I was watching Moncton play Brioche-Brimboide to watch Pekarcik and Desnoyers sometime in early March I think, Carbonneau jumped in front of an attempted defensive clear, knocked it down with his body to himself, took it off the wall straight at the goal and fired a wicked wrist shot over the goalie. When I saw this, believe me I was not in "hey we need a RW" land. I was looking at centers and defensemen mostly. And the Blues were tracking for a top 10 pick where you can get a highly skilled center. But it was too intriguing not to deep dive and after that exercise I was totally sold.
Then the Blues were winning in March and worsening their draft ranking, then they shot past where he was going to be available. I could not imagine with that many French Canadian eyes on him that he would get past Montreal at 16 AND 17. There's no French Canadian kid as skilled as Carbonneau who is slipping past that team with two picks there. Would I rather have Noah Dobson? Yes. But this is a very sweet consolation prize.
seattleblue wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 11:28 am
I was watching Moncton play Brioche-Brimboide to watch Pekarcik and Desnoyers sometime in early March
The same evaluator loves Pekarcik too.
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Foley
@NHLFoley
Juraj Pekarcik was absolutely electric in the QMJHL this season. Even better than last year, which I didnt think was possible
Those defense numbers got boosted by super-center Caleb Desnoyers. But still get Pekarcik playing pro hockey yesterday
#stlblues prospect pool is loaded
He has a ton of exciting offensive aspect to his game and he's a 200' player. His games were fun to watch because he was active and doing lots of stuff. NHL defensemen are much stronger than the competition he was up against and I have cited his higher center of gravity in physical battles as a potential future concern. So this year in the AHL we are watching Stancl's skating and Pekarcik's physical resilience. He plays a physically inclined game he is just leveraged in hits by big strong players too easily.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 12:12 pm
I wonder if with Stenberg, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Pekarcik literally on the cusp if Army feels like he can again deal from his stockpile to get a Byram?
Pekarcik would be fine to me, but not those other top prospects and I will add in Lindstein to my off limits guys in a Byram trade. I thought Buff was looking for players rather than prospects though. Also fine with the obvious guys like Tex/Joseph/Sunny, but I don't want to see any of the "starters" moved.
With Fowler, Broberg, Tucker ... and Lindstein and Fischer as our LHD in the pipeline do we want to pay Byram a big contract?
Does it really matter where the Blues are slated to pick? Their draft track record is absolutely crazy good.
I had him no lower than 12th, and I'm pretty amazed he made it too us at #19. He has elite shot, skating and compete stats, and the fact that he's 6'1" at 205lbs kept him high on my list...
He just doesn't have any holes in his game for an 18 year old, and while some question his hockey IQ, I don't. The kid played on a team without a lot of talent, so his compete got the best of him in a lot of those situations. I'm hoping he goes to BC, and that should round that out a bit.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 12:12 pm
I wonder if with Stenberg, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Pekarcik literally on the cusp if Army feels like he can again deal from his stockpile to get a Byram?
Pekarcik would be fine to me, but not those other top prospects and I will add in Lindstein to my off limits guys in a Byram trade. I thought Buff was looking for players rather than prospects though. Also fine with the obvious guys like Tex/Joseph/Sunny, but I don't want to see any of the "starters" moved.
With Fowler, Broberg, Tucker ... and Lindstein and Fischer as our LHD in the pipeline do we want to pay Byram a big contract?
Buffalo is gonna have to take the best offer whether it what they want or not. The trick is figuring out how to be the best offer but not way more than the 2nd best offer.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 12:12 pm
I wonder if with Stenberg, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Pekarcik literally on the cusp if Army feels like he can again deal from his stockpile to get a Byram?
Pekarcik would be fine to me, but not those other top prospects and I will add in Lindstein to my off limits guys in a Byram trade. I thought Buff was looking for players rather than prospects though. Also fine with the obvious guys like Tex/Joseph/Sunny, but I don't want to see any of the "starters" moved.
With Fowler, Broberg, Tucker ... and Lindstein and Fischer as our LHD in the pipeline do we want to pay Byram a big contract?
Buffalo is gonna have to take the best offer whether it what they want or not. The trick is figuring out how to be the best offer but not way more than the 2nd best offer.
Right. But I'm not even sure I want the Blues to be the best offer at all. I'm probably too high on Lindstein and Fischer but in 2 years the $$$ difference between those guys and Byram might not justify this potential move at all. Fowler's age will create an opening by then though so ...
I guess I'm just not sold on Byram overall. Oh well what do I know?
The Blues appear to be loaded in the prospect pool hitting seemingly multiple picks over the last couple years. We all know about Dvorsky, but all I ever hear is Lindstein is the star of that draft and that he has real top 4 aspirations. Then Stenberg who is the can't miss guy. And then you add Pekarcik and apparently Peterson who are making noise. You really start to wonder where they all fit in. But you give it 1 more season and there are spots to be had with Sunny/Walker/Joseph/Texier. I really only see the Blues resign Sunny maybe Walker as depth pieces out of that group unless someone sets the world on fire. AND THEN you get all the way to Dean who some scouts were projecting to be the perfect 4th line guy last season before his injury.
How many franchises that just made the playoffs have 5 possibly 6 guys with the ability to crack the lineup, and then 7 or 8 when you add in Carbonneau and Jiricek 2 years from now. Fun time to be a Blues fan.
Does it really matter where the Blues are slated to pick? Their draft track record is absolutely crazy good.
I had him no lower than 12th, and I'm pretty amazed he made it too us at #19. He has elite shot, skating and compete stats, and the fact that he's 6'1" at 205lbs kept him high on my list...
He just doesn't have any holes in his game for an 18 year old, and while some question his hockey IQ, I don't. The kid played on a team without a lot of talent, so his compete got the best of him in a lot of those situations. I'm hoping he goes to BC, and that should round that out a bit.
You're right, Pete, for an 18 year old. Dude might be 18 physically, but is way mature for his age. Tim Taylor talking about just that...
"He's got leadership qualities in him. He's a bigger, thick kid. Obviously he's a late birthday too. He has one year of eligibility left in junior.
"Someone that has a presence to him. We see these kids come in, and they stand around, especially our first-round picks or first-year picks come in and they're kind of in the background, they're very quiet. This kid kind of took control of his class. He has this presence to him, confidence-presence. He does look like a natural leader."
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 12:12 pm
I wonder if with Stenberg, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Pekarcik literally on the cusp if Army feels like he can again deal from his stockpile to get a Byram?
Pekarcik would be fine to me, but not those other top prospects and I will add in Lindstein to my off limits guys in a Byram trade. I thought Buff was looking for players rather than prospects though. Also fine with the obvious guys like Tex/Joseph/Sunny, but I don't want to see any of the "starters" moved.
With Fowler, Broberg, Tucker ... and Lindstein and Fischer as our LHD in the pipeline do we want to pay Byram a big contract?
I'm with you. My priority would be signing Broberg and Holloway first before even thinking of adding another big contract unless you're absolutely sure you can get the Offer Sheet boys locked up. And Fowler seems like the type that would take a reasonable deal given his age and how close this team will be toward a championship in a couple of years. Love his calm veteran presence and experience and hopefully he can help Mailloux iron out his game.
Harry S Deals wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 12:12 pm
I wonder if with Stenberg, Carbonneau, Dvorsky, Pekarcik literally on the cusp if Army feels like he can again deal from his stockpile to get a Byram?
Pekarcik would be fine to me, but not those other top prospects and I will add in Lindstein to my off limits guys in a Byram trade. I thought Buff was looking for players rather than prospects though. Also fine with the obvious guys like Tex/Joseph/Sunny, but I don't want to see any of the "starters" moved.
With Fowler, Broberg, Tucker ... and Lindstein and Fischer as our LHD in the pipeline do we want to pay Byram a big contract?
Buffalo is gonna have to take the best offer whether it what they want or not. The trick is figuring out how to be the best offer but not way more than the 2nd best offer.
Right. But I'm not even sure I want the Blues to be the best offer at all. I'm probably too high on Lindstein and Fischer but in 2 years the $$$ difference between those guys and Byram might not justify this potential move at all. Fowler's age will create an opening by then though so ...
I guess I'm just not sold on Byram overall. Oh well what do I know?
I think one of his best qualities is being available. Hard for me to not have at least some level of interest in a big young top 4 d that can play both sides and is available.