The St. Louis Blues hold the 19th pick, and there’s a good chance someone projected to go in the top 10 could fall to them. But, what if all the best players on Doug Armstrong’s big board are taken on Friday night? Then what?
Hey, there’s plenty of talent slated to go later in the first round, so a potential ‘reach’ wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. Not if Armstrong took a chance on one of the five players listed below.
Malcolm Spence, LW/Erie
Oh yes, a teammate of a potential No. 1 pick here. Malcolm Spence may be the “other” first-round prospect from Erie, but don’t underestimate one of the draft’s better playmakers. Spence has ideal size, at 6’2, 201 lbs, and he boasts a unique blend of goal-scoring and playmaking.
He’s more of a playmaker right now, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Spence morphed into a 50-50 player when he attends the University of Michigan. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing Doug Armstrong reach for him.
Bill Zonnon, LW/Rouyn-Noranda
Good size at 6’2, 190 lbs, an older prospect with an October 2006 birthday, and one who’s become a feared playmaker in the QMJHL. And while the Blues have several of them moving up through the rankings, Zonnon can come in and easily transform into the best of the next in line.
He’s also seen steady improvements since he debuted in the QMJHL back in 2022-23. There was no massive jump in production after a couple of lean seasons. Just steady growth. Another reason I like him a lot at No. 19.
Cameron Schmidt, RW/Vancouver
Cameron Schmidt is one of those players who will give opponents headaches, regardless of where he’s playing. Projected to be the 32nd pick per Tankathon as of Thursday, Schmidt’s 5’7, 157-lb frame will scare teams off, but his production and agility are just off the charts.
And hey, an undersized youngster just won the Calder Trophy, if I remember it right. So I wouldn’t count out Cameron Schmidt if I were any of the 32 general managers. Plus, he was a 40-goal scorer in 2024-25 for the Vancouver Giants. Don’t count him out.
Haoxi Wang, D/King
While I’m sensing a forward in Round 1, I wanted to include one blueliner whose size foreshadows some crushing blows when he reaches the NHL at some point this decade. Haoxi Wang’s already clocking in at 6’6, and 209 lbs, massive for someone who won’t turn 18 until July 27th.
Imagine what he can do with another 15-20 pounds of muscle, in which he’ll put on more strength in the process. While Wang won’t score many goals or even produce offensively, he doesn’t need to. He’s your ideal defensive defenseman.
Nathan Behm, W/Kamloops
I’m a huge fan of players who can play off-wing, and Nathan Behm’s got that skill. He’s got the size to grow into a power forward, like a few players on this list, if he puts on a couple more inches and about 20 more pounds of muscle, currently clocking in at 6’2, 198 lbs.
And, he’s at least a point per game, player, something he proved last season when he put up 66 points and 31 goals in 59 games. While Tankathon has him dropping to 54th overall to Calgary in their Thursday mock draft, I wouldn’t be disappointed in the slightest if Behm ended up in the system.
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