The St. Louis Blues have boasted a strong crop of prospects for much of the last decade. First it was T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund, Erik Johnson and David Perron who were meant to become the next big stars for the Blues. While Oshie is the only one closest to reaching his potential. Oshie is a top six forward for the Blues while Berglund is rumored to be on the trading block and Perron is now in Edmonton. Oh, and Erik Johnson? He turned into Kevin Shattenkirk, so that turned out well for the Blues.
Then the next wave, Alex Pietrangelo, Jaden Schwartz, and Vladimir Tarasenko. All of which are living up to their hype. Pietrangelo is a Norris candidate, while Schwartz and Tarasenko are molding themselves into productive top six forwards.
Now the next batch of prospects have arrived, and many have incredible upside. So lets take a look at the Blues top 20 prospects.
1. Jake Allen - 24 - G Jake Allen has been successful in every league he's played in. He was a superb goaltender in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he's coming off an American Hockey League season in which he lead in all major statistical categories, including wins, save percentage, and goals against average. He was also named goaltender of the year in the AHL. His NHL numbers don't look fantastic, but if you remember, when he was called up two seasons ago, he basically saved the Blues season. This year will be his first full year in the NHL and he'll be battling Brian Elliott for starts.
Allen has the potential to be a star in the NHL, but he has a little ways to go. However, many believe come playoff time, Allen will out-perform Brian Elliott and earn the starting job.
2. Robby Fabbri - 18 - C Robby Fabbri, the Blues first round pick in the 2014 NHL draft, is a very impressive skill set that could see him be a true offensive star in the NHL. While he is undersized, he has the heart of a lion and isn't afraid to back down from anyone. He'll battle hard in the corners and drive to the front of the net. It's a dangerous game for a player his size, but he certainly is willing to battle. One of his best assets is his speed. He's fast, he is agile, and he can blow people away in a one-on-one race. His puck skills are a treat to watch as well. He can make some really flashy moves with the puck, but his shot is what surprises people. He's got a very quick release and his ability to get his shot off quickly is what helped him score 45 goals in 58 games with the Guelph Storm last season. Fabbri has the potential to be a top six center in the NHL, but he really needs to fill out his 5'10" frame in order battle with the big boys. While he has the skill to be an NHL player now, his size will probably hold him back for at least another two or three seasons.
3. Dmitrij Jaskin - 21 - LW/RW Dmitrij Jaskin is a very interesting prospects in the Blues system. He is physically ready to be in the NHL. He has the offensive and defensive tools to be a successful player at this level. The only thing holding him back is his skating ability. It's well known that Jaskin has worked with a power skating coach this off-season, and if his skating ability improves, there isn't going to be anything to hold Jaskin back from being an NHLer. His size and grit allows him to play that power forward style, while his skills with the puck help him produce offensively. Like many power forwards, Jaskin isn't afraid of playing two-way hockey. He's got the upside to be a top six winger in the NHL, and many have compared him to Chicago Blackhawk forward, Marian Hossa.
4. Ivan Barbashev - 18 - C/LW Ivan Barbashev is the complete package. He has size, speed, and skill. While he's more of a play-maker, his shot isn't to be underestimated. He needs to fill out his frame a little more, but he isn't far from battling for an NHL roster spot. He has potential to be a top line player, but he needs to become more consistent in his play to be an effective top line forward. So while there is very little doubt that he'll become an NHLer, it's his effort game in and game out that will determine if he'll be a star or not.
5. Ty Rattie - 21 - RW Ty Rattie is the epitome of a boom or bust prospect. He has tremendous offensive skill, which helped him score 31 goals as a rookie in the American Hockey League. However, his lack of a solid two-way game, and his undersized frame stops him from being an effective role player. If Ty Rattie makes in the NHL, it will be because his skill translates from the AHL to the NHL. If he makes in the NHL, it will be in an offensive role. Jaden Schwartz was able to start on the fourth line due to his two-way ability. Rattie however will not be taking that route. It's top six or bust for Rattie. So while he has the potential to be an offensive force at the NHL level, he could become another Tim Stapleton, Alexandre Giroux, or Corey Locke.
6. Colton Parayko - 21 - D Have you seen a smooth skating defensemen who can dominate you in the physical game? No? Well meet Colton Parayko. This 6'5" 220 pound defensemen is a monster on the blueline. He is a tough-as-nails defender who likes to hit people. On top of that, he's defensively sound and has some offensive talent as well. He'll be headed back to college this season, but when he turns pro, it's not going to be his size that holds him back. It's going to be if he can keep up mentally with the NHL game.
7. Jordan Schmaltz - 20 - D Jordan Schmaltz is a different kind of defender than Colton Parayko. While he possesses decent size, standing at 6'2" and weighing in just under 200 pounds, his best asset is his ability to move the puck up ice quickly. He's an offensive defensemen who is rounding out the defensive side of his game at the University of North Dakota. He's coming off his sophomore season which saw him post six goals and 18 assists. Which doubled his rookie year of three goals, nine assists. Schmaltz is a lot like Kevin Shattenkirk. He has a lot of offensive skill, but it's the defensive side of his game which holds him back from being a top notch prospect.
8. Jordan Binnington - 21 - G Jordan Binnington has dominated almost every level of hockey he's played. His last season in junior hockey saw him post some truly incredible numbers. He played 50 games with the Owen Sound Attack, posting a 2.17 goals against average, and a 9.32 save percentage. This past season with the Kalamazoo Wings, Binnington played 40 games, posting a 2.35 GAA and a .922 SV%. In three playoff games, Binnington post a 1.89 GAA and a .946SV%. He's set to move up to the Chicago Wolves this season, and if he proves he can play at that level as well, it wont be long until he gets a shot at the NHL level. Binnington has the ability to be a number one goaltender at the NHL level, but goalies are tricky. We've seen goalies have the talent, but lack what's needed between the ears to be a NHL goalie. Right now, Binnington looks solid, but at a time, so did Marek Schwarz.
9. Petteri Lindbohm - 20 - D Lindbohm is a steady, two-way defensemen, who can move the puck well while maintaining a solid two-way game. Much like Jay Bouwmeester. While Lindbohm doesn't quite have the speed like Bouwmeester, their styles aren't much different. Lindbohm has the upside to be a top four defensemen and it looks like he wants to prove that to the Blues, as he'll be attending training camp and is likely to play in the AHL this season.
10. Tommy Vannelli - 19 - D Tommy Vannelli is a very interesting prospect, because no one knows what sort of player he'll be in the pros. He's a smooth skating, offensive defensemen. His defensive game isn't that great, and he needs to fill out his frame more to be able to handle the physical game of the NHL. It's been rumored he might try and play in the AHL this year, as he wasn't drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League, he isn't bound to the under 20 rule of the CHL. He needs to round his defensive game to become a successful NHLer.
11. Ville Husso - 19 - G It's not often you see a goaltender under 20 dominate a professional league. But that's exactly what Husso did last season with HIFK of the Finnish professional league. Playing in 41 games with HIFK, Husso posted a 1.99 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Husso is very much an unknown prospect. He could become a star starting goalie at the NHL, or never make it out of the SM-Liiga. Only time will tell.
12. Maxim Letunov - 18 - C Maxim Letunov is a big power forward with very soft hands. His hard shot is difficult to deal with and his playmaking skills round out his offensive game very nicely. His skating is something that needs to be improved upon and he needs to fill out his 6'2" frame quite a bit. Weighing only 154 pounds, he's quite lanky for his size. However, this young Russian is taking a much different approach than others before him. Letunov is committed to play for Boston University and that will give him plenty of time fill out and pack on weight before turning pro. Letunov has a good five to six years before he'll even be close to fighting for an NHL roster spot. So while he has ability to be a top nine center, he'll have to fight for everything he gets.
13. Jani Hakanpaa - 22 - D Jani Hakanpaa is a big (6'5" 218 lbs) defensemen who plays a strong physical game. He's not going to provide you a lot of offense, and needs to work on his skating. However, his defensive game is strong, and he's a hard hitting defensemen. While his upside isn't much, it wouldn't be out of the question for him to develop into a strong bottom pairing defensemen.
14. Joel Edmundson - 21 - D Speaking of big strong defensive defensemen. Joel Edmundson is much the same as Hakanpaa. While Hakanpaa is a more defensive defensemen, Edmundson has a harder, more accurate shot. His skating is better than Hakanpaa's too. However Edmundson needs to add on a little more weight as well. Edmundson has more of a chance of making it to the NHL much like Derek Engelland did. Punch people. If you can be semi-adequate defensively, and you punch people in the face really hard, you have a chance of being an NHL defensemen. Granted it might in a 6/7 role, but it's possible he makes it that route as well.
15. Niklas Lundstrom - 21 - G Lundstrom is another interesting prospect as we aren't exactly sure what kind of goalie he'll become. While he was looking like another strong goalie prospect, last season saw his stock fall quite a bit after his struggles in the Swedish Elite League. He was eventually loaned to Sodertalje of the Allsvenskan in Sweden, he didn't exactly dominate that league either. This year, however, will be his first in North America. While it's likely he'll start the year in the ECHL, we could see him play a few games with Chicago of the AHL as well. This will be a big year for Lundstrom to either impress and move up the prospect ranks, or flounder and fall into the bin of former goalies who didn't pan out.
16. Austin Pognaski - 18 - RW Poganski has the opportunity to be a steal of a draft pick by the Blues this past season. An offensive forward with a mean streak. He's a tough player to play against as he has no fear when going to the front of the net or going into the corners.
Poganski is most effective when he's playing physical. He's a power forward with soft hands, a heavy hitter with skill. Poganski is headed to the University of North Dakota where he will be able to really fill out his frame and work on his all around game. Poganski possesses a quick shot, and has impressive hand-eye coordination. He is going to be one of those players who will take three to four seasons before going pro, but he has top six potential. With Vladimir Tarasenko, T.J. Oshie, Dmitrij Jaskin, and Ty Rattie in the organization, the Blues can afford to take their time grooming Poganski.
17. Zach Pochiro - 20 - C/LW The selection of Pochiro annoyed many Blues fans, as he seemed to be the "hometown pick" and many didn't see any upside to his game.
However, Pochiro is a very interesting player. A brawler, Pochiro plays a fast, hard game. Pochiro isn't the biggest, and has a lot of filling out to do, but he's a tough guy with skill. He's coming off a 66 point season in the WHL, while posting 123 penalty minutes with the Prince George Cougars.
Pochiro has a lot of work to do to become an NHLer, but he has a very raw skill set and has the potential to be an effective NHLer.
18 . Sebastian Wannstrom - 23 - C Wannstrom is another prospect who stepped back into the prospect spot light this season with a strong second half with the Chicago Wolves. Wannstrom has previously struggled playing the North American game, but really seemed to put it together this year. His impressive speed, his size allows him to be effective on both ends of the ice.
Come playoff time, Wannstrom was relied upon in all situations with the Chicago Wolves. Wannstrom is very likely need another season in the American Hockey League before potentially stepping in and playing NHL games. While he could potentially turn out to be juset another average AHLer, Wannstrom has potential to settle in as a fourth line center role at the NHL level.
19 - Santeri Saari - 19 - D Saari is a relatively unknown prospect by most fans. The large Finnish defensemen plays a defensive game and has little to no offensive game. However, he does play a physical game, and with his frame (6'3 209 pounds), Saari joins Shields, Joel Edmundson, and Jani Hakanpaa as large defensive defenders who are trying to make a name for themselves in the Blues organization. Saari will play for Jokerit in the KHL next season.
20 - Jaedon Descheneau - 19 - C/LW Descheneau was a very good selection in the 5th round in this year draft. An overage player in his draft year at 19 years old, he had a very strong season with the Kootenay Ice of the WHL. In 70 games this season, Descheneau scored 44 goals, 54 assists for 98 points. This is his second straight season posting more than a point per game.
Descheneau is a smaller player, listed at 5'9, but weighs in a 185 lbs and doesn't need to use his size to play his style of game. One knock on him is he doesn't go hard to the net or battle in the corners, and that will need to change if he hopes to make it to the NHL one day.
A few honorable mentions are going to be below. Guys who can still make it to the NHL, and very well be potential call ups this season, but just missed out on the top 20 list.
Cody Beach - 22 - RW Cody Beach's picture on the Blues website shows him sporting shiner on his left eye, and that picture fully depicts the kind of player Beach is. He's a bruiser, a tough guy, and he is tough. One of the tougher guys in the American Hockey League, Beach likes to throw them. However, Beach adds a pretty decent all around game.
He's not going to put up great offensive numbers, but he will chip in with the occasional goal and he plays a fairly decent defensive game. If Ryan Reaves would go down with injury, Beach could very step in to play this up coming season. He does has a little more to learn in the AHL, but he could very well end up being a solid fourth liner in the NHL.
David Shields - 23 - D David Shields really improved his game this past season playing with Taylor Chorney with the Wolves, and re-established himself as a prospect. He's a defensive defender with a lot of size and a very heavy shot. Entering the season, he had a total of one goal and nine assists in his AHL career. He shattered both of those numbers by posting five goals and 10 assists.
He has a lot to learn in the AHL and this season will be key for him to continue to improve on his game. However, he could still develop into a solid bottom pairing defender at the NHL level.