You know how some NFL teams want to be “quarterback factories?” Well, someone like Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would be bold enough to take on that identity, and it’s one reason he should have no problem taking an under-the-radar candidate in the middle of the first round.
That goaltender is none other than Joshua Ravensbergen - and can we take a second and applaud how awesome that surname is? Anything with the word ‘raven’ in it, just sounds cool, if you ask me. And no, I’m not a fan of the NFL’s Ravens, if you’re asking - though I do kind of root for another set of birds who used to call St. Louis home.
Anyway, it’s the opportune time for the Blues to consider taking a goaltender. Binnington is 31 and has two years left on his deal, while Joel Hofer is heading into his age-25 season and is a restricted free agent. Meanwhile, Ravensbergen will be 19 in late November.
Joshua Ravensbergen won’t be ready for about four or five years, but…
Here’s what makes the Ravensbergen pick so intriguing if it happens. For one, Binnington will be 33 when his contract expires, and at that point, he could return on a smaller deal as a 1B to Joel Hofer, who will be 26 and ready to man the net as the No. 1/1A for the next however many years.
Ravensbergen will be 20 and will turn 21 in November of that year. At which point, he’ll be developing in the AHL. By the time his age-23 season rolls around, Binnington will be 36 and likely on the decline, while Hofer’s fully in his prime at age 29. Enter Ravensbergen, who can play a similar role that Hofer played over the past two seasons, before cutting into his time in the crease after those two years.
Meanwhile, the cycle keeps repeating itself, so long as Armstrong, or whoever’s leading the team at that point, makes good on drafting quality goaltenders. It’s a situation that would be tough for the Blues to lose out on. And it can even turn into a yearly thing if needed since there will be some misses.
Blues can be a goaltender factory indefinitely, starting with Ravensbergen
Joshua Ravensbergen would be a draft pick in which Blues fans would need to exercise serious patience, as is the case for most goaltenders. But he’s a first-round talent who could even make it to the NHL a little sooner than your typical netminder. And really, the sooner, the better, with Binnington now on his age-30-plus odyssey.
Sure, the Blues could use skaters, but the strides they’ve made in the prospect pool lately have me feeling confident they can get away with taking a goaltender in the first round should he be available. If not, then go with the best player available. But if I’m Doug Armstrong, there’s no way I’m passing on Ravensbergen if he’s there.
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