
St. Louis has struggled the last few years but has turned the on-ice misfortunes of the team into a windfall of top youngsters vying for a roll with the organization. Thanks to a combination of poor performance and shrewd asset management, the Blues have drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft 7 times in just the last 4 years.
Here is a look at some of the top prospects in the system for the St. Louis Blues...
Top Forward: Lars Eller
Peoria Rivermen
HT: 6'1 WT: 198 Lbs. Stats: 39GP 7-25-32 Pts.

Top Defenceman: Alex Pietrangelo
Barrie Colts
HT: 6'3 WT: 206 lbs. Stats: 9GP 2-7-9 Pts.

Pietrangelo played for Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championship and had some equally high and low moments. Although he led all blueliners with 12 points and had a +9 rating, Pietrangelo was also guilty of more than his fair share of defensive lapses. At the end of the tournament he was returned to the Ontario Hockey League and promptly traded from Niagara to Barrie. The Colts are a contender this year for the OHL crown and adding Pietrangelo to their already impressive line up has only made them better.
Top Goalie: Ben Bishop
Peoria Rivermen
HT: 6'7 WT: 205 lbs Stats: 14-9-3 2.73 GAA .904 SV%
The Blues have a trio of talented goalie prospects and any one of them could have rightfully claimed this position. Ben Bishop, a 3rd round selection back in 2005, is now playing in his second full season as a pro after three years at the University of Maine. The former Black Bear has improved his stats line from a year ago but there is still room for improvement. What separates Bishop, in my mind, from both Jake Allen and Hannu Toivonen is that towering 6'7 frame which has to be an imposing sight for oncoming shooters.
Most Underrated: Jonas Junland
Peoria Rivermen
HT: 6'2 WT: 198 lbs. Stats: 47GP 10-20-30 Pts.

Buzz Worthy: Five St. Louis prospects were considered hot commodities prior to the CHL trade deadline on January 10th. As mentioned earlier, Alex Pietrangelo was dealt from Niagara to the Barrie Colts. Also in the OHL, forward James Livingston and Phil McRae joined the Plymouth Whalers in two separate deals. Livingston has collected 3 points in 8 games and McRae has potted 6 points. In the WHL, Tyler Shattock was picked up by the Calgary Hitmen from Kamloops and has already earned 10 points in 9 games. Finally, goalie Jake Allen was acquired by the Drummondville Voltigeurs but it's been a mix bag of success for him in his new uniform. Allen's goals against average has dropped, as one would expect when moving to a much stronger team, but at the same time his save percentage has dipped to .891...
3 comments:
What's the story on Marek Schwarz? I feel he was the strongest goalie the year he, Montoya, and Dubnyk went in the first round, and while none of these goalies have established themselves (yet), Schwarz seems to have completely disappeared.
All I know is rumors which can often be far from the truth. I've heard that he spent the one year in Vancouver with the Giants and went back home because of his girlfriend... sounds weak tome though.
He spent some time in the AHL and ECHL, got into a handful of NHL games, and is back in Europe.
Seems like a lost cause if you have him in a keeper league.
I was pretty impressed by Pietrangelo at the WJHC. I saw at least as many defensive plays where he looked great as where he looked bad. Actually, I don't really remember any where he looked bad. But I probably wasn't paying close enough attention. But he's one guy I wouldn't mind having in Edmonton's system.
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