarr]

Keep an eye out for players with heart, grit, jam and attitude. Our current team has none of this outside of Tucker and Schenn (some nights). Walker yes, but he’s too small. Since the cup year that’s what Armstrong has traded away or let walk and never replaced it. He now has a team that is physically and mentally soft.

[a smell of green grass]

Keep an eye out for players with heart, grit, jam and attitude. Our current team has none of this outside of Tucker and Schenn (some nights). Walker yes, but he’s too small. Since the cup year that’s what Armstrong has traded away or let walk and never replaced it. He now has a team that is physically and mentally soft.

+1

[a smell of green grass]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

Sure. But scouting is about determining which players fit that criteria. It’s very easy to say we’re going to draft a top 15 nhl center. Are you that confident Caleb Malhotra will become a top 15 center that you draft him over the 6 or so guys ahead of him in the rankings? I’m not.

I updated my #2 (from my original post) from Sure TOP15 1C to Potential TOP15 1C. I did this because of our future scary lack of C's. Thomas is a BIG IF now moving forward (injury-prone and trade bait).

And when I changed my #2 principle, I also gave my thoughts on who the best C will be in the draft, Maholtra.

The Blues Scouts are sitting rink side, so hopefully they will know best.

[a smell of green grass]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

We have Wingers, and we are very thin at C. Consequently, I'd pass on Stenberg and McKenna. Both are great, but I don't see either as can't miss impact players. So I would take the best C. IMO, the best C is Mahlotra.

I wish we had the luxury of taking the BPA regardless of position, but we need Cs desperately. If Maholtra is gone, then I would go with RHD. I wouldn't take just an average talent at C.

[a smell of green grass]

Thomas is now officially injury-prone, IMO. That changes my thoughts on Draft Strategy.

Round 1: (In order of importance)
1. If generational player available, take him regardless of role or need.
2. If Top 15 NHL 1C available, take him. 1C is too important of a position to accept bottom-15.
2. If potential NHL 1C available, take him. At worst, we solidify 2C. This would collide with Dvorsky, but so be it. We need young Centers.
3. If BIG SIZE NHL RHD (power play QB) available, take him.
4. If MEDIUM SIZE NHL RHD available, take him.
5. If Top 20 NHL LHD available, take him.
6. If NHL 2C available, take him.
7. Best Player Available, regardless of role.

Round 2:
We have no pick in Round 2 for the next 2 years. Highly disappointing-especially since it would be a high pick.
If we can get high Round 2 picks for Faulk and others...that would be great.

My current thought on who the Blues should pick in the TOP 5 based on this strategy:
Caleb Maholtra

So you pine everyday on here for a top 5 pick...and when we get one you want them to select a 170 pound center who is ranked 7-10 on most draft boards....Your trolling needs work.

Actually, it says "top 15 NHL 1C" which means (to me) Robert Thomas. So if there is a 1C with a floor of RT, you take him.

Sure. But scouting is about determining which players fit that criteria. It’s very easy to say we’re going to draft a top 15 nhl center. Are you that confident Caleb Malhotra will become a top 15 center that you draft him over the 6 or so guys ahead of him in the rankings? I’m not.

uh, "projected..." better?

Better. ASOGG-predicted. I'm the liar that is never wrong.