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Kinda funny... the Coyotes' first pick in the draft was a kid from St. Louis, and the Blues' first pick was a kid from Phoenix... not to mention that the first overall pick was also a kid from Phoenix. How's that for a statement about how hockey is growing by leaps and bonds in this country..
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The Blues selected a total of eight players in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, as follows:
| BLUES' SELECTIONS IN 2016 DRAFT | |||
| ROUND | OVERALL | NOTE | SELECTION |
| 1ST | 026 | via trade w/ WAS | Tage THOMPSON, C, Connecticut (HEA) |
| 2ND | 035 | via trade w/ CGY | Jordan KYROU, C, Sarnia (OHL) |
| 2ND | 059 | Evan FITZPATRICK, G, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) | |
| 4TH | 119 | Tanner KASPICK, C, Brandon (WHL) | |
| 5TH | 125 | prev acquired (CBJ) | Nolan STEVENS, C, Northeastern (HEA) |
| 5TH | 144 | via trade w/ CHI | Conner BLEACKLEY, C, Red Deer (WHL) |
| 7TH | 209 | Nikolaj KRAG CHRISTENSEN, C/RW, Rødovre (DMK) | |
| 7TH | 211 | prev acquired (PIT) | Filip HELT, LW, Litvinov U18 (CZE U18) |
GM Doug Armstrong was also busy in the trade market, but was unable to move Kevin Shattenkirk, as had been widely rumoured prior to the draft.
Armstrong swung a deal with Washington in the first round, sending out the Blues' own pick at 28th overall along with the third-round selection they had previously received from the Caps in the T.J. Oshie trade. In return, Armstrong received the 26th overall selection, which the Blues used to nab Tage Thompson.
Armstrong also dealt playoff hero Brian Elliot to Calgary in exchange for the 35th overall pick in this draft and a conditional third-round pick in 2017 if the Flames re-sign "Moose" prior to the upcoming Expansion Draft.
Finally, Armstrong sent the Blues' fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft to Chicago for the Hawks' fifth-round selection in this draft, which the Blues used to snatch up overage re-entry Conner Bleackley, a former first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche.
In summary, the Blues added some quality depth to the organization. In Bleackley, the Blues got a prospect that they are expected to sign right away and assign to the AHL for the 2016-17 campaign.
In addition to Bleackley, the Blues also drafted a pair of solid checking-line forwards; two players with legitimate Top Six scoring upside; another quality goaltending prospect to add to their already-impressive stable; and a pair of little-known, but intriguing Europeans who both stand a good chance of being selected in this coming Tuesday's CHL Import Draft.
Following are data panels on each of the Blues' selections this weekend, with the players listed in alphabetical order.
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Conner BLEACKLEY | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | Future Considerations | N/R | ||||||||
| Shoots | Right | Hockey Prospect Black Book | N/R | ||||||||
| Height | 6. 01.00" | RE-ENTRY: Originally COL 1 (23) 2014 | |||||||||
| Weight | 196 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer N/R | ||||||||
| Born | Feb. 7, 1996 | CSS Midterm | N Amer N/R | ||||||||
| Where | High River, AB | CSS Final | N Amer N/R | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Red Deer (WHL) | 55 | 13 | 33 | 46 | + 13 | 49 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2014-15 | Red Deer (WHL) | 51 | 27 | 22 | 49 | + 13 | 49 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2015 Playoff | Red Deer (WHL) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | - 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2013-14 | Red Deer (WHL) | 71 | 29 | 39 | 68 | + 3 | 48 | 10 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2014 Play-In | Red Deer (WHL) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Canada (WJC U-18) | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Leg strength; powerful stride | Unsigned prospect re-entering draft | ||||||||||
| Defensively responsible | Now with third NHL organization | ||||||||||
| Leadership traits and ability | May have limited offensive upside | ||||||||||
| PHOTO: NEW.WHL.CA | |||||||||||
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Evan FITZPATRICK | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Goaltender | Future Considerations | 50 | ||||||||
| Catches | Left | Hockey Prospect Black Book | 54 | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 02.50" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 222 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer "B" | ||||||||
| Born | Jan. 28, 1998 | CSS Midterm | N Amer G 2 | ||||||||
| Where | St. John's, NF | CSS Final | N Amer G 1 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | MN | GA | SA | AV | WN-LS-OT | S% | SO | ||
| 2015-16 | Sherbrooke (QMJHL) | 54 | 3067 | 175 | 1678 | 3.42 | 18-34-0 | 0.896 | 2 | ||
| 2016 Playoff | Sherbrooke (QMJHL) | 5 | 317 | 18 | 220 | 3.41 | 1-4-0 | 0.920 | 0 | ||
| Canada (WJC U-18) | 5 | 303 | 16 | 153 | 3.17 | 3-2-0 | 0.895 | 0 | |||
| 2014-15 | Sherbrooke (QMJHL) | 32 | 1689 | 96 | 828 | 3.41 | 13-14-0 | 0.884 | 1 | ||
| 2015 Playoff | Sherbrooke (QMJHL) | 3 | 145 | 11 | 75 | 4.56 | 1-1-0 | 0.853 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Ideal size for a goaltender | Focus, consistency issues | ||||||||||
| Rebound control, puckhandling | Plays deep in the net on occasion | ||||||||||
| Athletic; fluid lateral movement | |||||||||||
| PHOTO: EN.HOCKEYPHOENIX.CA | |||||||||||
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Filip HELT | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Left Wing | Future Considerations | N/R | ||||||||
| Shoots | Left | Hockey Prospect Black Book | N/R | ||||||||
| Height | 6. 01.00" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 194 lbs | CSS Prelim | Eur N/R | ||||||||
| Born | Apr. 9, 1998 | CSS Midterm | Eur N/R | ||||||||
| Where | Litvinov, CZE | CSS Final | Eur N/R | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Litvinov U18 (CZE U18) | 42 | 20 | 26 | 46 | + 17 | 48 | 4 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2014-15 | Litvinov U18 (CZE U18) | 28 | 3 | 9 | 12 | + 2 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Good size | An unknown quantity | ||||||||||
| Good progression from last season | Low level of competition | ||||||||||
| Possible CHL Import Draft selection | |||||||||||
| PHOTO: MLADEZ.HOKEJ-LITVINOV.CZ | |||||||||||
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Tanner KASPICK | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | Future Considerations | 97 | ||||||||
| Shoots | Left | Hockey Prospect Black Book | 89 | ||||||||
| Height | 6. 01.25" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 200 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer "C" | ||||||||
| Born | Jan. 28, 1998 | CSS Midterm | N Amer 76 | ||||||||
| Where | Brandon, MB | CSS Final | N Amer 79 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Brandon (WHL) | 53 | 12 | 18 | 30 | + 14 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2016 Playoff | Brandon (WHL) | 21 | 5 | 5 | 10 | + 8 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2014-15 | Brandon (WHL) | 53 | 1 | 17 | 18 | + 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2015 Playoff | Brandon (WHL) | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | + 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Good size; decent skater with power | Possible durability issues | ||||||||||
| Solid forechecking game | Could get his shot away a little quicker | ||||||||||
| Defensively responsible; good penalty killer | |||||||||||
| PHOTO: NEW.WHL.CA | |||||||||||
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Nikolaj KRAG CHRISTENSEN | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | Future Considerations | N/R | ||||||||
| Shoots | Right | Hockey Prospect Black Book | 149 | ||||||||
| Height | 6. 03.00" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 201 lbs | CSS Prelim | Eur "C" | ||||||||
| Born | Aug. 12, 1998 | CSS Midterm | Eur 120 | ||||||||
| Where | Rødovre, DMK | CSS Final | Eur 136 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Rødovre (DMK Metal Ligaen) | 30 | 2 | 2 | 4 | - 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Denmark WJC U-20 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Denmark WJC U-18 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | - 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2014-15 | Rødovre SIK (DMK-2) | 26 | 14 | 11 | 25 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Denmark WJC D1A U-18 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | + 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Good size for pro game at center | Relatively unknown quantity | ||||||||||
| Excellent straight-line top speed | Pivots, first steps need improvement | ||||||||||
| Possible CHL Import Draft selection | Low level of competition | ||||||||||
| PHOTO: IIHF/2016WORLDJUNIORS.COM | |||||||||||
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Jordan KYROU | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | Future Considerations | 33 | ||||||||
| Shoots | Right | Hockey Prospect Black Book | 69 | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 00.00" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 178 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer "B" | ||||||||
| Born | May 8, 1998 | CSS Midterm | N Amer 45 | ||||||||
| Where | Toronto, ON | CSS Final | N Amer 34 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Sarnia (OHL) | 65 | 17 | 34 | 51 | + 13 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2016 Playoff | Sarnia (OHL) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | + 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Canada WJC U-18 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | + 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2014-15 | Sarnia (OHL) | 63 | 13 | 23 | 36 | + 8 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2015 Playoff | Sarnia (OHL) | 5 | 1 | 5 | 6 | - 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Great speed; excellent hands | Needs to get stronger | ||||||||||
| Excellent vision, determination, drive | Needs to put forth amore consistent effort | ||||||||||
| Skilled and creative; scores "highlight-reel" goals | Scouts had wide divergence of opinions on him | ||||||||||
| PHOTO: NEW.ONTARIOHOCKEYLEAGUE.COM | |||||||||||
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Nolan STEVENS | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | Future Considerations | 145 | ||||||||
| Shoots | Left | Hockey Prospect Black Book | N/R | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 02.00" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer N/R | ||||||||
| Born | July 22, 1996 | CSS Midterm | N Amer N/R | ||||||||
| Where | Sea Isle City, NJ | CSS Final | N Amer 209 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Northeastern (Hockey East) | 41 | 20 | 22 | 42 | + 13 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 5 | |
| 2014-15 | Northeastern (Hockey East) | 36 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2013-14 | USNTDP U-18 (USHL) | 60 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| United States WJC U-18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Decent size; hard worker | Skill level good, not great | ||||||||||
| Plays a simple, strong, effective game | Only an average skater | ||||||||||
| Defensively responsible | Two years older than most draftees; late bloomer? | ||||||||||
| PHOTO: HOCKEYEASTONLINE.COM | |||||||||||
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Tage THOMPSON | RANKINGS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Right Wing/Center | Future Considerations | 30 | ||||||||
| Shoots | Right | Hockey Prospect Black Book | 28 | ||||||||
| Height | 6' 05.00" | ||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lbs | CSS Prelim | N Amer "B" | ||||||||
| Born | Oct. 30, 1997 | CSS Midterm | N Amer 24 | ||||||||
| Where | Phoenix, AZ | CSS Final | N Amer 20 | ||||||||
| SEASON | CLUB | GP | GL | AS | PT | +- | PM | PP | SH | GW | |
| 2015-16 | Connecticut (Hockey East) | 36 | 14 | 18 | 32 | - 14 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2014-15 | USNTDP U-18 (USHL) | 64 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 0 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| United States WJC U-18 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | + 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| SCOUTING NOTES | |||||||||||
| PLUS | MINUS | ||||||||||
| Great size; big, raw talent | Probably better suited to wing than center as a pro | ||||||||||
| Excellent shot; high scoring percentage | Faceoff skills need a lot of work | ||||||||||
| Defensively responsible; solid work ethic | Skating: Edge work, overall agility need iprovement | ||||||||||
| PHOTO: HOCKEYEASTONLINE.COM | |||||||||||