Blues 2011 NHL Entry Draft Quick Recap

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft kicked off in Minneapolis  Minnesota on Friday night. Present were representatives for the 30 NHL franchises looking to pluck that diamond from the rough and land their teams next rising super star. The St. Louis Blues are no different then the other teams with the over all goal that they have in mind.. Win Lord Stanley’s cup and at what ever cost is necessary. That being said each team faces a different set of financial and internal conflicts that dictate the direction in which they proceed at the draft. This year it was very apparent that the St. Louis Blues are looking to improve the team for the ” now” as well as work in back ground pieces to fulfill needs that will occur as prospects mature in Peoria and need to be replaced as they venture into the NHL either with the Blues or as a part of a different organization. Coming from the BNZ staff over the next few days will be more in depth looks at all of the picks that were selected by Bill Armstrong and his crew in Minneapolis this weekend. I will provide a quick look at who the Blues selected and at what rank.

The Blues first pick came at #32 and was a second round pick in which they selected forward Ty Rattie. This 18 year old 163 lbs forward for the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL helped them to finish atop the western conference which was their first time accomplishing this feat. He projects to have goof offensive upside skill set but needs to work on Gaining some weight and strength before he is AHL/ NHL ready.

The Blues then selected Dmitrij Jaskin 41st overall in the second round. Jaskin is a 6’1” 196 pounder born in Russia but moved to the Czech Republic at 8 months old. He projects to be a big body player who can use his size to create space for himself and for his team mates. More to come on Jaskin…

At number 46 in the draft the Blues selected Joel Edmundson. Joel is 6’4” 191 pounds and plays defense. Joel won the hardest slap shot contest this year for the WHL posting a 98 mph booming blast. Edmundson is a prospect that some are putting a liking to Brett Ponich at this time and there for he is one to keep a close eye on as he develops. He projects at this time to be a great third pairing guy and possibly as high as a second pairing Dman depending on his work ethic.

The next selection came in the third round at number 88. This pick seemed to surprise a few blues fans as the blues picked a goal tender prospect to bring into the fold. The blues selected Jordan Binnington. Jordan played for the Owen Sound of the OHL and was named the best goal tender of the 2011 Memorial Cup.

In the fourth round at pick number 102 the Blues selected forward Yannick Veilleux. Yannick is a 6’2” 190 pounder that seems to keep with the fit of larger bodied players that can move the puck and score goals. Veilleux played for Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where last year he posted 48 points with 19 goals and 29 assists.

Blues in the 5th round took Niklas Lundstrom at number 132. This swede goaltending prospect comes in at 6’2” and 187 pounds. He started in 22 games last season posting 1 shut out and a gaa of 3.05 and a save % of .890. playing with Aik Jr., in the Swedish Junior League.

Blues took in the 6th round 162nd overall Ryan Tesink. Ryan weighs in at 157 lbs on a 5’11 inch frame. He helped St. John of the QMJHL capture the Memorial Cup and lead all rookies in scoring with 8 goals and 27 assists good for 35 points in 59 games. With some more time at St. John and then maybe in Peoria I have a suspicion about this kid that he may turn into a sleeper.

For the blues last selection in the 7th round 192nd over all the Blues selected Teemu Eronen. Teemu is a Defensmen with Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League. He is 5’11” and weighs in at only 180 lbs. Teemu will need time to put on some muscle and work at his game before we will see much of him at all in Peoria. Will he even make it that far I am not exactly sure at this time. I have a sneaking suspicion that Kekolinen being the head guy at Jokerit had something to do with his selection into the blues organization.

For more from the St. Louis Blues web-site follow this link:  http://blues.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567307