Jordan Schmaltz: The Change The St. Louis Blues Need?

Yesterday the St. Louis Blues announced the signing of 2012 first-round defensive pick Jordan Schmaltz to a three-year entry level contract. Schmaltz leaves behind a three-year career at the University of North Dakota as a Fighting Sioux where he got on the score sheet with 28 points in 42 games and was an all-National Collegiate Hockey Conference pick.

He gives up his fourth and final year of college eligibility in signing with the St. Louis Blues, but it’s none too soon for the St. Louis Blues, who suffered defensive breakdowns during the postseason.

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The major defensive issues among the Blues came not just from being a team that was exhausted by the start of the post which led to a number of turnovers in their own end and allowing shots that should have gone unblocked, but also from a lack of offensive production (aside, of course, from the inestimable and irreplaceable Kevin Shattenkirk, who lead the team in postseason points).

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Luckily, Schmaltz was ready to move on, hopefully stepping up for the Blues at the blue line. From the Grand Forks Herald,

"“It’s exciting to take the next step in my playing career,” Schmaltz said Thursday night. “I’m exciting to get things going. But at the same time, it’s really tough to leave a place where I’ve developed some of my best friendships and a place you feel so connected to. There’s nothing better than playing in The Ralph. It’s tough leaving, especially all of my buddies, but I’m pretty focused and ready for the next step.”"

This is not the only NHL signing to come out of the men’s UND program in the past month; the Philadelphia Flyers signed former UND head coach Dave Hakstol to a six-year contract after pursuing him as their top pick for the position.

Schmaltz did go on record as saying that the change in coaches had nothing to do with his decision to sign with the Blues this offseason.

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Schmaltz, as reported by our sister site Arch Authority, did not have the strongest junior year, leveraging only four goals himself. His 24 assists, however, show that he is a strong contributor and can read the ice well. He finished the season with a plus/minus of +11 and had only 8 PIM to his name.

While Schmaltz may not be the blue line scorer that Shattenkirk or Pietrangelo are, he’s still in a development stage when it comes to his game. Each year at UND he raised his points total while lowering his PIM (he ended his freshman year on the Fighting Sioux with 32 PIM).

From Hockey’s Future:

"Schmaltz is an offensively oriented defender who handles the puck well and can make accurate, tape-to-tape passes. He has the look of a future power-play QB, but the rest of his game is not fully developed at this time. He has good size but doesn’t always make use of it, and his defensive skills are currently a work in progress. Schmaltz’s offensive ability might be enough to land him a job in the NHL, but more development time is needed before he can make that jump.[…]His bread and butter is setting up goals and that will likely be his calling card at the pro level. He must consider to address his defensive game to be and effective NHL defenseman one day."

Schmaltz will likely spend the start of his contract with the Chicago Wolves adding a bit more seasoning to his game but his first call-up will likely determine the Blues’ blue line future over the coming seasons. He may be the change the Blues need at the blue line, but not one they will see for some time.

Next: Blues Need To See Roster Changes

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