Top 5 forwards the St. Louis Blues must have on their shortlist in the 2024 NHL Draft
Tanner Howe, Regina
Every forward on this list has at least decent size, and the 5’11, 181-pound Tanner Howe is no different. Like most forwards on the Regina Pats, someone had to step up and be the go-to guy following Connor Bedard’s departure to the Chicago Blackhawks, and Howe did that in more than one way.
Overall, his points productivity dropped, but it declined from 85 in 67 games to 77 in 68 games, so he still logged over a point per in the regular season. Howe was also the team captain this year, so he’s another player listed who exemplifies leadership qualities, and it’s always an added bonus for NHL organizations.
Best yet, Howe has an early birthday, so he will be eligible to make the leap into the AHL for the 2025-26 season, while most prospects in the CHL leagues will be waiting two years before entering the pro ranks. Howe has an incredible blend of productivity, experience, and leadership qualities, and in time, he will also possess pro-ready size.
No, his numbers may not be as eye-popping as some of the other forward prospects listed, but we can’t base everything on statistics. You can argue that nobody has better intangibles in this group of five forwards than Howe and such intangibles may take a player further.
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(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)