Athletic: Bjorck & Gustafsson

[Pierre McGuire]

I don’t think people realize how good a player Viggo Bjorck is. It’s not like small players haven’t been productive in the NHL.
I’m glad everybody is on the Rudolph train but I don’t see anyway he’s there at 11.

[Rollin' on the River]

You guys don't realize how lucky we have it here on Blues Talk. Not just one but two players generally considered to be in the top 15-20 of this draft class are never going to play in the NHL and only a poster here has figured it out.

These players have scouts, journalists, experts fooled, but not our Trollin. Pretty special.

You mean the same poster that hates the signings of Broberg and Holloway?
He thought the offer sheets were stupid…..that genius?

Yes, we truly are in the company of greatness

At least you guys are starting to recognize it without prompting. You’re learning. That’s great. Keep listening. Keep reading.

[Rollin' on the River]

That would be one of the best outcomes, IMO, though if Rudolph is there at 11, he’s the pick. Bjorck is going to be a stud.

I saw an article on Bjorck. They said he has incredible hockey intelligence and he's very creative. Picking where we are, I would be happy to have him. I think he will be a very good NHLer. We need centers.

It's the center part that's in doubt.
There's not a lot of 5'10" centers in the league and there are reasons for that. Bjorck could be one of those players that go against the mold(he's got the all-around game for the position and he seems to be strong enough even at his stature), but there's a lot of risk involved if you're counting on him to stick at center.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bjorck and I'd be happy to take him even if he does shift to wing(Bjorck's playmaking next to Dvorsky shot would be a heck of a combination). But I wouldn't count too heavily on him sticking at center. I'd still be looking to address the center position with our other picks. I don't know if I'd use the Detroit pick to do it, but I would absolutely be considering it with the Colorado pick.

I agree. I’ve been fairly adamant that the draft might shape up for us to select a specific positional need with either 11 or 15, depending how guys like Rudolph, Belchetz, & Lawrence fall around 11 and then Piiparinen & Hemming… maybe Ryan Lin?

I don’t like the idea of experimenting with a smaller RHD, preferring to take a bigger guy, but when I see a series with Caleb Makar & Quinn Hughes taking over, it’s hard to not think maybe Lin could be that?

WJC-##

• WJC-18 Ryan Lin - 6 Gm, 6 Points (1 G, 5 A), +7

• WJC-20 C. Makar - 7 Gm, 8 Points (3 G, 5 A), +5

• WJC-18 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 5 A), +6

• WJC-20 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A), +1

International

• YOG Cup Canada U16 Lin - 4 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 4 A) +6

• HG Cup Canada U18 Lin - 5 Gm, 5 Points (2 G, 3 A +9)

Brick Invitational

• Ryan Lin - 8 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A)

• Q Hughes - 5 Gm, 3 Points (2 G, 1 A)

Junior Hockey League

• WHL Age 16/17 Ryan Lin - 60 Gm, 53 Points (5 G, 48 A) +11

• WHL Age 17/18 Ryan Lin - 53 Gm, 57 Points (14 G, 43 A) -19

• AJHL Age 17 Makar - 54 Gm, 55 Points (10 G, 45 A) N/A

• AJHL Age 18 Makar - 54 Gm, 75 Points (24 G, 51 A) N/A

• USHL Age 17 Hughes - 34 Gm, 11 Points (4 G, 7 A) -12

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 57 Gm, 24 Points (7 G, 17 A) N/A

• USHL Age 18 Hughes - 26 Gm, 26 Points (4 G, 22 A) -1

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 65 Gm, 53 Points (10 G, 43 A) N/A

Post Season

• WHL Cup Age 17 Lin - 5 Gm, 2 Points (0 G, 2 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 17 Makar - 5 Gm, 7 Points (4 G, 3 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 18 Makar - 5 Gm, 6 Points (2 G, 4 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 17 Hughes - 3 Gm, 0 Points (0 G, 0 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 18 Hughes - 5 Gm, 4 Points (2 G, 2 A) N/A

Then the potential around late First Round w/Command, Cullen, Shilov, Chrenko, Hextall, Ruck, Ryder, and maybe a guy like Casey Mutryn feels like a solid group to bet on.

If Lin could do what Makar and Hughes do, he wouldn’t be talked about as a 15-20 pick.

[DawgDad]

I latched onto what I heard Army say about putting players in groups, that would seem to work well this year. There's seven guys who appear certain to be taken top-10, then things become more uncertain. It looks like the Blues could have a pool of at least eight guys they's take two of at 11 and 15, and either two of them are there or someone falls to them unexpectedly.

A key might be who will Nashville pick, but if the Blues value all the second pool guys relatively evenly it might not matter. Another factor might be Florida, will they pick at nine or are they open for business? NTCs shredded for a ticket to Miami?

[TBone]

I'm sure he can make plays, but I would be disappointed if our eventual Top 3 centers were Thomas, Dvo and Bjorck. It feels like more of getting pushed around in the playoffs.


AI Mode

viggo bjorck scouting report

Viggo Björck is a dynamic, high-IQ Swedish center widely projected as a top-10 pick for the 2026 NHL Draft. Known for his relentless motor and elite playmaking, he has drawn comparisons to NHL players like Zach Benson and Brayden Point for his ability to dominate the game despite an undersized 5-foot-10 frame.

Scouting Highlights

Elite Hockey Sense: Björck is often described as a "cerebral tactician" who reads plays several steps ahead of opponents. Scouts highlight his exceptional vision and ability to find passing lanes in seemingly hopeless situations.

Pace and Skill: He plays with high intensity and quickness, effectively using his "slick" puck control and deceptive release to create high-quality scoring chances. He is capable of playing at various speeds, challenging defenders with both straight-line speed and agile turnbacks.

Mature Two-Way Game: Unlike many young offensive prospects, Björck is a trusted 200-foot player who excels on the penalty kill and in defensive-zone detail. His coaches have trusted him with over 20 minutes of ice time per night in the professional Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Physicality & Grit: Despite his size, he does not shy away from "dirty areas" of the ice. He is noted for his strength on the puck and his willingness to win battles in the corners and in front of the net.

Areas for Improvement

Size: His 5-foot-10, 172-pound stature remains the primary concern for some scouts regarding his translation to the NHL.

Over-handling: Some reports mention a tendency to occasionally do too much with the puck or over-dangle rather than making a simpler play.
Top-End Speed: While very quick and agile, some scouts note he lacks elite "breakaway speed".

[BleedingBleu]

That would be one of the best outcomes, IMO, though if Rudolph is there at 11, he’s the pick. Bjorck is going to be a stud.

I saw an article on Bjorck. They said he has incredible hockey intelligence and he's very creative. Picking where we are, I would be happy to have him. I think he will be a very good NHLer. We need centers.

It's the center part that's in doubt.
There's not a lot of 5'10" centers in the league and there are reasons for that. Bjorck could be one of those players that go against the mold(he's got the all-around game for the position and he seems to be strong enough even at his stature), but there's a lot of risk involved if you're counting on him to stick at center.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bjorck and I'd be happy to take him even if he does shift to wing(Bjorck's playmaking next to Dvorsky shot would be a heck of a combination). But I wouldn't count too heavily on him sticking at center. I'd still be looking to address the center position with our other picks. I don't know if I'd use the Detroit pick to do it, but I would absolutely be considering it with the Colorado pick.

I agree. I’ve been fairly adamant that the draft might shape up for us to select a specific positional need with either 11 or 15, depending how guys like Rudolph, Belchetz, & Lawrence fall around 11 and then Piiparinen & Hemming… maybe Ryan Lin?

I don’t like the idea of experimenting with a smaller RHD, preferring to take a bigger guy, but when I see a series with Caleb Makar & Quinn Hughes taking over, it’s hard to not think maybe Lin could be that?

WJC-##

• WJC-18 Ryan Lin - 6 Gm, 6 Points (1 G, 5 A), +7

• WJC-20 C. Makar - 7 Gm, 8 Points (3 G, 5 A), +5

• WJC-18 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 5 A), +6

• WJC-20 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A), +1

International

• YOG Cup Canada U16 Lin - 4 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 4 A) +6

• HG Cup Canada U18 Lin - 5 Gm, 5 Points (2 G, 3 A +9)

Brick Invitational

• Ryan Lin - 8 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A)

• Q Hughes - 5 Gm, 3 Points (2 G, 1 A)

Junior Hockey League

• WHL Age 16/17 Ryan Lin - 60 Gm, 53 Points (5 G, 48 A) +11

• WHL Age 17/18 Ryan Lin - 53 Gm, 57 Points (14 G, 43 A) -19

• AJHL Age 17 Makar - 54 Gm, 55 Points (10 G, 45 A) N/A

• AJHL Age 18 Makar - 54 Gm, 75 Points (24 G, 51 A) N/A

• USHL Age 17 Hughes - 34 Gm, 11 Points (4 G, 7 A) -12

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 57 Gm, 24 Points (7 G, 17 A) N/A

• USHL Age 18 Hughes - 26 Gm, 26 Points (4 G, 22 A) -1

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 65 Gm, 53 Points (10 G, 43 A) N/A

Post Season

• WHL Cup Age 17 Lin - 5 Gm, 2 Points (0 G, 2 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 17 Makar - 5 Gm, 7 Points (4 G, 3 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 18 Makar - 5 Gm, 6 Points (2 G, 4 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 17 Hughes - 3 Gm, 0 Points (0 G, 0 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 18 Hughes - 5 Gm, 4 Points (2 G, 2 A) N/A

Then the potential around late First Round w/Command, Cullen, Shilov, Chrenko, Hextall, Ruck, Ryder, and maybe a guy like Casey Mutryn feels like a solid group to bet on.

If Lin could do what Makar and Hughes do, he wouldn’t be talked about as a 15-20 pick.

Nobody knows where they’ll go. The draft hasn’t happened yet. However, considering how good Hughes (#7 in 2018) & Makar (#4 in 2017) have been been, there was purposeful selections that didn’t work out in front of them.



I’m not entirely sure you should care. You’ll hate whatever they do, anyway.

[BalotelliMassive]

Correct me if I'm wrong - but if the Blues lost one more game then they would be drafting second overall...

[Francis Park Thug]

You guys don't realize how lucky we have it here on Blues Talk. Not just one but two players generally considered to be in the top 15-20 of this draft class are never going to play in the NHL and only a poster here has figured it out.

These players have scouts, journalists, experts fooled, but not our Trollin. Pretty special.

You mean the same poster that hates the signings of Broberg and Holloway?
He thought the offer sheets were stupid…..that genius?

Yes, we truly are in the company of greatness

At least you guys are starting to recognize it without prompting. You’re learning. That’s great. Keep listening. Keep reading.

Yesterday you posted you wanted Klepov at 11 or 15.
But by most "experts," he is ranked in the 20's.
Remember, you didn't like the Snuggy or Dvo pick.
I guarentee this. Unless the Blues pick is Klepov, you will hate the pick.

[Walter Sobchak00]

Isn't Point and Guentzel right around Bjork's size.. they seem to do ok..

Clayton Keller
Suzuki
Hughes

To name a few others..

[Cahokanut]

Both of these guys are in my draft line. I keep going back in fourth on whether Bjork is going to be a redraft top three or the next no one.

I'd almost rather move our top pick and try to keep the lower ones.
I don't see that much difference in player skill from our first, first. Till our last first. All will takes years to get to the game and not everyone can peak in high school.

[Walter Sobchak00]

That would be one of the best outcomes, IMO, though if Rudolph is there at 11, he’s the pick. Bjorck is going to be a stud.

I saw an article on Bjorck. They said he has incredible hockey intelligence and he's very creative. Picking where we are, I would be happy to have him. I think he will be a very good NHLer. We need centers.

It's the center part that's in doubt.
There's not a lot of 5'10" centers in the league and there are reasons for that. Bjorck could be one of those players that go against the mold(he's got the all-around game for the position and he seems to be strong enough even at his stature), but there's a lot of risk involved if you're counting on him to stick at center.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bjorck and I'd be happy to take him even if he does shift to wing(Bjorck's playmaking next to Dvorsky shot would be a heck of a combination). But I wouldn't count too heavily on him sticking at center. I'd still be looking to address the center position with our other picks. I don't know if I'd use the Detroit pick to do it, but I would absolutely be considering it with the Colorado pick.

I agree. I’ve been fairly adamant that the draft might shape up for us to select a specific positional need with either 11 or 15, depending how guys like Rudolph, Belchetz, & Lawrence fall around 11 and then Piiparinen & Hemming… maybe Ryan Lin?

I don’t like the idea of experimenting with a smaller RHD, preferring to take a bigger guy, but when I see a series with Caleb Makar & Quinn Hughes taking over, it’s hard to not think maybe Lin could be that?

WJC-##

• WJC-18 Ryan Lin - 6 Gm, 6 Points (1 G, 5 A), +7

• WJC-20 C. Makar - 7 Gm, 8 Points (3 G, 5 A), +5

• WJC-18 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 5 A), +6

• WJC-20 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A), +1

International

• YOG Cup Canada U16 Lin - 4 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 4 A) +6

• HG Cup Canada U18 Lin - 5 Gm, 5 Points (2 G, 3 A +9)

Brick Invitational

• Ryan Lin - 8 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A)

• Q Hughes - 5 Gm, 3 Points (2 G, 1 A)

Junior Hockey League

• WHL Age 16/17 Ryan Lin - 60 Gm, 53 Points (5 G, 48 A) +11

• WHL Age 17/18 Ryan Lin - 53 Gm, 57 Points (14 G, 43 A) -19

• AJHL Age 17 Makar - 54 Gm, 55 Points (10 G, 45 A) N/A

• AJHL Age 18 Makar - 54 Gm, 75 Points (24 G, 51 A) N/A

• USHL Age 17 Hughes - 34 Gm, 11 Points (4 G, 7 A) -12

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 57 Gm, 24 Points (7 G, 17 A) N/A

• USHL Age 18 Hughes - 26 Gm, 26 Points (4 G, 22 A) -1

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 65 Gm, 53 Points (10 G, 43 A) N/A

Post Season

• WHL Cup Age 17 Lin - 5 Gm, 2 Points (0 G, 2 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 17 Makar - 5 Gm, 7 Points (4 G, 3 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 18 Makar - 5 Gm, 6 Points (2 G, 4 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 17 Hughes - 3 Gm, 0 Points (0 G, 0 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 18 Hughes - 5 Gm, 4 Points (2 G, 2 A) N/A

Then the potential around late First Round w/Command, Cullen, Shilov, Chrenko, Hextall, Ruck, Ryder, and maybe a guy like Casey Mutryn feels like a solid group to bet on.

If Lin could do what Makar and Hughes do, he wouldn’t be talked about as a 15-20 pick.

Lin is an inch shorter and 6 lbs less than Buium... weren't you in love with Buium and wanted the Blues to trade up for him?

[TBone]

Both of these guys are in my draft line. I keep going back in fourth on whether Bjork is going to be a redraft top three or the next no one.

I'd almost rather move our top pick and try to keep the lower ones.
I don't see that much difference in player skill from our first, first. Till our last first. All will takes years to get to the game and not everyone can peak in high school.

Agreed. There's a pretty solid Top 10, then you could throw the next 20 into a box and shake it out any way you want.

The value finally comes back around in the 20's.

[The Average Gatsby]

Bring on Viggo Bjorck. We need skill and scoring outside of the top line. I’m less enthused about Gustafsson but thats just because we have a glut of lhd in the system.

[Army's Mom]

Apologies to the OP. Didn't see this thread when I created mine.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/724184 ... roid-share

11. St. Louis Blues: Viggo Björck, C, Djurgården (SHL)
The Blues are ushering in new general manager Alexander Steen, who is Swedish, and reporters have already joked with him about the club adding several of his countrymen to the roster. But all kidding aside, the Blues wouldn’t have to justify taking Björck with the No. 11 pick. Yes, he’s on the smaller side (5-9, 177 pounds), but he’s a fast, competitive and intelligent playmaking center who can win faceoffs and help on both ends of special teams. The Blues need more high-end talent up the middle in their prospect pool, and colleague Scott Wheeler believes Björck is the second-best option behind Malhotra. — Jeremy Rutherford

15. St. Louis Blues: Malte Gustafsson, LHD, HV71 (SHL)
The hope was that Lin or Cullen would fall to No. 15 when the Blues made their second of three first-round picks. But Gustafsson — Steen will like this, another Swede — is still a solid pick. The 6-4, 200-pound blueliner moves well and plays physical, according to Wheeler, and can be a two-way D-man in the NHL. The Blues are loaded up with young blueliners in their system, with Logan Mailloux, Theo Lindstein and Adam Jiricek (all under 23) potentially in the top six next season. Mailloux brings some toughness on the right side, and Gustafsson could bring that on the left side in the future. — Rutherford

If it breaks like they have it - McKenna, Stenberg, Malhotra, Carels, Reid, Verhoeff, Rudolph, Smits, Belchetz, Lawrence - I would rather try to trade up for Rudolph or Belchetz, or pick Cullen (who goes 12).

[Rollin' on the River]

You guys don't realize how lucky we have it here on Blues Talk. Not just one but two players generally considered to be in the top 15-20 of this draft class are never going to play in the NHL and only a poster here has figured it out.

These players have scouts, journalists, experts fooled, but not our Trollin. Pretty special.

You mean the same poster that hates the signings of Broberg and Holloway?
He thought the offer sheets were stupid…..that genius?

Yes, we truly are in the company of greatness

At least you guys are starting to recognize it without prompting. You’re learning. That’s great. Keep listening. Keep reading.

Yesterday you posted you wanted Klepov at 11 or 15.
But by most "experts," he is ranked in the 20's.
Remember, you didn't like the Snuggy or Dvo pick.
I guarentee this. Unless the Blues pick is Klepov, you will hate the pick.

Not necessarily. And the only reason he’s ranked in the 20s is because he has one season of OHL production under his belt on a really bad team. There’s a few drafts that actually have him higher than that.

[Rollin' on the River]

That would be one of the best outcomes, IMO, though if Rudolph is there at 11, he’s the pick. Bjorck is going to be a stud.

I saw an article on Bjorck. They said he has incredible hockey intelligence and he's very creative. Picking where we are, I would be happy to have him. I think he will be a very good NHLer. We need centers.

It's the center part that's in doubt.
There's not a lot of 5'10" centers in the league and there are reasons for that. Bjorck could be one of those players that go against the mold(he's got the all-around game for the position and he seems to be strong enough even at his stature), but there's a lot of risk involved if you're counting on him to stick at center.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Bjorck and I'd be happy to take him even if he does shift to wing(Bjorck's playmaking next to Dvorsky shot would be a heck of a combination). But I wouldn't count too heavily on him sticking at center. I'd still be looking to address the center position with our other picks. I don't know if I'd use the Detroit pick to do it, but I would absolutely be considering it with the Colorado pick.

I agree. I’ve been fairly adamant that the draft might shape up for us to select a specific positional need with either 11 or 15, depending how guys like Rudolph, Belchetz, & Lawrence fall around 11 and then Piiparinen & Hemming… maybe Ryan Lin?

I don’t like the idea of experimenting with a smaller RHD, preferring to take a bigger guy, but when I see a series with Caleb Makar & Quinn Hughes taking over, it’s hard to not think maybe Lin could be that?

WJC-##

• WJC-18 Ryan Lin - 6 Gm, 6 Points (1 G, 5 A), +7

• WJC-20 C. Makar - 7 Gm, 8 Points (3 G, 5 A), +5

• WJC-18 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 5 A), +6

• WJC-20 Q Hughes - 7 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A), +1

International

• YOG Cup Canada U16 Lin - 4 Gm, 5 Points (1 G, 4 A) +6

• HG Cup Canada U18 Lin - 5 Gm, 5 Points (2 G, 3 A +9)

Brick Invitational

• Ryan Lin - 8 Gm, 3 Points (0 G, 3 A)

• Q Hughes - 5 Gm, 3 Points (2 G, 1 A)

Junior Hockey League

• WHL Age 16/17 Ryan Lin - 60 Gm, 53 Points (5 G, 48 A) +11

• WHL Age 17/18 Ryan Lin - 53 Gm, 57 Points (14 G, 43 A) -19

• AJHL Age 17 Makar - 54 Gm, 55 Points (10 G, 45 A) N/A

• AJHL Age 18 Makar - 54 Gm, 75 Points (24 G, 51 A) N/A

• USHL Age 17 Hughes - 34 Gm, 11 Points (4 G, 7 A) -12

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 57 Gm, 24 Points (7 G, 17 A) N/A

• USHL Age 18 Hughes - 26 Gm, 26 Points (4 G, 22 A) -1

• NTDP Age 17 Hughes - 65 Gm, 53 Points (10 G, 43 A) N/A

Post Season

• WHL Cup Age 17 Lin - 5 Gm, 2 Points (0 G, 2 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 17 Makar - 5 Gm, 7 Points (4 G, 3 A) N/A

• RBC Cup Age 18 Makar - 5 Gm, 6 Points (2 G, 4 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 17 Hughes - 3 Gm, 0 Points (0 G, 0 A) N/A

• OHL Cup Age 18 Hughes - 5 Gm, 4 Points (2 G, 2 A) N/A

Then the potential around late First Round w/Command, Cullen, Shilov, Chrenko, Hextall, Ruck, Ryder, and maybe a guy like Casey Mutryn feels like a solid group to bet on.

If Lin could do what Makar and Hughes do, he wouldn’t be talked about as a 15-20 pick.

Lin is an inch shorter and 6 lbs less than Buium... weren't you in love with Buium and wanted the Blues to trade up for him?

Yes. I still think that would’ve been a better pic than the one we made. Buium’s defensive game on draft day was far ahead of what Ryan Lin’s is right now.