I hope the Blues keep all 3 firsts

[the miracle]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

[netboy65]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

[BalotelliMassive]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

I agree - new coaches combined with more rookies being inserted into the lineup will bring growing pains - who is available right now that would instantly jump into the top six besides Jason Robertson? Trust the process - it's brought great results so far and the more lottery tickets you have in this league the better your chances of getting lucky.

[callitwhatyouwant]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

agreed, something some posters don't understand is that there has to be the right amount of opportunity. Talent depletion and your talent you have might be over taxxed and not learn to play the right way. Over saturation and you might not be given the opportunities necessary to develop. The "cream rises to the top" scenario isn't really applicable in today's sports world. You need investment and time to develop. If there's 12 guys for 4 spots, there's a better than 50 percent chance you are going to end up with a couple of the wrong guys.

There's also an issue of not being able to pay and keep your talent. You don't want too many cooks in the kitchen. Eventually you will have a negative rubberband effect where even if you hit on every single draft pick and made the right move on every single player, you can't afford to keep them. The Blues are QUICKLY entering this territory. We have said it over and over again. The issue with the Blues isn't their prospect depth. They have tons of it right now. It's the elite 1 or 2 guys like the Carbs and Jiricek. They need 1 more maybe 2 of those. And they need them now, not 3 years from now. Today our cap looks great. But lets say all the guys on the big league stick around.

Stenberg/Dvorsky/Neighbours/Hollywood/Snuggy/Finley Well theres 6 guys under the age of 24. Add in Carbs and well you get the picture. 7 of 12 roster spots and that's not talking about Pekarcic Stancl Peterson Kaskimaki Dean. 3 of those 5 are expected to make it. thats 10 guys. There really isn't space here soon. You still have Thomas Kyrou Torpedo who are going to be 27 28 27 starting next season respectively.

[the miracle]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

I could have worded better, let me state differently. I don't believe the Blues are going to be Stanley Cup contenders in the next 2 seasons. By year 3, they may be. And by then, the first round picks they're getting this year will be arriving on the NHL club if all goes well. I would like to see a smattering of rookies along for that ride to propel the team into the future.

[Bacchk29]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

I could have worded better, let me state differently. I don't believe the Blues are going to be Stanley Cup contenders in the next 2 seasons. By year 3, they may be. And by then, the first round picks they're getting this year will be arriving on the NHL club if all goes well. I would like to see a smattering of rookies along for that ride to propel the team into the future.

They may be able to contend if the right trades come along to bring impactful offensive pieces here. Only Snuggerud looks like that type of player possibly.

[STL fan in MN]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

I could have worded better, let me state differently. I don't believe the Blues are going to be Stanley Cup contenders in the next 2 seasons. By year 3, they may be. And by then, the first round picks they're getting this year will be arriving on the NHL club if all goes well. I would like to see a smattering of rookies along for that ride to propel the team into the future.

I see what you’re saying but teams eventually run out of roster spots and then lose guys for nothing or near nothing. We already have quite a few quality prospects on the way and now 3 more 1st rd picks. I’m absolutely not opposed to using all 3 of them but I also wouldn’t be opposed to using 1-2 of them to either acquire a quality player or move up to draft a prospect projected to be a higher quality player. IMO, the Blues should really be prioritizing quality over quantity.

[the miracle]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

I could have worded better, let me state differently. I don't believe the Blues are going to be Stanley Cup contenders in the next 2 seasons. By year 3, they may be. And by then, the first round picks they're getting this year will be arriving on the NHL club if all goes well. I would like to see a smattering of rookies along for that ride to propel the team into the future.

I see what you’re saying but teams eventually run out of roster spots and then lose guys for nothing or near nothing. We already have quite a few quality prospects on the way and now 3 more 1st rd picks. I’m absolutely not opposed to using all 3 of them but I also wouldn’t be opposed to using 1-2 of them to either acquire a quality player or move up to draft a prospect projected to be a higher quality player. IMO, the Blues should really be prioritizing quality over quantity.

Totally fair point, and I wouldn't be opposed to trading players (even the players the Blues pick this year) down the road. Maybe where I'm ultimately going is that I don't see the need for the Blues to push NOW. It doesn't sound like there are players in this draft that are bonafide generational talents that would warrant being aggressive to try and get (certainly, I defer to your expertise here).

If they aren't going to push NOW and there are no generational talents - then get bodies in here to provide flexibility down the road. As always, just one person's opinion.

[STL fan in MN]

This team is probably years away still - probably at least 2 before they could start making the playoffs and maybe a few more before they go on some deep runs. Some promising talent coming up, but with no real second or third line established yet, get as many players as you can into the mix to see what works. I just don't think a scenario of packaging them together to get a higher draft position or for an NHL ready player moves the mercury that much in the long term. The team is more than 1 player away.

They were two blown 4-0 leads and a third of their OT losses away from making playoffs this past year, so I disagree that they’re “years away”. You can’t keep all the picks/prospects, eventually you run out of room. Package some to upgrade.

I could have worded better, let me state differently. I don't believe the Blues are going to be Stanley Cup contenders in the next 2 seasons. By year 3, they may be. And by then, the first round picks they're getting this year will be arriving on the NHL club if all goes well. I would like to see a smattering of rookies along for that ride to propel the team into the future.

I see what you’re saying but teams eventually run out of roster spots and then lose guys for nothing or near nothing. We already have quite a few quality prospects on the way and now 3 more 1st rd picks. I’m absolutely not opposed to using all 3 of them but I also wouldn’t be opposed to using 1-2 of them to either acquire a quality player or move up to draft a prospect projected to be a higher quality player. IMO, the Blues should really be prioritizing quality over quantity.

Totally fair point, and I wouldn't be opposed to trading players (even the players the Blues pick this year) down the road. Maybe where I'm ultimately going is that I don't see the need for the Blues to push NOW. It doesn't sound like there are players in this draft that are bonafide generational talents that would warrant being aggressive to try and get (certainly, I defer to your expertise here).

If they aren't going to push NOW and there are no generational talents - then get bodies in here to provide flexibility down the road. As always, just one person's opinion.

That’s also a fair point. I’d say the longterm focus still needs to be quality over quantity but there’s no requirement that that focus has to be forced in regards to these 3 picks. It would all depend on what all trades are available that day in June and then what all trades might be available over the next 1-3 years. Nobody knows that but they absolutely need to prioritize trying to take advantage of a situation that’ll eventually arise and trade 2-3 good assets for 1 really good/possibly elite asset.

[dhsux]

That’s also a fair point. I’d say the longterm focus still needs to be quality over quantity but there’s no requirement that that focus has to be forced in regards to these 3 picks. It would all depend on what all trades are available that day in June and then what all trades might be available over the next 1-3 years. Nobody knows that but they absolutely need to prioritize trying to take advantage of a situation that’ll eventually arise and trade 2-3 good assets for 1 really good/possibly elite asset.

Yep DA is looking it over now or Steen will be later but either way the barn is going to be full and the horses will need to run.

It's actually a very good situation for near term, imo.

[LGB73]

Take 2 of the picks to move up or secure a C prospect that could be a 2C makes a lot of sense right now. I think C is a little more of a need than RD because we might turn out alright with Mailloux and Jiricek, but there is no one tracking behind Dvorsky.


But people keep listing all the prospects and there are a lot of guys on it who may never play a full season in the NHL let alone make a difference in the top 6/top 4. Dvorsky, Stenberg, Carbonneau line up to be the only prospects that realistically look like they have a shot at being on the 2nd line. And every single one of them might not make it to that level. It's a pessimistic vision for certain and probably not likely they all turn into 3rd liners or worse but I'd like a little more potential there in the pipeline.

[BleedingBleu]

There has yet to be a scenario where having young, cost controlled players in abundance is a bad thing. Even more so when your GM is taking the mantle from prior regimes that had long tenures, from Larry Pleau in the late 90’s to Doug Armstrong today and Alexander Steen in the future.

We’ve seen teams clamor for NHL ready prospects. We’ve seen the Blues draft and develop players all across the draft. Recently, they graduated 3 from the 2023 First Round into potential regulars at the ripe old ages of 20/21.

They’ve shown they can identify NHL Caliber First Round Talent whether it’s through their own drafting and developing (Neighbors, Bolduc, Snugs, Dvorsky) or from others (Broberg, Holloway, Mailloux). I say feed the machine unless someone has a too good to be true proposition that retains our mid-teens pick and elevates our top pick to snag someone they are targeting.

[MrPostman01]

I look at the Colorado pick as a premature second rounder, just to be optimistic about it.

[BalotelliMassive]

The St. Louis Blues could be a team to watch — and they might be the most scary scenario for Blackhawks fans praying Stenberg makes it to the fourth overall pick. St. Louis owns three picks in the first round this year: Nos. 11 (their own), 15 (from Detroit) and TBD (from Colorado).

It’s worth noting the Blues attempted a fire sale before the trade deadline this past season. One of the deals that was *this close* to happening would have sent veteran right-handed defenseman Colton Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres.

Parayko, who turns 33 on May 12, is under contract through 2030 with a $6.5M cap hit. Of course, Parayko would have to accept a trade to San Jose if something were to be consummated. Parayko reportedly invoked his no-trade clause to block the deal to Buffalo.

There’s an outside chance right-handed Daxon Rudolph could still be available at No. 11. Ryan Lin, also right-handed, could be in play at that spot (or No. 15). Left-handed defensemen Malte Gustafsson and Xavier Villeneuve or right-handed defenseman Juho Piiparinen could be available in the mid-teens as well.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhaw ... nhl-draft/

[Cahokanut]

If the team was serious about building a team. I'd agree.

But they are not. They are happier being "competitive" selling hope and keeping that "winning mentality" where everyone keeps their role, and the top dogs, keep their top dog status. Bonus is that locals will pay for it.

So we don't need more middle of the road prospects. We need the holes filled on this team so that those that invest their time and money in the team are put before those the players in who stand in the way of team success because they, 'wanna be a center.

With the riches are could move this summer(Kyrou, Binny, Otto, Jake, Couple of first)
We should be looking for our next number one center. 21-23yo with high offensive skill, who could play as second line center for a minute. Thomas as 2c is the way forward for this team.

[PPG]

Even if the Blues don't make any major moves this offseason, they should very easily at least be in the running for a playoff spot next season.
With all of the parity and only a handful of elite teams, the playoff races are wide open in Both conferences.

Now making the playoffs is one thing- Actually being a serious contender is a whole other issue. It may take 3-4 years for that to happen and they need to have some of their prospects at least meet expectations,if not exceed them in a couple of instances.