St.Louis Blues Draft Review

[St.Louis Blues]

Stepping into Staples Center with all but seventh round pick, new GM Mike Cleary was ready for any scenario: moving up, moving down or even moving out. After attempts to trade up fail, Cleary pulled the trigger on a deal. The Blues trade out of the first round in order to land Maurice Richard Trophy winner Marian Gaborik along with centerman Antoine Vermette. "This team has a good core of players, said Cleary. I truly believe we are much closer to the playoffs than what last season's record shows. With youngsters Oshie, Perron, Berglund, Eller and Johnson all ready to have an impact on this team, we felt comfortable trading our 1st rounder and get immediate help up front."

So the Blues were left observers until they selected Riley Sheahan with their 2nd round pick, at the 38th overall spot. While teams seemed to shy away from the 6'1" and 200 lbs center, St.Louis' draft brass was quite happy to see the prospect slip to them as they had him rated as a late 1st round talent. Scouted as a solid two-way center, Sheahan will likely return to the University of Notre Dame next season.
In a trade that brought goaltender Kari Lehtonen to St.Louis, the Blues also acquired a 2nd and a 3rd round pick from Atlanta. This 2nd rounder was used on another center, the diminutive Ryan Spooner. Despite his lack of size, Spooner has quite the scoring touch, as he put up huge numbers with the Peterborough Petes last season. A little bit rough around the edges, he's set to return to the OHL to become a complete player, but the team loves his potential.

Different round, same scenario, as the Blues selected a 3rd center with the 64th overall pick, Jeff Skinner. "This kid has what it takes to play for our team in the near future. To get him in the 3rd round, we feel this pick has great value." one team scout said. Interestingly enough, Skinner is an accomplished figure skater and can perform a single axle in full hockey gear. When informed about this after drafting the prospect, GM Cleary had this to say: "No comments. Garçon, Heineken please!"
Heading a different way this time with their second 3rd round pick, St.Louis opted for defenseman Julian Melchiori who caught the scouts' eyes with interesting numbers in the CCHL. He is considered a project by the organisation.

The Blues then went to the Finnish league to draft defenseman Samuel Carrier with their 4th round pick. Carrier could surprise some and the team would like him to cross the Atlantic sooner than later. After trading back in the 5th round, another defenseman was drafted by St.Louis, Jérôme Gauthier-Leduc, followed by center Freddie Hamilton in the 6th. Obviously unknown by most members of the crew, Hamilton was asked to clean up after them before leaving the draft table. "From empty bottles to hundreds of rubber bands that were used to throw at the Kings' table, the kid cleaned everything remarkably. He even found my hotel key in the bag of Cheetos. Freddie Hamilton truly deserves a ceilings boost! Something like +10 in shooting and +10 in positioning."