The St. Louis Blues are closing out the season much stronger than just about everyone could've predicted, now sitting at 33-31-12 and three points out of a wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Maybe they should just full send and chase the playoffs with all they have, though it could cost them a top pick to infuse their pipeline with some desperately needed high-end talent.
However, their prospect pool might not be nearly as weak as one might think. Over at The Athletic, Scott Wheeler has been doing his annual pipeline rankings, and the Blues came in at number ten on his list.
Wheeler correctly recognizes that the Blues are "missing a truly elite prospect," but notes that "they have high-end players at every position," which means they've got some excellent supporting players to surround top talent like Robert Thomas and Philip Broberg. Well, if they keep the band together and don't trade Thomas or Jordan Kyrou this summer.
At the top of the list is the Blues' most recent first-round draft pick, Justin Carbonneau, who Wheeler sees as a winger with top-six upside if he improves his pace and defensive play. Carbonneau had a shot at making the Blues out of camp to start this season, but ultimately went back to the Q--maybe he's got a real shot to make the NHL next season, or at least join the Springfield Thunderbirds under the NHL's new rules about CHL players joining AHL teams.
Second on the list is Dalibor Dvorsky, even though he's more or less established himself as a regular NHL player at this point. Wheeler describes Dvorsky as a player with a high floor and second-line center upside; if Thomas is traded, maybe he can be something more. Following Dvorsky is defenseman Adam Jiricek, who Wheeler sees as a second-pair defenseman--he'll slot in well behind Broberg.
Those three players comprise Wheeler's first tier of four, and while the Blues do lack a star at the top of their pipeline, there's solid depth at multiple positions (though we won't give away the entire ranking!). Maybe the Blues don't have to break up the team this summer to rebuild, and the infusion of this youthful talent could be enough to put them in playoff contention next season after all.