Thoughts on Wyatt Cullen?

[tfriede2]

I’ve liked Cullen all year. Pretty clearly the NTDP’s best player. Was hoping to be able to steal him at 15 but his stock is rising now so wouldn’t be surprised if he goes higher. His offensive potential isn’t as high as some of the others but he already has a good defensive game and he has an excellent compete level. Some may call that “safe” but he’s got talent too. I’d be very happy with him at 15 and would be ok with him at 11.

The concern I have is I see a drop off after the 10 I like the most so of course the Blues draft 11th.. My hope is that a couple of the teams see it differently (which is probable) and one of those 10 is still there at 11 and the Blues see it the same way I do.

Who misses your top 10 tier? It seems that the big 2 (McKenna, Stenberg), 5 D (Reid, Carels, Verhoeff, Smits, Rudolph), top centers (Malhotra, Lawrence, Bjorck) are top 10, and then Belchetz misses out? Some have him in that same tier before a drop off - opinions obviously vary. I can see Gustafsson getting into the D grouping as well.

[Rollin' on the River]

Cullen would be the Blues perfect draft choice like 10 years ago. Steener is taking us in a different direction it seems.

For the better or worse in your eyes? Or just different and whether it’s better or worse is TBD?

I think he just has a different vision…just gonna have to wait and see how it plays out. So far so good…can’t argue with it just yet.

What have you seen that tells you Steen is taking us in a different direction?

Agreed. Especially with Army babysitting from across the the hall

[Pierre McGuire]

Steen has input since he’s been the future GM for a bit now, he’s gonna have his own vision. All GM’s put their stamp on their team and he will as well. I just see us going with a more of European style team. Just my opinion….

[DoneLurking]

Steen has input since he’s been the future GM for a bit now, he’s gonna have his own vision. All GM’s put their stamp on their team and he will as well. I just see us going with a more of European style team. Just my opinion….

He wasn’t a particularly European style of player though. Not sure why that would be the type of team he’d want to build. He also knows how to win in this league.

[Pierre McGuire]

Steen has input since he’s been the future GM for a bit now, he’s gonna have his own vision. All GM’s put their stamp on their team and he will as well. I just see us going with a more of European style team. Just my opinion….

He wasn’t a particularly European style of player though. Not sure why that would be the type of team he’d want to build. He also knows how to win in this league.

Correct..he was more North American style for sure but he’s still got strong ties to his heritage. Kind of looking forward to seeing what he can do honestly. Love Army but I’m ready for the change

[Rollin' on the River]

Steen has input since he’s been the future GM for a bit now, he’s gonna have his own vision. All GM’s put their stamp on their team and he will as well. I just see us going with a more of European style team. Just my opinion….

I feel this way too, and I don’t think that’s a good thing.

[STL fan in MN]

I’ve liked Cullen all year. Pretty clearly the NTDP’s best player. Was hoping to be able to steal him at 15 but his stock is rising now so wouldn’t be surprised if he goes higher. His offensive potential isn’t as high as some of the others but he already has a good defensive game and he has an excellent compete level. Some may call that “safe” but he’s got talent too. I’d be very happy with him at 15 and would be ok with him at 11.

The concern I have is I see a drop off after the 10 I like the most so of course the Blues draft 11th.. My hope is that a couple of the teams see it differently (which is probable) and one of those 10 is still there at 11 and the Blues see it the same way I do.

Who misses your top 10 tier? It seems that the big 2 (McKenna, Stenberg), 5 D (Reid, Carels, Verhoeff, Smits, Rudolph), top centers (Malhotra, Lawrence, Bjorck) are top 10, and then Belchetz misses out? Some have him in that same tier before a drop off - opinions obviously vary. I can see Gustafsson getting into the D grouping as well.

Yep, those are the 10. I’m intrigued by Belchetz’s size/skill combo but he always leaves me wanting more. Sort of like Anthony Mantha. I have him more in the 15-20 range. Gustafsson I have at 11 so he’s in the mix for sure.

[Bluesfan1978]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

[kimzey59]

Steen has input since he’s been the future GM for a bit now, he’s gonna have his own vision. All GM’s put their stamp on their team and he will as well. I just see us going with a more of European style team. Just my opinion….

He wasn’t a particularly European style of player though. Not sure why that would be the type of team he’d want to build. He also knows how to win in this league.

Correct..he was more North American style for sure but he’s still got strong ties to his heritage. Kind of looking forward to seeing what he can do honestly. Love Army but I’m ready for the change

He might pay homage to his heritage but that doesn't necessarily make him a "real" Swede.
Steen played a North American style, was raised primarily in Winnipeg where his father spent most of his career and has spent the last several years tutoring under a Canadian GM.
In all honesty, he's more Canadian than he is Swedish; despite his bloodline.

When it comes to player evaluations, I'd expect him to favor the NA style players over the European ones.

[SameOldBlues]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

That would be disappointing, in my average amateur opinion. Hopefully one of the better prospects slide to us.

[Bluesfan1978]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

That would be disappointing, in my average amateur opinion. Hopefully one of the better prospects slide to us.

He just seems to be their style of player. I have no idea what his actual upside is but in past years they made picks that I was underwhelmed at the time but they turned out pretty good.

[Rollin' on the River]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

I hope not. The Blues can do significantly better than Suvanto at 11

[hockey jedi]

It's not about his heritage or ethnicity. It's about the development programs. The Swedes are constantly developing top-end well-schooled talent.

[Francis Park Thug]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

I hope not. The Blues can do significantly better than Suvanto at 11

Well, who would you pick at 11 if the 10 above are gone?

[Rollin' on the River]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

I hope not. The Blues can do significantly better than Suvanto at 11

Well, who would you pick at 11 if the 10 above are gone?

Preferably Rudolph if he’s there, but I’d also take Klepov at 11 or 15.

He’s a play making winger that would compliment Dvorsky really well in a couple years

[Francis Park Thug]

I would't be shocked if Suvanto is a player the Blues end up with in the top 10-11 on their list

I hope not. The Blues can do significantly better than Suvanto at 11

Well, who would you pick at 11 if the 10 above are gone?

Preferably Rudolph if he’s there, but I’d also take Klepov at 11 or 1
He’s a play making winger that would compliment Dvorsky really well in a couple years