Should Blues consider using their 1st-rounder on a goaltender?

It's always a risk taking a goaltender in the first round of the draft, but the Blues are in a unique position.
Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; Canada's goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen (1) makes a glove save against Finland during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Aug 2, 2024; Plymouth, MI, USA; Canada's goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen (1) makes a glove save against Finland during the first period of the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase at USA Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

The 2025 NHL Entry Draft is under a month away, and, with the Stanley Cup Final starting, a lot of fan bases will be turning their attention to the draft. For St. Louis Blues fans, this draft could be a bit of a bore, as they only have three picks: 19th overall in the first round, and then a fifth- and sixth-round pick. Of course, who knows if they even make those picks, as one or all could end up traded for more immediate help.

If they do make a selection at 19th overall, there will be a lot of prospects available that could solidify the Blues' pipeline and keep the team competitive for years to come. While the most likely pick is a skater, there's a case to be made for the lone goaltender that's projected to go in the first round: Joshua Ravensbergen.

Let's make one thing clear: Ravensbergen is not the typical goaltender that goes in the first round, especially in the teens (most draft rankings have him in the 20s and 30s). He's got size (6-foot-5) and is generally good at reading the play, but is all-around on the raw side; the tools are there, and the upside is enormous, but there's risk in taking a goaltender at 19th overall when more projectable prospects are available.

The Blues, however, do not have picks in the second, third, or fourth rounds of the draft--the places that most teams would draft a goaltender. They also have a solid prospect pool at every position but goaltender. In fact, their goaltending pipeline is quite weak: Joel Hofer is the heir-apparent to Jordan Binnington, but it's thin behind Hofer as Colten Ellis and Vadim Zherenko may never crack the NHL in an impactful way.

Goalies take a long time to develop, too, so adding a promising prospect in Ravensbergen this summer would shore up the position and align with when Hofer would likely be on the downswing of his career. This is a chance to take a big swing, though if the Blues were to seriously consider drafting Ravensbergen, there's a good chance they'd be able to trade back, pick up an extra asset, and still get him. We'll have to see what they decide on draft day, but picking a goaltender over another forward or defenseman could end up being the right choice.