Prospect Info: 2022 NHL Draft

[DatDude44]

At #23 we should not be drafting for need, we should solely selected based on pro potential. Regardless of position.

If you had let’s say #3 and your choosing between Nemec and Cooley….and u feel your organization needs a cornerstone RHD (for example Seattle) you’d take Nemec since they already have that future C in Beniers. And vice versa if your a team like philly. Because u assume those top top picks are cornerstone players so positional depth and future contracts could play into the decision a bit.

So for me at 23…… it’s an absolute mixed bag. I’ve just started scratching the surface on this years draft so forgive me for lack of expertise/ options but right now I’d love any of :
Marco Kasper, Jimmy Snuggerud(imo the real sleeper on NTDP) Connor Geekie, Pavel Mintyukov, Denton Mateychuk (all who I believe go before 23) or Ryan Chesley (boring but safe), Filip Mesar, David Goyette (Probly too high)

And if we move Perunovich in a chycrun deal per say, I’d love lane hutson. Take the long term development approach with that kid and we could reap some serious benefits 4-6 years from now and hello Krug replacement.

 

[execwrite1]

From The Hockey News

23. St. Louis Blues, Nathan Gaucher, C: Gaucher just feels like a Blues pick, perhaps because St. Louis has been such a great heavy, two-way team in recent years. Playing for Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts in the 'Q,' Gaucher is a physical, 200-foot player with great hands in traffic. His skating needs another gear, but there's time for him to pick that up as he continues to develop in major junior.

 

[TK 421]

There's so many players I like from mid 1st through the 2nd that I'm super salty not currently having a 2nd rd pick. Hopefully Barbashev brings a 2nd rounder back when he's traded.

 

[Beauterham]

And if we move Perunovich in a chycrun deal per say, I’d love lane hutson. Take the long term development approach with that kid and we could reap some serious benefits 4-6 years from now and hello Krug replacement.

Do you expect Hutson's game to translate to the NHL-level, even with his lack of size? It's already very hard to make the NHL when you're big, let alone if you're "5'8. He's actually smaller than both Krug and Perunovich. Personally I'd rather go with Chesley If we desire to draft a defenseman out of the USHL.

BTW, if we're talking about defensemen: I'd also like to add Elias Salomonsson to the list. One of the younger draft eligible players with an elite skillset but apparantly had kind of a downseason hence him dropping in the rankings. Could be a huge risk/reward player. He gives me a bit of a Bolduc-vibe: someone who was ranked very highly at first but dropped due to a subpar season. The Blues didn't shy away and drafted him anyway.

From The Hockey News

23. St. Louis Blues, Nathan Gaucher, C: Gaucher just feels like a Blues pick, perhaps because St. Louis has been such a great heavy, two-way team in recent years. Playing for Patrick Roy's Quebec Remparts in the 'Q,' Gaucher is a physical, 200-foot player with great hands in traffic. His skating needs another gear, but there's time for him to pick that up as he continues to develop in major junior.

Well, he plays for the same team as Zach Bolduc, so our scouts have definitely seen him play.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

There's so many players I like from mid 1st through the 2nd that I'm super salty not currently having a 2nd rd pick. Hopefully Barbashev brings a 2nd rounder back when he's traded.

Looking at picks i always as myself would i want this pick or the player we traded for. So for this one. Would you rather have the 2nd rounder or Buchnevich?

 

[TK 421]

Looking at picks i always as myself would i want this pick or the player we traded for. So for this one. Would you rather have the 2nd rounder or Buchnevich?

Wrong question, it's "Would you rather have Barbashev or a 2nd rd pick in 2022?" and I already answered that. Buchnevich and our own departed 2nd aren't really relevant to my post you quoted. I want a 2nd in 2022 and Barbashev could get that in trade.

 

[simon IC]

Do you expect Hutson's game to translate to the NHL-level, even with his lack of size? It's already very hard to make the NHL when you're big, let alone if you're "5'8. He's actually smaller than both Krug and Perunovich. Personally I'd rather go with Chesley If we desire to draft a defenseman out of the USHL.

BTW, if we're talking about defensemen: I'd also like to add Elias Salomonsson to the list. One of the younger draft eligible players with an elite skillset but apparantly had kind of a downseason hence him dropping in the rankings. Could be a huge risk/reward player. He gives me a bit of a Bolduc-vibe: someone who was ranked very highly at first but dropped due to a subpar season. The Blues didn't shy away and drafted him anyway.



Well, he plays for the same team as Zach Bolduc, so our scouts have definitely seen him play.

I am already ruling out Hutson. He's listed on The Hockey News as 148 lbs!!! I realize the poster who mentioned him did so in the context of Perunovich leaving, but even so, No. I would be very unhappy if Hutson was selected.

 

[Beauterham]

I am already ruling out Hutson. He's listed on The Hockey News as 148 lbs!!! I realize the poster who mentioned him did so in the context of Perunovich leaving, but even so, No. I would be very unhappy if Hutson was selected.

I wouldn't mind drafting him If he's still there in the 3rd round but not with pick 23. 148Lbs also means he probably hasn't grown into his frame yet. Adding a couple of pounds can make a huge difference (we've seen that with Bolduc during this season), never mind adding 30-ish pounds over the next few seasons. Tanner Dickinson was also at 145 lbs when we drafted him. IMO low weight shouldn't impact draft ranking a lot, however, lack of height does.

 

[DatDude44]

Do you expect Hutson's game to translate to the NHL-level, even with his lack of size? It's already very hard to make the NHL when you're big, let alone if you're "5'8. He's actually smaller than both Krug and Perunovich. Personally I'd rather go with Chesley If we desire to draft a defenseman out of the USHL.

BTW, if we're talking about defensemen: I'd also like to add Elias Salomonsson to the list. One of the younger draft eligible players with an elite skillset but apparantly had kind of a downseason hence him dropping in the rankings. Could be a huge risk/reward player. He gives me a bit of a Bolduc-vibe: someone who was ranked very highly at first but dropped due to a subpar season. The Blues didn't shy away and drafted him anyway.



Well, he plays for the same team as Zach Bolduc, so our scouts have definitely seen him play.

Yes I love Lane Hutson. I think with the correct development approach he could be fantastic.

He’s the same height as Perunovich I’m pretty sure but has all the elite traits for someone of his size to be successful, especially with a 2nd rd pick.

His elite escapabity and edgework, elite IQ, elite competetiveness. Incredible distributor of the puck and master at manipulating opposing fwds on retrievals, through transition and walking the line in zone.

Even if he’s sheltered at 5v5 say 3rd pair he could a be Dahlin level pp QB.

In my opinion he is a better Perunovich. So if use Scotty in a chycrun deal, I’d love us to fill his void with hutson…..and Hutson’s timeline of arrival goes well with when Krugs contract is up.

 

[DatDude44]

I wouldn't mind drafting him If he's still there in the 3rd round but not with pick 23. 148Lbs also means he probably hasn't grown into his frame yet. Adding a couple of pounds can make a huge difference (we've seen that with Bolduc during this season), never mind adding 30-ish pounds over the next few seasons. Tanner Dickinson was also at 145 lbs when we drafted him. IMO low weight shouldn't impact draft ranking a lot, however, lack of height does.

And no I wasn’t inferring using #23 on him. But I would use a 2nd on him all day long. 2nd rounders are always a gamble. It’s usually a physical freak that lacks the mental side of the game or a smart player without high end physical tools etc…. To some degree.

I’ll bet on the elite IQ & elite skating Defenceman whose undersized but makes up for it with his compete level and brain

 

[execwrite1]

No more itsy bitsy defensemen please

 

[sfvega]

Would love Bichsel or Chesley, but knowing the Blues are allergic to defensemen I'm expecting Snuggerud or Trikozov.

 

[ScratchCatFever]

I like McGroarty as well. Jimmy Snuggerud is another interesting name (not only a name, but as a player; he's a physical right winger with a very heavy shot.) He's rated somewhere late-first/early-second. Maybe if we get another first for Tarasenko or a high second for Barbashev, we could take a chance on him or McGroarty?

Is this the son of one Dave Snuggerud? One of the player cards in one the very first pack of Pro-Set hockey cards from the early 90's.

 

[Memento]

Is this the son of one Dave Snuggerud? One of the player cards in one the very first pack of Pro-Set hockey cards from the early 90's.

Yep, that would be the one.

 

[PocketNines]

Only player Blues ever drafted 23d.

All time points leaders players drafted 23rd.

 

[Beauterham]

Only player Blues ever drafted 23d.

All time points leaders players drafted 23rd.

I like Bolduc, but I wouldn't hesitate a second to trade him for last years 23 overall.

 

[Oberyn]

I'd like to see the Blues target a defenseman as there are several that I like, but obviously BPA should be the main focus when it's time to pick.

Mintyukov is my most preferred but I don't think he'll be available at 23. If he slides to the 15-20 area, then I wouldn't be opposed to the Blues trading up for him. He has a ton of upside and has the potential to fill our hole on the left side of our D.

Korchinski is another who's been rising as of late thanks to his explosive offensive game, however his defensive play is sorely lacking. That's not to say he can't develop that part of the game, but he's a bit more of a wild card for me.

Lane Hutson is probably not someone Blues fans will be interested in as he's another offensive minded undersized defenseman, but his skillset is very tantalizing. Great skater and offensive instincts but somewhat underdeveloped physically. It looks like he weighed in at 158lbs at the Combine and he'll need to build on that when he goes to college. He's still a few years out so he has time to hit the gym.

I haven't done much research on this year's draft so will try and do some more leading up to it unless Armstrong trades our 1st. Then I won't bother.

 

[ezcreepin]

Ideally, the BPA is a good two-way defenseman that slots in on the left side, but if we could get lucky and get another impact scoring forward around the 20th spot, I'd be super happy with that. Thomas was a MAJOR value pick at 20 and is looking to be not only a massive offensive weapon, but a great two-way player as well. Kyrou, despite some consistency issues, is also another value pick we got in the 2nd round, but these guys are more pass-first type players. Neighbours is your prototypical Steen-type player, so if we could maybe add another Bolduc/shooting forward, I think the future core could be set for a good long while.

Again, if we could find a really nice defenseman at 23, then I think you probably take him, but we've been able to find really solid players in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th rounds (I wrote them all out for effect ). Krug is here for a number of years provided he isn't traded, Parayko and Faulk clean up on the right side, so shoring up the left side should be the focal point at the moment. I wish I was good at scouting so I could gawk over players, but I enjoy reading what everyone else has to say about their fav prospects

 

[Brian39]

Only player Blues ever drafted 23d.

All time points leaders players drafted 23rd.

The fact that only 18 of the 53 former 23rd overall picks have hit the 100 point mark really demonstrates how difficult it is to scout prospects after the consensus studs are off the board.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Only player Blues ever drafted 23d.

All time points leaders players drafted 23rd.

This made me aware that Conner Bleackley is still toiling away in the ECHL for the last 2 years. He's "only" 25, which is a lot younger than I would have guessed. But you have to respect a guy who has fought so much adversity and tried to keep his dream of a professional hockey career alive long past the point where most people would have given up.

 

[execwrite1]

The Athletic has the Blues pick as Owen Pickering, LHD, 6'4", 180

A towering defenseman at 6-foot-4, Pickering has excellent feet for a player his size and noticeable offensive upside. He effectively carries the puck out of his own zone, acting as a one-man breakout at times, and is very good at carrying it through the neutral zone. Still a raw talent, there are consistency issues in his game, but his talent is undeniable.

 

[bleedblue1223]

That complete profile almost screams Parayko, the pros and the cons. And even how they both had late growth spurts and rose in their draft years, Pickering obviously rising to potential late 1st where Parayko was more of a hidden gem.

 

[PocketNines]

Have not had bandwidth this year to also track prospects, that has all been swallowed up by ranking film noir. Pickering sounds like the exact type of player the Blues should be looking at if he's still on the board which it sounds like he well might not be. I would be very happy if the Blues landed a likely top 4 defender with that pick.

 

[Blueswin]

Sportsnet has ....23. Liam Ohgren, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20): Showed plenty of character as Sweden’s captain, playing effectively while injured at the U18’s.

Sportsnet's 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: Final Edition

In his final draft rankings of the season, Sam Cosentino keeps Shane Wright at the top, but it's really tight with the top three. The NHL Draft is up next on July 7-8.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Sportsnet has ....23. Liam Ohgren, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20): Showed plenty of character as Sweden’s captain, playing effectively while injured at the U18’s.

Sportsnet's 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: Final Edition

In his final draft rankings of the season, Sam Cosentino keeps Shane Wright at the top, but it's really tight with the top three. The NHL Draft is up next on July 7-8.

www.sportsnet.ca

That’s the first list I’ve seen that has Östlund in front of Ohgren. I hope that trend doesn’t continue because I would much rather go for Östlund. I think of him as a much smarter player that could have some of the best potential in the draft for any player in the back-half of the first round.

I still think this draft is good. The Blues could take advantage of the confusion from the COVID years if they focus less on results and more on play itself. It’s a higher risk this year as there isn’t as much hard evidence (stats, track record, etc.) of sustained success. But I love the talent on display from pick ~5 downwards.

The Blues might play it safe with no 2nd this year, so Pickering would be the guy they target. But if they’re willing to take a risk, I’d be all for it, regardless of outcome.