Was drafting center Philip McRae 33rd overall a reach? Yes. TSN didn’t have him in its top 60. Central Scouting ranked him 56th among North American skaters. The International Scouting Service had him 73rd overall.

The Blues passed on a great deal of skill and speed to take him. But the son of Basil McRae grew up in St. Louis and figures to be a popular prospect. The Blues somehow overlooked St. Louis-bred Peter Stastny in his draft year, so the organization didn’t want to be humiliated again.

McRae will add size (he will fill out his 6-foot-2 frame), but he plays a different style than his father.

Here was McKeen’s assessment: “Not fast, nor physical, McRae just skates along the wing not doing much - barely noticeable . . . attempts at physical work are not suited for what looks like a skilled winger . . .  skating keeps him from getting to open spots .. questionable decision-making, as he just shot the puck out of his own zone to avoid being hit, instead of placing a pass to a nearby outlet . . . can try to do too much on his own with the puck and does not pass it very much . . . gained the zone on the powerplay and skated the puck into the corner - could use his teammates better . . . he did the same thing in the second period (a constant this game), doing too much on his own . . . let his man get a stride ahead and then tried to stickcheck/hook the Majors forward on the first goal-against London . . .  can be a little too predictable with the puck, making defenders play him closely, knowing his arsenal does not include much passing . . . can seemingly frustrate teammates that attempt to get into open spots or get to the net, with what becomes a wasted effort on their part.”

Basil noted that Philip’s strong play for the U.S. developmental program helped boost his stock among other scouts. So a St. Louis kid will get a chance to play in St. Louis.

 ”It’s exciting to be drafted by the city your grew up in and played in,” Philip said.

“Obviously its a big thrill,” Basil said. 

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