St. Louis Blues Draft Prospects: Boris Katchouk

As we continue to inch closer to the draft, we continue to look at some of the players that could hear their name selected when the St. Louis Blues put their selection in. Up next, is Boris Katchouk.

In the past couple weeks, we’ve discussed some very talented St. Louis based players that would be fine additions to their home town teams. However, adding Matthew Tkachuk is almost a zero possibility and Clayton Keller is unlikely since it might cost the Blues more than Kevin Shattenkirk for a player that will not play in the NHL next season.

So, now we move on to looking at players that are more likely to be available if the Blues stay in their current spot of 28. Bois Katchouk is an interesting prospect that could possibly be still on the board when the Blues pick rolls around.

The NESN mock draft has the Blues selecting Katchouk with the 28th pick come June 24. The Canadian-born Russian vaulted himself up into the first round mix with a good season last year after originally being projected in the second round.

Katchouk spend last season with Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League and is in his first year of eligibility for the NHL Draft. He’s a midsized player by NHL standards at 6’1 tall and weighing in at 181 lbs.

His stats seem to depend on the source, but are relatively impressive regardless. According to Elite Prospects, he scored 24 goals and had 51 points in 63 games. The Hockey Writers list him as having 23 goals and 47 points. Pretty decent scoring any way you slice it.

In addition to that, he put up incredible numbers in the NOJHL too. With the Soo Thunderbirds, he scored 18 goals and 45 points in 29 games.

Despite only weighing around 180, he plays a physical style. He is a solid player that plays a two way game and is difficult to keep off the puck in all three zones. He’s also not afraid to drop the gloves to stick up for himself or his teammates either.

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From the sounds of it, he seems like a slightly more defensive Robby Fabbri. He continues to motor until the shift is done or the job is done and doesn’t let any lack of physical attributes deter him.

Katchouk is going to be a project, despite his skills. He has the frame at 6’1 to put on some weight and will probably need to do so to keep up his physical style in the NHL.

He isn’t likely to be a top line player, but has the versatility to play a part anywhere from the second line through the fourth. That flexibility may actually be a drawing point for the Blues. St. Louis has their top line set for the next few years, so finding a player that could fit in anywhere else in the lineup could be an attractive asset, especially for a team that has struggled so mightily with injuries.

As with any pick, especially late in the first round, there is a bit of a gamble. They have the talent to put up numbers in college or junior hockey, but you can never truly tell how that will translate to the pros.

Katchouk is far from the finished article. He could continue to develop and be a nice surprise like Fabbri was. He could have talent but not find a spot right away like Ty Rattie or he might never see the NHL. The latter is unlikely, but nothing is out of the realm of possibility when you’re picking late.

Next: All Too Early Look at 2016-17 Line Combos

Katchouk isn’t going to wow anyone in one particular area, but is good enough in every area to be a valued member of the team. He would likely stay in Canada to play junior hockey for another season and then maybe move to the AHL. However, the Blues have always been a team that is more than the sum of their parts. Having a versatile player that can plug himself in anywhere in the lineup and not miss a beat is always something teams are looking for.