Interesting day for the Blues
They got a top goaltending prospect (Jake Allen) and an assortment of forwards, which was vital. St. Louis-bred Philip McRae will be an interesting case; his size, at center, will give him a chance.
If some of the forwards picked later develop well, that will take some of the pressure off McRae — who went much higher than other teams would have taken him.
Lehtera, another big center, will need time. As noted elsewhere on this blog, his skating needs work. But, again, his ranginess will give him a chance.
The same goes for Livingston, a potential power forward. Winger Ian Schultz, the third pick in the third round, is a tough guy. Check him out in action over at hockyfights.com.
In the fourth round, the Blues added pint-sized defenseman David Warsofsky 95th overall. The Boston University-bound prospect could develop into a Brian Rafalski-type player in the New NHL.
These guys are long-range projects, of course, but each one brings appealing elements to the organizational depth chart. All in all, Blues fans should feel very good about this weekend’s work by John Davidson and Co.
(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
Loading ...
Gordo,
Is Larry Pleau still making personel decisions and in charge of the draft?
I’m confused because:
- Were gonna pay $3M for backup goalie, who struggled last season, despite a plethra of cheaper alternatives coming up in UFA and looming contract buyouts. Does Larry really think Mason is “the guy” who can win big playoff games 2-3 years down the road? I know we neeed insurance for Manny but it seemed to be a panick move and once again the Blues fill one need but now create another in the PK and we take a cap hit. This is all consistent with Pleau’s, dare I say, less the creative past we all know of.
- Next, by taking on Mason’s contract we help a division rival lower there cap number which allowed them to resign Ellis…..who likely would of become a UFA. Nashville may not of been able to resign Ellis with the Mason contract on the books. I find it hard to believe there was much of a market Mason’s contract out there with all the options teams will have after July 1st. Add in the extra pick we gave up as well and you leave scratching your head.
- With RJ likely not to be resigned and Mayers being traded, to free up money for our overpaid backup goaltender, how is this team going to kill penalities this season. With Andy Murray’s dated and predictable attack that produces insomnia for fans and nets less two goals a game it doesn’t look good. It will be up for AM and the coaching staff to get kids to fill this role, ya know since Ray Bennett failed to adjust our predictable PP scheme in 82 games.
- Isn’t the “novelty” pick to reward former Blues Alumni for there support and create some buzz among longtime season ticket holders reserved for the later rounds….like the 7th, not the 2nd round? Don’t we have enough slow skating forward in Peoria? Are we not trying to improve the skill level depth in the organization? Aren’t impact players more likely to be found in the early rounds? I’m sure the folks in Peoria will look forward to seeing Phil McRae’s bobblehead night and eventually his AHL jersey being retired someday.
Sorry to be a negative nancy but this offseasons move smell of seasons/disasters past from a guy I am shocked in still in the organization.
GO BLUES!!