EJ Emery, D/USNTDP
We know defense is the most dire need for the Blues, and someone like EJ Emery would alleviate the pain of dealing with a lack of adequate blueliners in the system. So adding a defenseman who stands at 6’3, 185 pounds is an outstanding place to begin.
Emery is an awesome skater whose ability to disrupt plays in the defensive zone brings value not only at even-strength, but also on the penalty kill. You likely won’t like his offensive productivity, thanks to zero goals and 22 points in 88 games this year, but serving as a catalyst for a big play and moving the puck is what sets Emery apart.
That said, scoring or even getting credit for helpers isn’t how Emery makes an impact on the ice. Instead, it’s crushing plays, retrieving the puck, and finding open teammates to get a sequence going. It’s something we saw a lot of this past season, and you can expect to see more of that play when he heads to the University of North Dakota.
Best yet, drafting someone like Emery, and preferably also a blueliner in the first round, would make perfect timing for the Blues. Players like Colton Parayko will only have a couple of seasons left at best when Emery is ready to roll in the NHL, while Justin Faulk and Torey Krug will be long gone, or if they re-signed in St. Louis, on their way out as they would agree to substantially shorter contracts.
Overall, Emery would add a layer of pure defense to the Blues prospect pool should he fall to them in the middle of the second round. While he may not be the most well-versed player offensively, it shouldn’t matter, thanks to his ability to end opposing sequences and give his team puck possession.