Équipe: 2020-21 Blues de St-Louis

Date de création initiale: 19 oct. 2020

Publié: 19 oct. 2020

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Blues under 25: overall, the Blues are in trouble when you see how thin the impact player list has gotten. The whole team is built for a few more playoff runs, but IMO there have been some missed opportunities to stack the system with more talent/upside, especially at the 2020 draft. Still, if Kyrou, Perunovich, Kostin, Neighbours, Alexandrov, and Mikkola can become full-time NHLers, that is solid drafting and development.

Skaters: (stylistic comp in parentheses, not a projection of the player value, just the player type as a current recognizable NHLer)

#1 Robert Thomas - top 6 center - already an elite NHL playmaker - with Steen and Bozak as his most frequent linemates last season, he was top-5 in the NHL in primary assist rate at 5v5. With better ice time and improved linemates in the top 6 he is going to put up big production totals, especially if he can establish himself on the PP. The best drafted forward for the Blues since 2010's Schwartz and Tarasenko haul. (Mat Barzal)

#2 Vince Dunn - no.3 / top 4 LHD - Another guy that could put up huge offensive numbers if the Blues would play him more. Top 10 in total 5v5 pts for d-men under age 23 over the last 2 seasons. Hopefully he is given more minutes asap although it worries me at times that he's going to break out in a different jersey. Even if the Blues find the cap room to sign him, I can't picture a team with Krug, Dunn, and Perunovich on the left side - too much of the same. Still, Blues shouldn't give up Dunn without getting a nice haul, his development has gone perfectly and he's entering a really promising prime. (Thomas Chabot)

#3 Jordan Kyrou -2nd line RW - Elite skater with the hands and IQ to make plays in the NHL, but his off-puck play doesn't fit the Blues' m.o. and he hasn't played with the confidence that I saw him play with in juniors and at the WJC, where he was unstoppable. I think he has outgrown the AHL so it's a make-or-break year for him. Tarasenko's absence will be a perfect time to give Kyrou the offensive minutes and see if he sticks as a top 6 scorer. (Rickard Rakell)

#4 Scott Perunovich - offensive LHD - Perunovich has dominated the NCAA with his passing in all 3 zones. It should translate well to the NHL and he should find his way onto a PP unit eventually. Should spend at least 20 or so games in the AHL but a call-up could come sooner than later. I think the organization considers him NHL ready. (Torey Krug)

#5 Klim Kostin - middle 6 W - Kostin has developed steadily in the AHL, but hasn't really turned heads when you consider the hype around him on draft day (he was the #1 european skater by CSS). He should see a call-up this season and I have a feeling he'll stick as long he plays his game - aggressive, in-your-face, power forward. (Alexander Radulov)

#6 Nikita Alexandrov - middle 6 C - I see some Schenn-like qualities in Alexandrov, although I doubt he'll be as reliable of a scorer. Somewhere between Barbashev and Schenn is my prediction. Useful 3C/2LW if he can continue his development. (Brayden Schenn)

#7 Sammy Blais - middle 6 W - if Blais could stay healthy, I think he would be a much bigger part of the team already. He has slick hands and he loves to hit, a nice combination to put on a scoring line. Should get a consistent role this season and might play himself into a protection spot before Seattle can nab him. (Tom Wilson)

#8 Jake Neighbours - middle 6 LW - good straight line winger with a pretty good release. If he can improve his lateral skating, it would really help his offensive game. His effort level makes him a high-floor guy but I don't see top-6 upside unless he is able to improve his off-the-puck play. (Chris Kunitz)

#9 Ivan Barbashev - bottom 6 C - Barbie hasn't reached his ceiling but has become a good defensive center and a reliable option on the 4th line. He might not have a role when his contract is up though. Unless he can establish himself as a key asset on one of the special teams, I think he is easily replaceable with the other forwards pushing for ice time. He needs to shoot more - has been in the bottom 50 NHLers in individual shots/60 at 5v5 (and he's not a Joe Thornton-level passer) (Jay Beagle)

#10 Dylan Peterson - big and fast, underrated skill, needs a few NCAA years to develop but I can see a nice 3C option if everything goes right. (Jordan Greenway)

#11 Niko Mikkola - Blues fans should remember Petteri Lindbohm - I get the feeling that Niko is more of the same, although he did look good during his call-up. If he gets a shot, he could run with it, but I'm a little pessimistic - I see him as an 8th D option / AHL tweener.
#12 Jacob De la Rose - defensive 4C and PK guy, had some chances to be more than a 13th F but I don't see it
#13 Tyler Tucker - he has a chance at seeing some NHL games someday - his OHL production has been great; for a 7th rd pick he's becoming a solid prospect.
#14 Hugh McGing - little guy with gumption, made huge improvements in NCAA and ended up as a huge piece for Western Mich. I hope he gets a call-up some day.
#15 Leo Loof - was once highly-touted, but I don't see enough tools in his game to make it to the NHL. I'm not an expert on Swedish prospects though, so maybe he has a chance.

Goalies:
#1 Joel Hofer - I have no idea how to evaluate goalies but he has done some good stuff and has good size...
#2 Vadim Zherenko - putting up great numbers in the VHL again, he could probably handle a tougher league but I like how his development is going
#3 Colten Ellis - Ellis, like Hofer and Zherenko, needs a few more years before we can really see their arrival. For now, all eyes are on Ville Husso in the NHL backup role.

I put the roster together in conjunction with the above rankings, for the most part, but with slightly different categories. And there is some projection assumed in these categories.

Thanks for reading! Blues fans I'd love to hear your thoughts on these guys. What do you think of the overall pool and who is your favorite guy to watch? For me, I'm keeping a close eye on Tanner Dickinson - sounds like he was a scrawny rookie and is coming back bulked up and could be a key player for Soo. Also excited to see Alexandrov in the AHL, I think he could really accelerate his NHL timeline with a good season.