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."
Jeff Ponder's NHL Hockey fan blog archive for 06/2010
| View blog | Archive | Friends' blogs
June 2010
June 26, 2010
June 29, 2010
Jeff Ponder
Time to jump on the bandwagon – I have compiled a list of what I think will happen in early July during the free-agent frenzy in the NHL. Some are just thoughts to consider, but I have a few strong beliefs compiled in here as well. But you really have to ponder over how often us hockey bloggers are actually correct.
-Ilya Kovalchuk is easily the biggest name available in this year's free-agency period. Considering his rejection of a huge contract extension in Atlanta and his inability to move the Devils past the first round of the playoffs, Kovalchuk will most likely be playing in yet another new city. This player thrives on open rink and finding holes, so expect him to stay in the high-flying East. He will be getting a raise from his current $6.39 million/year salary, especially considering the Sharks just gave Patrick Marleau, a less-talented scoring forward, a contract worth $27.6 million spanning over four seasons. Teams will be reaching deep into their pocket books for this guy. But don't take Kovalchuk's rejection to Atlanta personal; the guy wants to win. Teams with cap room to spare and a will to capture hockey's holy grail will be the front-runner's for Kovalchuk's services.
-Ilya Kovalchuk is easily the biggest name available in this year's free-agency period. Considering his rejection of a huge contract extension in Atlanta and his inability to move the Devils past the first round of the playoffs, Kovalchuk will most likely be playing in yet another new city. This player thrives on open rink and finding holes, so expect him to stay in the high-flying East. He will be getting a raise from his current $6.39 million/year salary, especially considering the Sharks just gave Patrick Marleau, a less-talented scoring forward, a contract worth $27.6 million spanning over four seasons. Teams will be reaching deep into their pocket books for this guy. But don't take Kovalchuk's rejection to Atlanta personal; the guy wants to win. Teams with cap room to spare and a will to capture hockey's holy grail will be the front-runner's for Kovalchuk's services.
Posted by Jeff Ponder | 0 comment(s)
