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St. Louis Blues Re-sign Danny Kristo; Providing More AHL Depth

By Todd Panula |
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues fans cheer in support after a goal scored by St. Louis Blues right wing Troy Brouwer (36) against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues fans cheer in support after a goal scored by St. Louis Blues right wing Troy Brouwer (36) against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Blues announced the re-signing of Danny Kristo. The Blues are continuing to build something with their minor league team.

With the St. Louis Blues re-signing Danny Kristo, they are continuing to build something with their minor league affiliate. The announcement was made on Tuesday, August 2 and reported by Jeremy Rutherford and then confirmed by the team.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the club has signed forward Danny Kristo to one-year, two-way contract.

Kristo, 26, spent the past four seasons in the AHL, including stints with the Hamilton Bulldogs (2012-13), Hartford Wolf Pack (2013-15), and Chicago Wolves (2015-16).

In 2015-16, the 6’0, 185-pound forward lead the Chicago Wolves in scoring (25 goals) and finished second in total points (48) in 71 regular season games.

In 2014-15, he ranked third on Hartford with 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists) in 72 regular season games, while he posted six points (three goals, three assists) in 15 playoff games, helping the Wolf Pack reach the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Prior to turning professional, Kristo spent four years at the University of North Dakota (2009-13). He began his collegiate career by capturing the 2010 WCHA Rookie of the Year Award, while in his senior campaign, he was named to the 2013 NCAA (West) First All-American Team and was chosen as a finalist for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award (Top Collegiate Player). The Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (56th overall) of the 2008 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft.

As seen above, Kristo led the Chicago Wolves in goal scoring in 2015-16. Kristo has yet to see a regular season game in the NHL, though he did see some time with the New York Rangers during the preseason.

The news isn’t a major story, in and of itself. Kristo is a speedster with the ability to score at the minor league level. He’s averaged just over 23 goals per season in his three full pro seasons and final season in college with the University of North Dakota.

In all honesty, Kristo may never make the NHL. At 26, time is not on his side and if he was going to make the leap, someone would have given him a chance already. He’s a good player, but his game seems better suited for the AHL at this point.

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That’s not necessarily a knock on him either, although many would take it that way. He’s still a valuable asset. At this stage of the game, he’s old enough to help mentor the younger players the Blues bring through their system but still young enough to not be viewed in a Bull Durham way where guys might ask why he’s spent almost all his career in the minor leagues.

Additionally, he provides much needed depth for the Blues’ AHL affiliate. Since 2005, the Blues’ affiliates have failed to make the playoffs six times. The Rivermen or Wolves also only advanced to the second round once during that time period as well.

While a minor league team’s success does not always transfer over to the NHL, it also does not look good in the optics. In the past, we have praised the Blues ability to draft reasonably well under the current regime, but for whatever reason – whether it be players skipping the minors or something else – things have not translated in the results in minor pro.

The Blues are trying to turn that around with an interesting mix of veterans like Kristo and Chris Butler, while also grooming what they hope will be the next generation like Ty Rattie or Ivan Barbashev.

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The deal is also a favorable one for all involved. It gives the Wolves a good scorer. It rewarded Kristo for a good season. It doesn’t break the bank for the Blues and it is also for only a season, since the Blues and Wolves seem to be more than willing to only renew their relationship on a year to year basis.

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