The Blues have a somewhat desperate need for defensive prospects in the system. Names like Adam Jiricek and Theo Lindstein do give some hope for the future, but strengthening that young pipeline would be a wise strategy for Doug Armstrong and Alex Steen to take in the upcoming 2025 NHL draft.
Let's take a look at some options that may be available to the Blues with their pick at 19th overall.
Blake Fiddler
One name to focus on as a likely selection is Blake Fiddler. Perhaps the most exciting parts of his prospect profile are the measurables.
Fiddler comes in at an impressive 6'4" and 209 lbs. He also has a July birthday and is yet to turn 18, meaning he is a very young prospect with the ability to develop at a much faster rate, comparatively.
In terms of his hockey ability, Fiddler is a defensive defenseman with a real mind for the position. He knows the advantage he has at his size and has perfected how to use it, using his long reach and large frame to interrupt chances going against his team. Furthermore, he is a very strong skater both forwards and backwards, with long strides that allow him to get involved in almost any defensive play he chooses.
Fiddler will not offer much in terms of production. This season in the WHL, he tallied 33 points in 64 games (10G 23A). Fiddler does have enough hockey IQ in transition to generate some offense, meaning he should produce enough to earn ice time, but his defensive upside is immense on the left side.
Jackson Smith
A very high upside play for the Blues, if he is available at 19, would be LHD Jackson Smith. Smith is a defensive name with more upside, and the range of his selection could be anywhere from 7-22 by most rankings.
Jackson Smith offers a rare blend of skating, skill, and size that many GMs could fall in love with. He is still raw as a prospect but does have a lot of physical tools that could skyrocket him up future prospect rankings.
Smith is a light skater at 6'3" 190 lbs, with great movement and ability to use his size. He has impressive offensive creativity given his size and defensive ability, making him a prospect with a lot of promise.
Jackson Smith put up 54 points in 68 games (11G 43A) in the WHL, a very impressive mark for a defenseman. Furthermore, he just recently committed to playing at Penn State next year in the NCAA, an announcement that comes with serious expectations.
If Smith is available at 19, the Blues would be wise to target him as an option.
Logan Hensler
Logan Hensler is an intriguing and fairly realistic swing the Blues could take in the first round. Hensler is projected to go in the 15-27 range, making him much more likely to be there at 19.
Hensler is a 6'2", 196 lbs RHD with an offensive profile for a defenseman. He is a good skater with a lot of explosiveness to his game and the way he moves, which aids as a creative tool on offense and a recovery ability on defense. He is smart and dynamic on offense and responsible enough on defense to serve as an overall productive defenseman.
Hensler spent his year in the NCAA at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned 12 points (2G 10A) in 32 games played, an impressive mark for a young defenseman in the NCAA.
Hensler profiles as a middle-pair option with impressive offensive creativity and play in transition, and could have the upside to be a terrific two-way defenseman in the best-case scenario. He will likely be available at the time of the Blues' selection and would help shore up the defensive prospect pool for the team in a big way, giving the Blues an option they might not have on defense yet.
The Blues have been trying to address their defense and get younger for what feels like years now, and this year's draft might be the way to tie a bow on the strides and improvements made so far. Getting one more good defensive prospect in the pool in the first round this year could be what the team needs to keep the pipeline flowing and set the defensive core up for long-term success.
I broke down what these prospects and more could look like in the most recent episode of my podcast, the Note News podcast. You can find that here:
One of the names on this list or another name off it could be a Blue this coming Friday, and Alex Steen and Doug Armstrong would be wise to consider their options at defense on draft night.