Blues Draft Day 1 Recap

In Scout Jarmo Kekalainen and General Manager Larry Pleau's last acts as members of the Blues organization, the team made some noise in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. 

Blues draft forward Jaden Schwartz with the 14th overall pick

In a surprise pick, Jarmo made, what was sketched to be, his final first round pick as a member of the Blues organization.  Schwartz was expected to be a late-first round pick, but Kekalainen felt the need to take him much earlier.  As a member of the Tri-City Storm, the 5'10” 180 lb. forward scored 33 goals, 50 assists for 83 points in 60 games last season.  His puck control and crafty hands earned him a first-round selection.

"I don't think Jaden has changed his style of play since he was 14 or 15 years old,” Jack Barzee of the NHL Central Scouting said.  “He's very deceptive and shifty through the neutral zone and strong on the puck. It's very hard to get the puck off his stick."

But the question mark lies in his size.  Blues fans have witnessed on several accounts how smaller players can be victims of poor puck control against bigger defensemen.  Paul Kariya, Brad Boyes, David Perron and T.J. Oshie, all 6'0” or smaller, faced many problems last season keeping the puck in the offensive zone and on their stick in the corners.

But many players have succeeded that are small in stature.  Brian Gionta of the Montreal Canadiens (5'7” 173 lbs.) has made a living  of deking around the best defensemen in the league and putting the puck in the net.  Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning (5'9” 177 lbs.) has found a way to succeed in the league, scoring on blasts from the face-off dots and weaving around defenders to score the pretty goals.

As one of Jarmo's last decisions, the Blues are hoping for the sleeper pick with Schwartz.

Blues trade defenseman David Rundblad to Ottawa Senators for 16th overall pick; select Vladimir Tarasenko

Rundblad's career as a Blues prospect was short lived.

After being selected 17th overall by the Blues in 2009, Rundblad was used as trade bait to acquire the 16th overall pick in this year's draft.  It was obvious Jarmo had his eye on a certain prospect and he wanted him badly in the Blues' system.

Vladimir Tarasenko plays a little different style of a game than Schwartz.  Standing at 6'0” and weighing 192 lbs, Tarasenko is a pulverizing forward that has a quick release on his shot and a great set of hands that make for quick passes.

“Vladimir is very effective around the net with his excellent overall skill level and vision,” NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said.  “He is a strong, mobile skater with a quick shot. He is not only a sniper, but also a good passer and playmaker. There are no real weaknesses in his overall game and he will be one of the most interesting prospects at the draft."

A big upside for Tarasenko is when his numbers are compared to Alexander Ovechkin's during his draft year.  Ovechkin scored 13 goals and 23 points in 53 games, while Tarasenko put up 13 goals and 24 points in 11 less games played.  He is not as crafty as the big Washington winger, but his numbers are very comparable in the Russian leagues. 

Tarasenko was rated as the second best Russian player in the 2010 Entry Draft, just behind Kirill Kabanov (selected 65th overall by the New York Islanders due to worries of him playing in the KHL). 

Both players are probably a few seasons off from playing with the Blues.  But the last day of Jarmo Kekalainen being the face of the Blues at the draft has the possibility to be his most important day with the organization.