Blues Busy On First Day Of NHL Draft

The St. Louis Blues had a busy first day at the NHL draft on Friday night in Chicago. They drafted Robert Thomas a center in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) for the London Knights with their 1st round pick (20th overall). The Blues had another pick in the first round, at no.27. They ended up trading that pick to the Philadelphia Flyers, along with center Jori Lehtera for center Brayden Schenn. As part of the trade, the Flyers also get a conditional draft choice in 2018.

After doing that, the Blues swung another trade. This time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. They traded fan favorite Ryan Reaves and their 51st pick in the 2nd round to the Penguins for their 31st pick in the 1st round and center Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues used that pick on forward Klim Kostin.

Thomas, 17, was ranked no.22 by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau. That ranking is for North American skaters. He compares his game to forward Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings) and forward Mike Fisher (Nashville Predators). Last season, he played in 66 games. He scored 16 goals, and had 50 assists. Those were good for 66 points.

Klim Kostin seems to be the most interesting player. Kostin, 18, has been compared to Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Evgeni Malkin. He would have been a top 10 pick, if he didn't have a shoulder injury. He's known for his speed, puck handling, and likes going hard to the front of the net. Kostin is 6'3, and weighs 207.

Sundqvist, 23, was a Penguins top prospect. He was drafted in the 3rd round back in 2012. People seem to like his size, and physical style. He is able to play all three forward positions.

What do the Blues get in Brayden Schenn? He's a player who the Blues need. He will go to the front of the net. While, he doesn't do much on 5 on 5; he makes up for that on the power play. Last season, he scored 25 goals (17 on the power play). The last two seasons, Schenn has scored a total of 51 goals (28 of them on the power play). He isn't scared to fight as well. He'll start out as a center, but he can also play all three forward positions.

While, fans will miss Ryan Reaves the Blues upgraded their team a lot. It was worth it. Doug Armstrong made off with highway robbery. The Penguins needed someone to protect Sidney Crosby.  Jori Lehtera was a player the Blues wanted to get rid of. He really hasn't done anything since his first NHL season. Last season, Lehtera was hurt. Was that a reason why did bad? It could be, but no one really knows.