Everyone wants their favorite hockey team to move up and pick up the best available draft pick when it comes to be draft time. The faithful fans of the St. Louis Blues are no different.
The entire Blues universe is calling for using a package of a big trade piece and a few of their first-round picks to move up to San Jose's spot at No. 2. It would result in a brotherly reunion between prospect Otto Stenberg and his younger brother and consensus second-overall pick, Ivar Stenberg.
As enticing as that sounds, it might actually be a big mistake. Let's go over why.
Too much to give up for unproven talent
Ivar Stenberg is going to be a fantastic NHLer. All the signs are pointing that way, and whoever grabs him will enjoy the reward. But the Blues should still be cautious with how much they have to give up to get him. They have the 11th, 15th, and 29th pick in the first round, and using one or two of those picks, alongside a core piece like Jordan Kyrou to get Stenberg, would be a big regret.
Kyrou has seen a massive drop-off in production, but the jury is not out on him yet. This upcoming season can be a big chance to prove the haters wrong, and his play could convince the Blues brass to keep him in the 'Lou. He is about to enter the prime of his career, and with a number of other snipe-happy wingers getting themselves ready to hit the NHL level, Kyrou can be a valuable asset.
Plus, the idea of using all three of these first-round picks to round out this roster that is still filled with a lot of holes sounds a lot better than adding one winger to an already crowded pipeline. Defensive help and center depth are much more important to focus on, and that progress would be negated with a move-up.
The Blues have to be very smart with this draft, as it will be a pivotal point in their future success. To say that this selection process would make-or-break this franchise is an understatement. Moving up hurts them a lot more than it helps.
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