Blues Draft Recap

2023-09-11

We have a trade to announce.  Before the GM’s even got on to discord, St. Louis was busy making a trade for a bonafide  1st pairing defenseman in Cam Fowler.  This is something that the Blues have never really had, and now it will be nice to know that barring any injuries they will have the luxury of having either Fowler or Seider on the ice at all time.   With that being said, there was no time for any pressers as there was still work to do in getting ready for draft day.

 

St. Louis came in to draft day with picks 27, 78, 103 and 109.  We were quite confident that we would still be able to get one of our two targets if we moved down and pickup and asset or two in doing so.   Luckily all worked out and St. Louis ended up picking at 36, 69. 78, 103 and 109.  Now lets go through and meet some of the news Blues prospects.

 

36th Overall – Easton Cowan : Forward, London Knights – 5’10” 170lbs

NHL Rights – 2023 28th Overall - Toronto Maple Leafs

Cowan has been super high on my board since midway through the Knights season.  Before the season started I had him on my radar as a late 4th to 5th round pick.  As the season progressed I knew he was not going to sneak under the radar, and come playoff time that was made even more clear.  He was the second maybe third best player on a CHL final team as a 17 year old ( Brochu and Winterton).  He has all the intangibles a winning hockey team is looking for.  He won London’s fastest skater competition, and was the smartest and toughest kid on the ice most nights.  He reminds me of a young Mike Richards but with a better shot.  Cowboy Giddy Up!

 

Cowboy Highlight Package - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00JTpudnirA

 

69th Overall – Andrew Gibson : Defence, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds – 6’3” 205lbs

NHL Rights – 2023 42nd Overall – Detroit Red Wings

Don’t let his stats or numbers fool you, he was arguably the 2nd best player on an awful team.  Unfortunately he had to miss the CHL Top Prospects game due to injury.  He is still a very raw kid that I see a high ceiling for.  He is a very smooth skater for someone with his size frame, a proto typical two way defender.  Uses his size well in all zones will solid gap control. Will rarely take clappers from the point, he is more of a get the puck through type of guy at this point.  Reads the play extremely well for a CHL rookie. This was just his rookie season in the OHL and he played well enough to get named to the Canada U18 team as a rookie so I believe they see the potential in him as well.   Looking forward to seeing his progression the next few seasons with some proper coaching and playing on a better team this season in the Soo.

Gibby Highlight Package - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyDH2TiwjOE

 

78th Overall – Carson Bjarnason : Goalie, Brandon Wheat Kings – 6’3” 190 Lbs

NHL Rights – 2023 51st Overall – Philadelphia Flyers

As mentioned with Gibson above, do not let his numbers fool you.  He was an integral part of an almost skillless Brandon team, and carried the team most if not all nights. He had a record of 21-19-5, to put that in comparison when Bjarnasson was NOT in net Brandon went 5-14-3.  He is a big goalie with very quick feet, solid lateral movement and a stellar glove.  Quite athletic for a bigger goalie, reminds me quite a bit of Devan Dubnyk in his early days.  He has the tools but how long will it take to put it all together. 

Having a solid goalie prospect pipeline I never came into the draft looking for a goalie, but seeing Bjarnason left was starting to burn a hole on my draft board and my brain.

 

Barney Highlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=povNk9FOAPA

 

103rd Overall – Mathieu Cataford : Forward, Halifax Mooseheads – 5’11” 190 Lbs

NHL Rights – 2023 77th Overall – Vegas Golden Knights

Can’t say I know a ton about Cataford as I had Terrance and Cam Allen slated to go here but adjustments must be made.  He is a high motor 200 foot player that is best suited to be a bottom 6 guy in the show.  For a little bit of the skill he lacks he makes up for in his work ethic, compete level and consistency.  He is on his game every night, he is just the prototypical player needed in your lineup to win Ships. Excited to see how a few graduating players in Halifax can potentially help improve his offensive potential.

 

Catty Highlights - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmREN80Dsh0

 

109th Overall – Brady Cleveland : Defence, USNTDP – 6’5” 210 Lbs

NHL Rights – 2023 47th Overall – Detroit Red Wings

Crash, Bang, Boom defense is what you are going to get from Cleveland.  Sure we all want the next Cale Makar and Adam Fox but sometimes you just need a Methot or Carlo to play with them.  This is where Cleveland comes in.  Could he be the Yang to Seiders Ying in the future.   As mentioned  previously, stats do not paint the whole picture and was pleasantly surprised to get Cleveland here.  How well will he rate in a sim game may be the question?  Regardless from everything I have heard and seen about him he is a fantastic kid!

 

Cleveland Draft Package - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMw6fOU0Lq4

 

All in all I am very pleased with how this years draft board turned out.  Might not have got some of the top end talent like some folks but I believe most of these guys will go on to have solid professional careers.