The St. Louis Blues have a few potential options with the 11th overall and 15th overall selections in the 2026 NHL Draft. We have already gone over two hard-to-get prospects in defenseman Chase Reid and Carson Carels, but what about a third possible d-man?
There may be an opportunity, if he were to slide down to that 11th spot, for the Blues to get their franchise defenseman who has been a proven winner on multiple levels. That defenseman is Keaton Verhoeff, and the University of North Dakota product has been labeled by some as one of the most NHL-ready players in this draft.
Profile
Verhoeff played two seasons of Junior Hockey up in Canada, playing in the Western Hockey League for the Victoria Royals. But, much like the consensus No. 1 overall pick, Gavin McKenna, he made the jump to the NCAA level.
The 17-year-old defenseman chose to play for the University of North Dakota and set some new standards. He is the third-youngest player to play College Hockey this past season, and is the youngest in North Dakota history to play. Not only did he play, but he suited up for 36 games, scoring six goals and adding 14 assists for 20 points before even becoming an Adult.
Likelihood of coming to the Blues
Some mock drafts have Verhoeff going as high as sixth-overall to Calgary, or seventh to Seattle. Meaning that there is a high chance that another superstar-potential talent is going to be swept up before the Blues get a chance to make a pick.
The Blues do not necessarily need a blueliner, but it is imperative for this team to grab the best available player. No matter what the position, they need to grab the best possible player.
What they can bring if selected by the Blues
Verhoeff is a big body, and might not have stopped growing yet. At 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, he is already a massive threat, and his game is that of a two-way defensman who can play all 200 feet of the ice.
That kind of blanket is a perfect fit for the Blues' shaky defensive core. There is still a big gap between now and when he will be making his NHL emergence, but it is undeniable. This kid is going to be great, not good, but great as an NHL defenseman.
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