Let's Go Blues

We’re a little over a week away… now that the Cup has been won/smashed the first order of business is considering what the Blues will do in the draft.

All things staying as they are right now I would argue a RD is a top priority, scoring depth and a goalie. I’ll put together my “sure to be zero right” mock draft right before the actual event. I would like the Blues to trade into a second 1st rounder or to get back into the second round. I’m sure this isn’t a popular opinion at all but I feel like Barbashev’s value peaked after last season and they could definitely get something, probably an extra pick much the same way they fleeced Pittsburgh when they traded for Sunny and the Kostin pick. I have some thoughts on what I think they should do if the cards fall right to address some organizational needs.

Thoughts?

I have the feeling there are a few Blues who may have "peaked" who would be worth trading now while they are high value. You mentioned Barbashev. I would (perhaps controversially) add Kyrou to that. He seems to me to be a lot like a Fabbri-type. Show some massive skill and speed, and then the goals just stop coming for whatever reason. I think Thomas should stay- he has too many intangibles. But Kyrou I would risk selling while his value is high.

What I’d like Army to do is draft Ivan Miroshnichenko which considering his diagnosis would be somewhat risky. If the opportunity presented itself to get him late in the 1st or early in the 2nd I’d move Barbashev to make that happen. Realistically how many teams are salivating on themselves to draft a Russian with hodgins lymphoma? Take a RD with their own pick then trade a body for a pick to take a flyer on the kid. He could turn into a steal or not but Barbashev is expendable considering he probably won’t match his numbers from this past season.

Tomorrow (and Friday) are the big days!

I've read a lot of different things about Army's thinking going into the draft, ultimately I think he'll probably trade down from 23 where Arizona seems like a good trade partner. They're swimming in picks and if someone they want is sitting at 23 they have the 27, 32, 34, 36, 43 and 45 afterwards. Could be the best case to get Chychrun and maybe squeeze a couple of 2nd rounders if the Coyotes really have their eyes on someone at the Blues spot.

Assuming no wheeling and dealing, Blues have 23, 88, 120, 152 & 184 so here's my annual "sure to be wrong on all fronts" mock.

#23 - RD Tristan Luneau; Blues should go with a D but of course they'll end up going with another forward. Still, Luneau would be my pick here. As an aside, I was hoping they'd get back into the 2nd round if Ivan Miroschnichenko happened to still be available and take a chance on a kid who's going to drop like a lead zeppelin A) because of his Hodgkins diagnosis and now B) because he's Russian but I don't think I want the Blues drafting anyone from Russia right now regardless of how good they are or can be. An aforementioned trade with the Coyotes to move back and get a couple of picks would open up the possibility of still getting a good D prospect and Miroschnichenko.

#88 - RW Gavin Hayes; scouting report says he's a strong forechecker who's not afraid to get in front of the net

#120 - LW Maxim Barbashev, yeah I know I said no Russians but everything about his profile looks good for the draft slot except that he's apparently inconsistent but that'll come in time with higher level coaching. Maybe he can ultimately replace brother Ivan.

#152 - G Mason Beaupit, depending on what happens with Husso who I assume is gone, and the shuffling that will ensue between the NHL, AHL, ECHL and Euro it's probably a good idea to draft another goalie but not necessarily an urgency. Beaupit seems promising but a guy who will need a lot of time to round into form.

#184 - LD Martins Kruklitis, towering Latvian. Couldn't find a lot but we're talking about the ass end of the draft at this point so anyone would be a project but he is 6'6" 194 and I assume he'll fill in and maybe grow a little more too. If there's some game there, he could be a late round find.

Armstrong on 1st round pick

Going with BPA. Doesn't expect to move up, but has plans to move down if their planned #23 pick is taken earlier.

I have a sneaking suspicion before tonight's over Tarasenko is probably not a Blue anymore. I don't know where, I don't know for whom... rumors are swirling about him and Krug going to Calgary, Calgary denies they're shopping Tkachuk but why wouldn't they deny it? I've seen Tarasenko to NJ which I think would be a great fit for him if he does get dealt, and that could send the #2 back to the Blues.

Just the whole rekindling of the rumors and the fact that no one explicitly stated that he had rescinded his trade request including, and most importantly, Vlad himself. His trade value is obviously way higher than it was last summer, there must be a boatload of interest and I'd imagine a sense by Army that he'll never re-sign next offseason as a FA so get something now instead of nothing later.

I know he's on the other wing but if Tarasenko got dealt and Tkachuk didn't come back in the deal but Calgary was intent on keeping him it would be difficult to retain both he and Gaudreau, would that put the Blues in play for the latter? I'd happily essentially swap Tarasenko and the 23 to NJ for Gaudreau as a FA and the 2 from NJ and so would probably everyone else.

Shane Wright not picked 1st or 2nd?? Whhaattt???

Or 3rd. Seattle is batshit crazy if they don't take him at 4. This is a gift to that organization.

Wright + Beniers, Seattle will be a lot better than last season for sure.

Bichsel was my choice if they were going to go LD. Luneau is still available for RD, let's see where this goes. Just a few more picks to go.

Jimmy Snuggerud, well ok. Skip out on RHD again.

Edit: After digesting this pick for a little bit, looking at the scouting reports, reading all the various social media... I don't like the pick one bit. I don't care if he has a cannon for a shot, it sounds like he's slow and projects as a middle six winger. BFD. The right pick was a defenseman and the right pick wasn't made. Not only was the right pick not made, the exact wrong pick was made. Would have been better off trading the pick.

While his skating has really improved over the last year, there is still a bit more work to do. Some work with a good skating coach will be necessary over the next couple of years. Playing a lighter schedule in the NCAA should give him the opportunity to work on those aspects of his game. If Snuggerud continues to develop this aspect of his game, the team that drafts him could have a steal. However, there is some risk too. If his skating does not continue to improve his NHL impact might be limited.

This was really the best player available?

Great pick by Arizona. I would have traded down to get Lamoureux too.

All signs point to Lamoureux's parents being happy with the pick too... it's a family show, folks!

Snuggerud was a bottom six forward for the USNDT the whole time. Agreed. Looks like a suspect pick for someone who would be available considerably later.

Bystedt looks like a better pick.

Add another pick into the fold... #73 from Detroit in exchange for Ville Husso.

Reading the socials on this one indicate that a lot of fans are total morons. Some fans are calling it a L, begging to know why Army did it, why he got so little for Husso, someone calling Yzerman a genius... In under a week Husso is gone for nothing. Army got a free draft pick for a player he was obviously going to lose. Detroit gave up a pick for a player they could have signed anyway in under a week and there's still no guarantee he signs with them.

Now use the free pick on a position of need. D, please!

Well said.

#73 Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, projects as a bottom 6. Fantastic, another one.

The older I get, the younger these draftees look. This guy the Islanders just drafted, is he 12? Jesus.

glen a richter wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 08, 2022 9:52 am

#73 Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, projects as a bottom 6. Fantastic, another one.

From what I saw in World Championship play, bottom 6 seems like an underestimate. Essentially a point per game guy for his U18 team and maintained that this season when promoted full time to his U20 team. I remember this name from the U18 World Championship this season. He uses his size very effectively.

Can't direct link to eliteprospescts.com. but look him up there.

Either the Blues got Kaskimaki exactly where he was projected or he dropped to them.

https://thehockeywriters.com/aleksanter ... t-profile/