The Blues will not be too far faraway from their Stanley Cup Championship, and with a number of key gamers nonetheless in place, they’re nonetheless a Cup contending crew.
Veterans Ryan O’Reilly, Braden Schenn, Torey Krug, and Vladimir Tarasenko paved the way. The Blues even have underneath 25-year-old gamers contributing with Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas and Klim Kostin.
Drafting and growing has helped present the Blues with roster gamers, however they’ve used draft capital to amass belongings to assist preserve them aggressive. And that invoice will come due because the Blues prospect pool is just not too deep.
One large query dealing with the Blues heading into the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs is the state of their goaltending. Stanley Cup successful Jordan Binnington has had some struggles this season to make certain, however there could also be some assistance on the best way coming down the pipe.
1. Scott Perunovich, D – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 23
Ht/Wt: 5-10/174
Drafted: 2018 spherical two, 45th total by St. Louis Blues
Perunovich is a extremely embellished prospect from the NCAA the place he captured two NCAA Championships and a Hobey Baker because the NCAA Prime Participant in his time period with Minnesota-Duluth to associate with his Bronze WJC Medal. The undersized defender lacks elite-level pace however makes up for it along with his distinctive imaginative and prescient and ability degree.
His professional debut was delayed a yr on account of harm costing him your complete 2020-21 season. Perunovich made his professional debut this yr within the AHL and after 12 video games he posted 20 factors. That earned him a recall to the Blues the place he scored six factors in 19 video games earlier than an harm knocked him out. He was reassigned to the AHL however after solely 5 video games he sustained one other harm that can require wrist surgical procedure.
Accidents have gotten a severe concern concerning Perunovich reaching his full potential. That being an offensive powerhouse and top-pairing minute munching participant. When speaking about high offensive defenseman prospects, Perunovich ought to be thought of in elite firm with the likes of Jamie Drysdale and Bowen Byram.
2. Jake Neighbours, LW – Edmonton Oil Kings, (WHL)
Age: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-0/196
Drafted: 2020 spherical one, 26th total by St. Louis Blues
After making the opening night time roster and taking part in in his first 9 NHL video games to begin the season with two factors, Neighbours was finally returned to the WHL with the Edmonton Oil Kings and named as crew Captain. The Oil Kings are going to chase a Championship and can be a Memorial Cup contender. Neighbours is expectantly having a terrific season with 41 factors by 26 video games and was named to Workforce Canada for the WJC.
Neighbours is a flexible participant that may play in a wide range of roles as he’s an offensive driver. He has a motor that drives his compete and regardless of being common dimension, he performs a really bodily recreation. Defensively he pursues pucks and isn’t shy to attempt to separate the person from the puck. Neighbours will do no matter he can to make an influence and assist his crew win. His skating wants some enchancment to develop into NHL common and he’s susceptible to some questionable puck administration choices, however his upside is a top-six NHL winger, and his ground remains to be an NHL winger.
Neighbours could have a protracted playoff season with the Oil Kings, adopted by the August rescheduled World Juniors earlier than he makes his full-time transfer to professional hockey within the 2022-23 season. Some AHL improvement time can be suggested, however his tenure within the AHL could also be brief.
3. Joel Hofer, G – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 21
Ht/Wt: 6-5/172
Drafted: 2018 spherical 4, 107th total by St. Louis Blues
The Blues fourth-round choice from 2018 had a breakout efficiency when he was named to Workforce Canada for the primary time in his profession for the 2020 WJC. Hofer was not the starter for the start of the event, however when Canada turned to him, he took the ball and ran all the best way to a 5-0 document and the Gold Medal.
Hofer started his professional profession in the course of the 2020-21 COVID season within the AHL with the Utica Comets in a break up affiliation situation with Vancouver Canucks prospects and sharing the purpose with 5 different goalies. It was a difficult state of affairs and restricted Hofer to only ten video games, probably the most begins of all of the goalies.
Now in a extra standard system in Springfield with a devoted affiliation to the Blues, Hofer is sharing the begins with Charlie Lindgren and getting good improvement with 29 video games performed to this point. With Ville Husso set to hit the unrestricted free agent market in the summertime, the door may rapidly open for Hofer to play his method onto a roster spot with the Blues because the backup.
4. Zachary Bolduc, C – Quebec Ramparts (QMJHL)
Age: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-1/176
Drafted: 2021 spherical one, 17th total by St. Louis Blues
The Blues 2021 first-round draft alternative suits the growth or bust label. Bolduc skates nicely, performs bodily and has good offensive expertise. He has fast arms and may deal with the puck to evade checkers and maneuver to open ice and open capturing or passing lanes.
His draft yr was diminished to 27 video games on account of COVID, however he posted 29 factors with Rimouski. His D+1 season finds him in Quebec the place he’s nicely over some extent per recreation and on tempo for a 91-point season.
So the place does the “bust” concern enter the equation? Bolduc will be susceptible to ill-advised passes and there may be some concern along with his decision-making. He has proven tendencies of lacking passing alternatives or making passes that result in turnovers. If Bolduc can work out a few of these errors and simplify his recreation, the ability ought to take over. Bolduc has one other season of junior eligibility remaining and can doubtless see a yr or two of improvement within the AHL when he turns professional. The wait could also be longer on this participant however the potential for a top-six NHL participant is there.
5. Nikita Alexandrov, C – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 21
Ht/Wt 6-1/176
Drafted: 2019 spherical two 62nd total by St. Louis Blues
The Russian ahead performed his minor hockey in Germany the place he was born. Drafted within the first spherical of the CHL Import Draft, Alexandrov was a high-scoring participant for the Charlottetown Islanders. With 61 factors in 64 video games in his draft season, the Blues chosen him within the second spherical.
His D+1 season noticed his level manufacturing exceed the purpose per recreation tempo and he was a standout for Russia on the 2020 WJC with eight factors in seven video games serving to Russia win the Silver Medal. Alexandrov started his professional profession on mortgage in Finland within the Liiga ready for video games to start in North America. He produced a good 9 factors in 28 video games with KooKoo earlier than returning to North America and taking part in in seven video games within the AHL with Utica and scoring 5 factors. The Blues now have a devoted AHL affiliate in Springfield and Alexandrov is on tempo for a 27-point season. His stat line is underwhelming however 21-years-old having a improvement and adjustment season within the AHL is just not too regarding.
Alexandrov lacks pace however compensates along with his hockey smarts and has a excessive ability degree as seen in his junior days. One other season or a part of a season subsequent yr could also be to ensure that Alexandrov to be comfy in professional hockey. If he makes the adjustment and finds his offensive recreation, he has middle-six offensive upside on the NHL degree.
6. Simon Robertson, RW – Skelleftea AIK (SHL)
Age: 19
Ht/Wt: 6-0/190
Drafted: 2021 spherical three 71st total by St. Louis Blues
The 19-year-old has been a prolific scorer on the J20 degree, however his offensive recreation has not materialized within the SHL but with solely 5 factors in 42 video games in his D+1 season. The SHL is just not a high-scoring league, or a developmental league, and youngsters seldom are given good offensive minutes. That is positively the case with Robertson this season.
Robertson has proven his offensive chops within the junior ranges, he’s an above-average skater with probably the greatest pictures in his draft class. His hockey consciousness or smarts are additionally above common and skating, shot and smarts are three very translatable expertise for fulfillment on the NHL degree. Broadly ranked as a first-round expertise, the Blues could have discovered nice worth with the 71st total choice. Robertson will play a number of extra years growing in Sweden earlier than reducing his tooth in North America within the AHL.
7. Tyler Tucker, D – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 22
Ht/Wt: 6-2/205
Drafted: 2018 spherical seven 200th total by St. Louis Blues
The Blues haven’t had lots of success with late-round draft picks, and so they don’t get a lot later than 200th total. Tucker had a breakout D+1 season within the OHL with Barrie posting 14 targets, 59 factors and 105 penalty minutes in 68 video games. That efficiency earned him an AHL cup of espresso to finish the season. Tucker had one other season of improvement in his ultimate OHL season break up between Barrie and Flint with 56 factors in 55 video games. Tucker made the soar to professional hockey final yr with Utica and whereas the offensive recreation was underwhelming with just one purpose and 7 factors in 27 video games, he performed a sound defensive and bodily recreation.
His shot is heavy, however he must let it go faster, and be extra selective when he shoots and hit extra internet and fewer shin pads. Tucker retains growing and is trending in the direction of getting some NHL appears to be like. His offensive recreation could by no means translate within the NHL, but it surely appears to be like just like the Blues have discovered a participant in Tucker.
8. Keean Washkurak, C – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 20
Ht/Wt 5-10/185
Drafted: 2019 spherical 5 one hundred and fifty fifth total by St. Louis Blues
One other late-round choose that has some NHL upside is Washkurak. At 5-10, he’s brief, however he’s a really aggressive participant, robust and feisty. Washkurak brings a ton of power, is a tenacious forechecker, fast and harmful offensively. Washkurak had his OHL profession restricted to 3 seasons with the Mississauga Steelheads the place he compiled 44 targets 114 factors and 152 penalty minutes in 176 profession video games.
With the OHL season canceled for his ultimate yr of eligibility, he discovered a house in Slovakia and was a drive with 19 factors in 21 video games and 110 penalty minutes. Washkurak is in his rookie season within the AHL and is on tempo for a 15-goal season.
It might take one other season or two for Washkurak to interrupt into the NHL, however the Blues could also be taking a look at a future bottom-six participant that’s an power participant with some offensive upside that may be a flexible participant.
9. Dylan Peterson, C – Boston College (NCAA)
Age: 20
Ht/Wt 6-4/192
Drafted: 2020 spherical three 86th total by St. Louis Blues
The massive pivot is a product of the US Nationwide Workforce Growth Program. His D+1 season within the NCAA with the Terriers was underwhelming with six factors in 16 video games. Peterson had some challenges adjusting to the pace of NCAA hockey however made strides in his sophomore season. His level totals jumped to 10 targets and 16 factors highlighted by the Beanpot Championship successful purpose and event MVP.
Peterson must play to his dimension and be extra of a bodily issue. His skating improvement must concentrate on his acceleration and first step. He has a very good high gear, however he lacks a pop or explosive first step. Offensively he has proven flashes however lacks the upside of a top-six ahead. Peterson will be an impactful participant as he’s a dependable penalty killer, blocks pictures, has good dimension and pace and has some offensive upside.
10. Hugh McGing, C – Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)
Age: 23
Ht/Wt: 5-9/174
Drafted: 2018 spherical 5 138th total by St. Louis Blues
McGing performed out his NCAA profession on the College of Western Michigan with 117 factors in 147 profession video games performed. The Blues managed to signal him to his ELC earlier than he turned an unrestricted free agent and final yr he performed his rookie professional season within the AHL with the Utica Comets. It was an adjustment season and he managed solely eight factors in 23 video games.
At 5-9 and 174 kilos, he appeared bodily overmatched at instances and wishes so as to add extra energy and bulk. Now in his sophomore season, he’s way more comfy, maybe as a result of he’s in Springfield and the crew is a devoted improvement system for the Blues.
McGing is on tempo for a 40 level season and is a related prospect with NHL upside. His ceiling won’t ever be in a top-six function, however along with his pace and tenacity, he might be an efficient bottom-six and penalty killer.
