NHL Network ranks Blues Prospect Pool as 4th best

[danno]

Dude we get it. Give it a rest

[SRV1990]

This comes as little surprise to all but one or two idiots. Excellent scouting and evaluation are required to develop a prospect pool at this level when drafting where the Blues typically draft. LGB!!

[BalotelliMassive]

And I almost forgot the most important thing...

[TheJackBurton]

For the Blues, drafting in the middle for the past 3-4 years, to be within spitting distance of the bottom-dwellers in terms of draft quality is rather amazing(ly excellent performance).

On another tangent, these folks rating Blues 6th in the Central are clearly out to lunch. THG has it about exactly right - they'll be 3-5, almost certainly a lock for the Play-Offs. It's a very solid roster, the latter half of last season was the proof of the pudding, whether people chose to notice or otherwise.

Someone made an excellent point - all the moaning about losing Bolduc misses the fact that w/ Snuggs coming into the league and immediately establishing himself as a top-6 winger, we acquire a promising RHD with little actual impact to the roster. It is another aspect of what comes from drafting/developing quality prospects - they can man your roster, they can be traded for same.

On top, w/ the addition of Suter, the 2/3C situation just got a lot stronger. These were not earth-shaking, hugely costing acquisitions, they were tuck-pointing for an already solid wall. If our PP & PK units just come up to NHL snuff, this team should easily crack 100 points.

Spot on. The Blues scouting is really excelling is at finding good players who fit their mold for growth and work ethic. It is great to see all these players who will be maturing to this roster in the next 2+ years. With Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko they have a great core to lead them for the next 5+. Really exciting time to watch this team.

There's something to be said about that... Doug has a bit of a rep in scouting circles in that he can go off script a bit to find that player with what they call the "Blue" factor. The modern poster child for that shtick is Jake Neighbours.

Post-draft 2020 a lot of pundits gave the Blues some grief over that pick, as kids like Perreault, Brisson, Greig, etc.. were still on the board. But people in the hockey world took one look and said "that kid has the making to be a Blue"... nuff said.

I hope Steener keeps that determination of having an identity for his team, and continues to draft in that mold.

I look it like the Pittsburgh Steelers. They continually draft players that aren't always the best or the most talented or predicted to be drafted in that slot, and yet they continually produce top notch players. Why? Because they have a very specific formula for the exact type of player that they want, and what they know they can develop and turn that player into.

Wouldn't every team love to have a Mac or McDavid or Crosby? Of course, but the odds of getting them are slim, so the next best thing is identify what you want your team to be, hire coaches who can teach and develop that system, draft players who excel at that system, and trade for the elite players to fill in the gaps.

Doug has been doing that quite well for quite a while now. He got away from it for a season or two because it looked like that's the way the league was going, but the Panthers put us right back on that path and I'm quite happy about it.

[a smell of green grass]

For the Blues, drafting in the middle for the past 3-4 years, to be within spitting distance of the bottom-dwellers in terms of draft quality is rather amazing(ly excellent performance).

On another tangent, these folks rating Blues 6th in the Central are clearly out to lunch. THG has it about exactly right - they'll be 3-5, almost certainly a lock for the Play-Offs. It's a very solid roster, the latter half of last season was the proof of the pudding, whether people chose to notice or otherwise.

Someone made an excellent point - all the moaning about losing Bolduc misses the fact that w/ Snuggs coming into the league and immediately establishing himself as a top-6 winger, we acquire a promising RHD with little actual impact to the roster. It is another aspect of what comes from drafting/developing quality prospects - they can man your roster, they can be traded for same.

On top, w/ the addition of Suter, the 2/3C situation just got a lot stronger. These were not earth-shaking, hugely costing acquisitions, they were tuck-pointing for an already solid wall. If our PP & PK units just come up to NHL snuff, this team should easily crack 100 points.

Spot on. The Blues scouting is really excelling is at finding good players who fit their mold for growth and work ethic. It is great to see all these players who will be maturing to this roster in the next 2+ years. With Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko they have a great core to lead them for the next 5+. Really exciting time to watch this team.

There's something to be said about that... Doug has a bit of a rep in scouting circles in that he can go off script a bit to find that player with what they call the "Blue" factor. The modern poster child for that shtick is Jake Neighbours.

Post-draft 2020 a lot of pundits gave the Blues some grief over that pick, as kids like Perreault, Brisson, Greig, etc.. were still on the board. But people in the hockey world took one look and said "that kid has the making to be a Blue"... nuff said.

I hope Steener keeps that determination of having an identity for his team, and continues to draft in that mold.

I look it like the Pittsburgh Steelers. They continually draft players that aren't always the best or the most talented or predicted to be drafted in that slot, and yet they continually produce top notch players. Why? Because they have a very specific formula for the exact type of player that they want, and what they know they can develop and turn that player into.

Wouldn't every team love to have a Mac or McDavid or Crosby? Of course, but the odds of getting them are slim, so the next best thing is identify what you want your team to be, hire coaches who can teach and develop that system, draft players who excel at that system, and trade for the elite players to fill in the gaps.

Doug has been doing that quite well for quite a while now. He got away from it for a season or two because it looked like that's the way the league was going, but the Panthers put us right back on that path and I'm quite happy about it.

The Panthers have five TOP 5 picks on their roster, two that they selected themselves. The Blues have 1 old one, selected by the Flyers (Schenn).

I'm glad to hear that you think that the Blues should follow that path. I'm glad that we think alike.

[callitwhatyouwant]

For the Blues, drafting in the middle for the past 3-4 years, to be within spitting distance of the bottom-dwellers in terms of draft quality is rather amazing(ly excellent performance).

On another tangent, these folks rating Blues 6th in the Central are clearly out to lunch. THG has it about exactly right - they'll be 3-5, almost certainly a lock for the Play-Offs. It's a very solid roster, the latter half of last season was the proof of the pudding, whether people chose to notice or otherwise.

Someone made an excellent point - all the moaning about losing Bolduc misses the fact that w/ Snuggs coming into the league and immediately establishing himself as a top-6 winger, we acquire a promising RHD with little actual impact to the roster. It is another aspect of what comes from drafting/developing quality prospects - they can man your roster, they can be traded for same.

On top, w/ the addition of Suter, the 2/3C situation just got a lot stronger. These were not earth-shaking, hugely costing acquisitions, they were tuck-pointing for an already solid wall. If our PP & PK units just come up to NHL snuff, this team should easily crack 100 points.

Spot on. The Blues scouting is really excelling is at finding good players who fit their mold for growth and work ethic. It is great to see all these players who will be maturing to this roster in the next 2+ years. With Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko they have a great core to lead them for the next 5+. Really exciting time to watch this team.

There's something to be said about that... Doug has a bit of a rep in scouting circles in that he can go off script a bit to find that player with what they call the "Blue" factor. The modern poster child for that shtick is Jake Neighbours.

Post-draft 2020 a lot of pundits gave the Blues some grief over that pick, as kids like Perreault, Brisson, Greig, etc.. were still on the board. But people in the hockey world took one look and said "that kid has the making to be a Blue"... nuff said.

I hope Steener keeps that determination of having an identity for his team, and continues to draft in that mold.

I look it like the Pittsburgh Steelers. They continually draft players that aren't always the best or the most talented or predicted to be drafted in that slot, and yet they continually produce top notch players. Why? Because they have a very specific formula for the exact type of player that they want, and what they know they can develop and turn that player into.

Wouldn't every team love to have a Mac or McDavid or Crosby? Of course, but the odds of getting them are slim, so the next best thing is identify what you want your team to be, hire coaches who can teach and develop that system, draft players who excel at that system, and trade for the elite players to fill in the gaps.

Doug has been doing that quite well for quite a while now. He got away from it for a season or two because it looked like that's the way the league was going, but the Panthers put us right back on that path and I'm quite happy about it.

yea wasn't just the panthers. Vegas did it too. Speed and length causes problems. Don't have the be the most skilled but if you have those two you can play a system. I agree on what flipped for Doug. He saw the Avs coming on hard and tried to emulate. But the Avs game fizzled out a bit. I still see them as one of the more dangerous teams. But not the wagon I thought they were. The Blues for some reason punch them in the mouth pretty good.

[callitwhatyouwant]

You know what I was just thinking. I wonder what smelly goblin goo's obsession is with jerseys. Do you think IT wears IT's childhood jersey everyday like a person of needs? Maybe IT has a collection of jerseys like The Hockey Guy does. Is IT one of those people that is 50 years old and buys a 20 year olds Jersey to wear their last name around? That stuff always made me uncomfortable. Maybe IT just likes the material the sweaters are made of?

Lot's to think about IT's obsession. It reminded me of the Game of Thrones scene about smashing beatles. Why did the guy who was kicked by a horse as a child and had a disability have such an obsession with smashing the beatles.

[Bluesfan1978]

I think the drafting strategy will stay the same under Steen. I’m curious how Steen / Army develop and turn extra assets into upgrades over he next 2-3 years.

[2forDiving]

The longer it takes for a prospect to make an NHL squad, the LESS OF AN IMPACT they will bring.

Do we have anyone very close to a roster spot? Nope. Not a single one.

I'm glad that someone thinks we are as high as #4, but I don't believe it. I wish I had a count of the number of forwards who were drafted in 2023 or later, and who are already playing in the NHL. I'm sure that it would be sickening to see.

The prospect showcase is just one more test failed. I am thoroughly PO'd and disgusted.

You are coming around, congrats, Smelly! You are disgusted that the Hawks following your model finished 35 pts behind the Blues in the standings last year AND it took OT to get past the Blues’ middling prospects (your assessment), you should be disgusted.

[TheJackBurton]

For the Blues, drafting in the middle for the past 3-4 years, to be within spitting distance of the bottom-dwellers in terms of draft quality is rather amazing(ly excellent performance).

On another tangent, these folks rating Blues 6th in the Central are clearly out to lunch. THG has it about exactly right - they'll be 3-5, almost certainly a lock for the Play-Offs. It's a very solid roster, the latter half of last season was the proof of the pudding, whether people chose to notice or otherwise.

Someone made an excellent point - all the moaning about losing Bolduc misses the fact that w/ Snuggs coming into the league and immediately establishing himself as a top-6 winger, we acquire a promising RHD with little actual impact to the roster. It is another aspect of what comes from drafting/developing quality prospects - they can man your roster, they can be traded for same.

On top, w/ the addition of Suter, the 2/3C situation just got a lot stronger. These were not earth-shaking, hugely costing acquisitions, they were tuck-pointing for an already solid wall. If our PP & PK units just come up to NHL snuff, this team should easily crack 100 points.

Spot on. The Blues scouting is really excelling is at finding good players who fit their mold for growth and work ethic. It is great to see all these players who will be maturing to this roster in the next 2+ years. With Thomas, Kyrou, and Parayko they have a great core to lead them for the next 5+. Really exciting time to watch this team.

There's something to be said about that... Doug has a bit of a rep in scouting circles in that he can go off script a bit to find that player with what they call the "Blue" factor. The modern poster child for that shtick is Jake Neighbours.

Post-draft 2020 a lot of pundits gave the Blues some grief over that pick, as kids like Perreault, Brisson, Greig, etc.. were still on the board. But people in the hockey world took one look and said "that kid has the making to be a Blue"... nuff said.

I hope Steener keeps that determination of having an identity for his team, and continues to draft in that mold.

I look it like the Pittsburgh Steelers. They continually draft players that aren't always the best or the most talented or predicted to be drafted in that slot, and yet they continually produce top notch players. Why? Because they have a very specific formula for the exact type of player that they want, and what they know they can develop and turn that player into.

Wouldn't every team love to have a Mac or McDavid or Crosby? Of course, but the odds of getting them are slim, so the next best thing is identify what you want your team to be, hire coaches who can teach and develop that system, draft players who excel at that system, and trade for the elite players to fill in the gaps.

Doug has been doing that quite well for quite a while now. He got away from it for a season or two because it looked like that's the way the league was going, but the Panthers put us right back on that path and I'm quite happy about it.

The Panthers have five TOP 5 picks on their roster, two that they selected themselves. The Blues have 1 old one, selected by the Flyers (Schenn).

I'm glad to hear that you think that the Blues should follow that path. I'm glad that we think alike.

Yeah, their style of play is exactly what the Blues did in 19 and should continue to do.

A full team pressing style not dependent on one player.

A team that has depth and can score on every line. That's how you win, not with having the most superstars.

[SameOldBlues]

And I almost forgot the most important thing...

I chuckled…profusely.

[dhsux]

Guys this has gone on forever with this clown yet he continues to get the attention of some of our best posters.

He's not changing. Mind or message. It's not going to end no matter what you say.

I'll respect your own judgement It just bugs me he gets the play he gets here.

[Aesa]

Guys this has gone on forever with this clown yet he continues to get the attention of some of our best posters.

He's not changing. Mind or message. It's not going to end no matter what you say.

I'll respect your own judgement It just bugs me he gets the play he gets here.

True.

I think he is trying to replace bleedyboi as the biggest, most obnoxious troll on the boards.

[dhsux]

Guys this has gone on forever with this clown yet he continues to get the attention of some of our best posters.

He's not changing. Mind or message. It's not going to end no matter what you say.

I'll respect your own judgement It just bugs me he gets the play he gets here.

True.

I think he is trying to replace bleedyboi as the biggest, most obnoxious troll on the boards.

He's a very different troll. No where near the confrontational deliberate A-hole status of the other. It's a creative personality but substance wise it's a fat zero and one would think sheer boredom would do him in.

[JoshInFenton]

Anyways, back to the original post...

While we do have some quality depth and we have a few guys that are showing they'll be pros and good ones, i kinda value specific positions over others, Centers and RD's. While i understand it's difficult to get the highest quality of these drafting in the teens, i think there are probably 5-6 farm teams that i would rate in front of us as having some solid players in those positions and some solid prospects in positions similar to ours.

Wouldn't change my thoughts on our ability to draft or acquire young talent. If you wanted to rate the best scouting departments in the NHL, i think 3rd-4th best is probably right where we'd be. 6th-8th best in terms of our overall prospect pool. Just my opinion.

[theograce]

No where near the confrontational deliberate A-hole status of the other.

Swearing is not permitted here.