A month ago, we looked at what the experts were saying about the St. Louis Blues' draft position and who they might take there. With the draft drawing ever closer, we're back again to see how things have changed, if at all. Let's get into it!
The Athletic - Staff Mock: Logan Hensler, RHD, Wisconsin
This mock draft was written up by the beat writers for each NHL team, and Jeremy Rutherford had the Blues taking Hensler. In his blurb, he debated between Hensler and Cam Reid--and even threw a nod at goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen--but ultimately chose an intriguing right-shot defenseman with size in Hensler.
The Athletic - Corey Pronman: Lynden Lakovic, LW, Moose Jaw
Pronman picked Lakovic in his previous mock draft, and stuck to his guns in this one. Lakovic would certainly bring a different element to the Blues' forward group. He has a bigger frame at six foor, four inches tall, which is something that is missing on this team.
The Athletic - Scott Wheeler: Cole Reschny, C, Victoria
In this mock, Reschny reaches the Blues at 19th overall--though don't expect it to play out that way on draft day. Reschny has been rising on the boards of late, and could go in the early teens. The snag? He's small--under 5-foot-11--but he can play.
NHL.com - Adam Kimelman & Mike Morreale: Reschny (Kimelman) & Lankovic (Morreale)
Like Wheeler and Pronman, Kimelman and Morreale have mocked the same prospects to the Blues. Either would be a solid addition to the organization's prospect pool.
It seems some trends are starting to appear in the mock drafts, with many outlets projecting that the Blues will take a forward at 19th overall--though those forwards are about as different as can be. Lankovic is a 6-foot-4 winger, and Reschny's an undersized but skilled center, though he may be a wing at the professional level. Still, there's a chance the team breaks from expectation and picks one of the defensemen available: in The Athletic's mock, Rutherford selected Hensler, but Cam Reid or even Blake Fiddler could be the choice, depending how the board falls. Or, the Blues could go way off board and take a goaltender. We'll just have to wait until June 27 to find out!