Gastrin on the board

[Harry S Deals]

https://x.com/M_Meyer3/status/2081919062792187924?s=20

[TruBlueFan_1970]

Hopefully in a few years this kid turns into something more than just a throw in as part of the Kyrou trade. Thanks for posting.

[Harry S Deals]

Hopefully in a few years this kid turns into something more than just a throw in as part of the Kyrou trade. Thanks for posting.

A little more:

https://hockeysverige.se/internationell ... cz7g2F8zn/

[skilles]

Hopefully in a few years this kid turns into something more than just a throw in as part of the Kyrou trade. Thanks for posting.

I never got the impression he was just A throw in. Promising young asset IMO.

[sneptsmoustache]

Hopefully in a few years this kid turns into something more than just a throw in as part of the Kyrou trade. Thanks for posting.

A little more:

https://hockeysverige.se/internationell ... cz7g2F8zn/

The comments on Gastrin from that article, translated to English:

#12 Milton Gästrin , Center (St. Louis Blues): Gästrin is a reliable two-way center who doesn't make too many mistakes with the puck. He scored Sweden's first goal today, which started with solid defensive play at the other end. I know his game isn't overly flashy. And he might be more of a third-string player in the NHL. But with many of Sweden's biggest prospects heading into the NHL full-time this season, Sweden could lean on Gästrin a lot this year. He contributed more depth to the squad a year ago, but I expect him to have a much bigger role with the added maturity and more pro hockey experience under his belt.

[TBone]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

[sneptsmoustache]

Posting another blurb from the Blue Notes Rising Substack...I hadn't read a whole lot on this kid, if he turns into a reliable middle-six center I think that's a big W for us.

The Blues’ return in the Jordan Kyrou trade included a high-upside prospect in Milton Gästrin, a 19-year-old Swedish forward acquired from the Washington Capitals along with Connor McMichael and the 16th overall pick. Gastrin, selected 37th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, projects as a reliable two-way center who could develop into a valuable middle-six contributor.

Born June 2, 2007, in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound left-shot forward has already logged meaningful professional experience. In his first full pro season with MoDo in Sweden’s second-tier league, HockeyAllsvenskan during 2025-26, he grabbing 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 39 games while ranking sixth in team scoring while averaging 14:38 each game. Among his peers, Gästrin led all under-18 skaters in the league in goals and the second-highest point producer. A late-season assignment to the AHL’s Hershey Bears gave him his first taste of North American hockey, where he appeared in only one game in the Calder Cup playoffs playing 8:38 in the game.

Looking under the hood from his 2025-26 campaign, there are quite a few encouraging signs for a teenager. He generated 2.7 shots per game (1.63 on goal) and a willingness to compete in puck battles, winning roughly 44% overall this past season. For a now 19-year-old, he was not a liability and certainly showed plenty of signs of life and reliability for MoDo Hockey as he will look to continue pushing his way forward in professional hockey.

[STL fan in MN]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

He’s been the C of the Swedish ‘07s for 2-3 years now. So yeah, he clearly has solid leadership qualities as well.

He’s absolutely more than a throw-in. And he’s a center through and through with an absolute dog on a bone work ethic/compete level. Decently skilled but he probably projects more as a 3C than a 2C but he projects to be a very good 3C that you want on your team, especially in the playoffs. I see him pretty close in caliber to Stenberg. Otto is just 2 years older so much closer to the NHL.

[skilles]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

He’s been the C of the Swedish ‘07s for 2-3 years now. So yeah, he clearly has solid leadership qualities as well.

He’s absolutely more than a throw-in. And he’s a center through and through with an absolute dog on a bone work ethic/compete level. Decently skilled but he probably projects more as a 3C than a 2C but he projects to be a very good 3C that you want on your team, especially in the playoffs. I see him pretty close in caliber to Stenberg. Otto is just 2 years older so much closer to the NHL.

That would be fantastic, I'll take a great 3c all day long.

[callitwhatyouwant]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

He’s been the C of the Swedish ‘07s for 2-3 years now. So yeah, he clearly has solid leadership qualities as well.

He’s absolutely more than a throw-in. And he’s a center through and through with an absolute dog on a bone work ethic/compete level. Decently skilled but he probably projects more as a 3C than a 2C but he projects to be a very good 3C that you want on your team, especially in the playoffs. I see him pretty close in caliber to Stenberg. Otto is just 2 years older so much closer to the NHL.

Some could say it's bias, but I don't see Steener taking sweeds on the team that he doesn't think will see it thru. We are pretty soon going to be the Swedish Blues Mafia. Which if it works could be a good thing as it could be a way to attract talent on the FA market wanting to play with their buddies.

[UMR-alum-05]

I loved what did to improve organizational center depth this offseason.

McTavish, Lawrence, Gastrin....turned a clear weakness into a potential strength.

[imyourhuckleberry]

I think there are very few, if any, actual throw-ins on trades. GMs at that level have so much information, we can't even imagine. If they get a guy as a "throw-in" they have a reason. May not be a good reason. May not work out. May go down in flames. May not be a reason that we ever notice. But there is always a reason.

[Bluesfan1978]

I loved what did to improve organizational center depth this offseason.

McTavish, Lawrence, Gastrin....turned a clear weakness into a potential strength.

I agree as well. I think McTavish will take the 2C and run with it. I think Dvorsky will continue to develop. I think Lawrence will be a future 2C or better but they don’t need to rush him. Give him 2 years at BU. Gaston has potential to be a 3C and I’m not counting Dean out either. A year down the road the Blues might have some valuable assets to upgrade another position.

[moose-and-squirrel]

I loved what did to improve organizational center depth this offseason.

McTavish, Lawrence, Gastrin....turned a clear weakness into a potential strength.

don't forget Dagenais

[noted]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

He’s been the C of the Swedish ‘07s for 2-3 years now. So yeah, he clearly has solid leadership qualities as well.

He’s absolutely more than a throw-in. And he’s a center through and through with an absolute dog on a bone work ethic/compete level. Decently skilled but he probably projects more as a 3C than a 2C but he projects to be a very good 3C that you want on your team, especially in the playoffs. I see him pretty close in caliber to Stenberg. Otto is just 2 years older so much closer to the NHL.

Some could say it's bias, but I don't see Steener taking sweeds on the team that he doesn't think will see it thru. We are pretty soon going to be the Swedish Blues Mafia. Which if it works could be a good thing as it could be a way to attract talent on the FA market wanting to play with their buddies.

Steen is going to take the best hockey players regardless of where they are from. They just went through an entire draft and didn't take 1 Swedish player.

[Frank Barone]

I like seeing that "C" on his uniform in that clip.

He’s been the C of the Swedish ‘07s for 2-3 years now. So yeah, he clearly has solid leadership qualities as well.

He’s absolutely more than a throw-in. And he’s a center through and through with an absolute dog on a bone work ethic/compete level. Decently skilled but he probably projects more as a 3C than a 2C but he projects to be a very good 3C that you want on your team, especially in the playoffs. I see him pretty close in caliber to Stenberg. Otto is just 2 years older so much closer to the NHL.

That would be fantastic, I'll take a great 3c all day long.

It sounds like he has the skills and mindset to break in as a 4C, if Thomas, McTavish and Dvorsky are all ahead of him and playing well. Nothing wrong with that.