The St. Louis Blues have an interesting batch of prospects. It’s a little bit of everything and they have some very underrated players.
1. Scott Perunovich
He’s a solid two-way defenseman. He’s not afraid to shoot, and that helped him have a tremendous season for Minnesota Duluth in 2017-18. He scored 11 goals and had 36 points in 42 games. It’s a school record for a first-year blueliner, and it was the most in the country for any first-year defenseman. The previous record-holder was Justin Faulk, who only played one season at the University, had 33 points. The former NCAA champion didn’t play last year and will start the season in the AHL, but maybe not for long.
2. Zach Bolduc
This center skates well down the ice, shields puck from defenders, and has a good snapshot. The Rimouski Oceanic standout is good around the net. Strong on defense with his stick in lanes and preventing plays from happening.
3. Jake Neighbours
Neighbours is a talented left wing who’s been scoring a lot for the Edmonton Oil Kings. He’s a precision skater and showed that off at the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2020. He’s a two-way player with top playmaking skills as well.
4. Klim Kostin
This 6-3, 212-pound winger played mostly for Omsk Avangard in the KHL and a few games for the Blues. He’s tough and a beast in the crease. His physical play and occasional scoring could find him a role this year with Sammy Blais being traded.
5. Matt Kessel
Kessel is the most underrated guy on this list. The defenseman scored 10 goals and 23 points for UMass and won a championship as well. He scored a big goal in the championship game. His good wheels and ability to go to the net are key to his game.
6. Nikita Alexandrov
Alexandrov can make a nice pass on the power play. Also gets rebounds and will wait for goalies to commit for some shots. He had five points in seven games for Utica in the AHL last season.
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7. Colten Ellis
Ellis has a pedigree, and he had a .926 save percentage for Charlottetown last season. He anticipates well. Has quick covers and is a decent puck handler.
8. Simon Robertsson
This right wing has a strong wrist shot. One of Robertsson’s strengths is his slippery skating. He passes well on the power play to get the puck back to shoot. He shined in international play.
9. Dylan Peterson
A lesser-known center from the NTDP has size 6-4 and solid bottom-six ability. Peterson will lay the big hit. He can score down low and can dish off some crisp passes. Power forwards take time, and that’s what we are looking at here.
10. Keean Washkurak
This talented center only got in three games with Utica last season, but he did score 19 points in 21 games in the Czech Elite League. He has good hands and good speed and will drop the gloves as well.
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