One To Watch: St. Louis Blues

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Solid drafting and patient player development have been keys to the success of the St. Louis Blues in recent years. The team spent its fair share of time at the lower end of the standings but made the most of the down years. The Blues drafted in the top half of the first round four times in five years from 2006-2010 and still have those players on their roster, or the players they received for them via trades. 

Despite picking much later these days, the Blues have still done very well at the draft with a number of their prospects trending upwards. 

2012 Choice: Max Gardiner - I thought Gardiner was an interesting player in an even more interesting situation. The former Golden Gopher was back in the NCAA but with a different program, and a new one at that in Penn State. Gardiner had a good year collecting 21 points in 23 games but only managed 3 goals. I'm guessing more was expected and if so, more will be counted on as he begins his junior season with the Nittany Lions. 

My 2013-14 choice for One To Watch with the Blues comes after the jump.

One To Watch: St. Louis Blues

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Not unlike the L.A. Kings, St. Louis has been a team that spent much of the last decade planning for the future, one that started to arrive over the last couple of years. The Blues are loaded and have begun to reap the benefits of a proper rebuild.

St. Louis is deep beyond the NHL boasting an array of prospects that most franchises would be envious of. Even after trading away Ben Bishop the Blues are secure with Jake Allen on the farm and Jordan Binnington further down the pipe.

There are some potential gems on the blueline like a personal favourite in Joel Edmundson. Brett Ponich, Jordan Schmaltz, Jani Hakanpaa and the AJHL's Colton Parayko are all worth taking note of.

I expect Jaden Schwartz and Vlad Tarasenko to be in the NHL this year so didn't look at them for this series. I am a believer in both that they can grow into NHL stars one day. 

Ty Rattie is destined for a big year in the WHL and Canada's U20 squad and was almost my pick for this series. The Alberta native is driven and definitely motivated after slipping out of the 1st round in 2011 and getting cut from the 2012 WJC team. I wouldn't bet against him this year. 

The player I went with isn't expected to be star in the NHL but my curiosity is high for him this coming year as he joins a team that has yet to play the first game of its existence.

Blues Sign Schwartz

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The St. Louis Blues have announced that they have signed 2010 1st round draft pick Jaden Schwartz to an entry level contract. The 19-year-old product of Wilcox, SK will join the team in on the road in Chicago tomorrow night.

Schwartz was chosen 14th overall in 2010 and has spent the last two seasons with the Tigers of Colorado College. The forward totaled 47 points in his freshman season, 41 as a sophomore. Colorado College's season came to an end on the weekend with an upset loss at the hands of Michigan Tech. The Huskies swept the Tigers in two straight games with Schwartz earning just a lone assist over the weekend.

The 5'10 forward is listed at 193 lbs by the Blues but was pegged at 5'9.5 and 190 lbs by Hockey Canada during the 2012 World Junior Championship. Schwartz captained the Red and White during the tournament in Alberta, it was his second stint at the U20 WJC.

Before his college career, Schwartz was a standout for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL where he led the league in scoring as a rookie with 83 points.

14th - St. Louis Blues Draft Preview

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When all the teams trotted out their new alternate jerseys a few years ago, the St. Louis Blues were one of the clubs that were applauded for their new look. The logo here was a great creation that didn't erase the music note but instead added a famous city landmark. For me it's one of the rare logo changes that might actually be an improvement on the original. I don't know that it is, but it's an argument I'd at least be willing to hear.

Blues Prospect Snap Shot

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The Blues were born in 1967 and played in the Stanley Cup Finals in each of their first three years of existence. Although the team has never captured the Stanley Cup, the Blues do hold a prestigious achievement in that they qualified for the playoffs every spring from 1980 to 2004.

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...