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Full list of NHL Organizational Rankings
St. Louis Blues Top 10 Prospects
1. Vladimir Tarasenko, Right Wing
2. Jaden Schwartz, Left Wing
3. Ty Rattie, Right Wing
4. Cade Fairchild, Defense
5. Philip McRae, Center
6. Jordan Schmaltz, Defense
7. Jake Allen, Goaltender
8. Dmitrij Jaskin, Right Wing
9. Joel Edmunson, Defense
10.Jani Hakanpaa, Defense
Organizational Ranking: 19th
System Overview: The Blues have a pretty top-heavy system, with an elite prospect in Vladimir Tarasenko and two very good ones in Jaden Schwartz and Ty Rattie. While they have talent after that, those prospects tend to have question marks, and the quality certainly falls off after that top tier.
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1. Vladimir Tarasenko, Right Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 1st
Date of birth: 12/13/1991
Age: 20
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 201
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 54 GP, 23 G, 47 P, 16:44 ATOI (Sibir/SKA-KHL)
Acquired: First round, 16th overall in 2010 by St. Louis
The Good: Tarasenko was a KHL All-Star this year and at times either led or was near the league lead in scoring. He's a very skilled player with well above-average puck skills, good instincts, an elite shot, a good first few steps, and a great two-way work ethic. Tarasenko contributes to the game in so many ways: he can dangle through players, fight off checks and power to the net, snipe a goal from mid distance, or be a good penalty killer blocking shots and forcing takeaways. He could step into the NHL next year as an above-average regular.
The Bad: Tarasenko is slightly undersized and his top speed could be a little better. Other than that he has no real glaring weakness.
Projection: He could be an All-Star winger.
2. Jaden Schwartz, Left Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 2nd
Date of birth: 06/25/1992
Age: 20
Height:5'10''
Weight: 179
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 30 GP, 15 G, 41 P, (Colorado College-WCHA)
Acquired: First round, 14th overall in 2010 by St. Louis
The Good: Schwartz is a tremendous puck possession talent with a very high level of skill. He's a well above-average if not elite thinker who regularly completes high-end passes, makes very quick decisions, and shows a great level of creativity. Schwartz's puck skills are along the same lines, as he's a pretty coordinated player who can make defenders miss with regularity. He's a pretty shifty player with great agility and edgework.
The Bad: Schwartz's size is his clear weakness, as he needs to bulk up, and even when he does, he will probably still be a fringe physical player. His top gear needs work, too, as it's barely average and below-average for a player his size.
Projection: He could be a top line winger.
3. Ty Rattie, Right Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 4th
Date of birth: 02/05/1993
Age: 19
Height:6'0''
Weight: 176
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 69 GP, 57 G, 121 P, (Portland-WHL)
Acquired: Second round, 32nd overall in 2011 by St. Louis
The Good: Rattie is a pretty good all-around offensive player. He's a top-end puck-handler with a comparable level of offensive instincts. One NHL scout describes his hockey sense as "very impressive"; Rattie makes the right plays with the puck. He's also a great shooter who can score from way out with a hard, accurate shot. He's an average skater, maybe flashing a degree higher.
The Bad: Rattie needs to bulk up a lot and his overall physical game is just okay. His defense needs a fair amount of work, too. Some scouts differ from me on this, but I feel he tries to do too much offensively, forcing plays.
Projection: He could be a great second line winger.
4. Cade Fairchild, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: Unranked
Date of birth: 01/15/1989
Age: 23
Height:5'11''
Weight: 190
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 68 GP, 8 G, 34 P, (Peoria-AHL)
Acquired: Fourth round, 96th overall in 2007 by St. Louis
The Good: Fairchild is the rare small player who played better in the AHL than in college, having a great rookie pro season and being named an AHL All-Star. He's a pretty good thinker who gets regular praise from scouts for his vision and ability to process the game quickly and effectively. Fairchild can QB a power play and make plays as a puck-mover, but he makes good defensive reads, too, is a fine stick-checker, and tends to always be in position.
The Bad: Fairchild's size is an issue. While one scout says his defense is fine without a physical presence, it certainly doesn't help his cause. His skating is average and tick below average for a small player.
Projection: He could be a #4 defenseman.
5. Philip McRae, Center
2010-11 Ranking: Unranked
Date of birth: 03/15/1990
Age: 22
Height:6'3''
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Statistics:71 GP, 23 G, 39 P, (Peoria-AHL)
Acquired: Second round, 32nd overall in 2008 by St. Louis
The Good: McRae is a toolsy player with skill and size. He's an above-average puck-handler who impresses scouts with his creativity and ability to generate chances through his individual efforts. He has a solid power game and shows fine defensive value. McRae flashes good offensive hockey sense as well.
The Bad: McRae has had some bumps as a pro. His decision-making needs work, as he's had trouble with the speed of the pro game. He still needs to bulk up, and his skating is a notable weakness as well.
Projection: He has top-six skill, but is tracking currently as a third line forward.
6. Jordan Schmaltz, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: N/A
Date of birth: 10/08/1993
Age: 18
Height:6'2''
Weight: 185
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 46 GP, 7 G, 35 P, (Green Bay-USHL)
Acquired: First round, 25th overall in 2012 by St. Louis
The Good: Schmaltz had his second straight season of being named to the USHL first all-star team. He's a plus puck-mover with great poise bringing the puck out of his zone and when being pressured. His passes are always smooth and on the mark. Schmaltz also shows solid hands and good work controlling a power play. He's an average skater who can move at a fine level even despite a technique that could use some cleaning up.
The Bad: Schmaltz needs to bulk up a lot as he's a bit of a string bean. His defense is below average and his decision-making is suspect in both ends, as he will at times be the victim of a poor turnover or a bad read.
Projection: He has top-four potential, but looks like a long-term project.
7. Jake Allen, Goaltender
2010-11 Ranking: 8th
Date of birth: 08/07/1990
Age: 21
Height:6'2''
Weight: 190
Catches: Left
Statistics: 38 GP, .915 SV% (Peoria-AHL)
Acquired: Second round, 34th overall in 2008 by St. Louis
The Good: Allen is a pretty advanced goalie from a technical standpoint—he consistently squares up pucks, has good technique with his stances, and covers the net well. He moves around with effectiveness, with strong legs and above-average athleticism. He's a pretty competitive goalie who makes good efforts on the second save and has a good mental focus.
The Bad: Allen lacks the standout skills in net to take his game to the next level. His rebound control could be a little better. At times, he will shrink into his net and give shooters a little too much room to work with.
Projection: He could be an okay starting goalie.
8. Dmitrij Jaskin, Right Wing
2010-11 Ranking: 3rd
Date of birth: 03/23/1993
Age: 19
Height:6'2''
Weight: 198
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 30 GP, 1 G, 2 P, (Slavia Praha-Czech Extraliga)
Acquired: Second round, 41st overall in 2011 by St. Louis
The Good: Jaskin is an above-average if not a top-end physical player with a pretty developed frame and a good willingness to bang bodies who drives the net. He has a desirable work ethic and tends to bring a good energy level on each shift. He has a solid skill level, and despite his numbers this year, he has some offensive upside to him and can find his teammates.
The Bad: Jaskin's skating could still use some work, as he has a poor top gear and first few steps. His offense really tailed off this season in the Czech Republic although some scouts have suggested that the quality of his team plays into that.
Projection: He could be a third line winger.
9. Joel Edmunson, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: 6th
Date of birth: 06/28/1993
Age: 19
Height:6'4''
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Statistics: 56 GP, 4 G, 23 P, (Moose Jaw-WHL)
Acquired: Second round, 46th overall in 2012 by St. Louis
The Good: Edmunson is a big, strong defender who can be an effective player in his own end due to his reach, physicality, and defensive reads. He's tough to play against and has a bit of an edge to his game. Edmunson makes a fine first pass, makes good decisions with the puck, and has a big shot from the point.
The Bad: His skating is fine for his size, but on a neutral scale I'd say he's a little bit slow still. His offensive upside isn't all that desirable, either.
Projection: He could be a #4 or #5 defenseman.
10. Jani Hakanpaa, Defense
2010-11 Ranking: Unranked
Date of birth: 03/31/1992
Age: 20
Height:6'6''
Weight: 218
Shoots: Right
Statistics: 41 GP, 5 G, 12 P, 15:45 ATOI (Blues-SM-Liiga)
Acquired: Fourth round, 104th overall in 2010 by St. Louis
The Good: Hakanpaa is a huge physical specimen. Drafted at 6'3'', he now stands around 6'6'' and is a great physical player who likes to use his frame to lay crushing hits. He's a fine defensive player who closes gaps well with his reach and breaks up a lot of plays. He moves the puck at a decent level, solid for a bigger man.
The Bad: Hakanpaa is still a bit of a lumbering skater who was pretty fringe in that area when drafted and arguably now he's now below average. He isn't much of an offensive player, either. Hakanpaa's decisions could use some improvement as well.
Projection: He could be a good third pairing defenseman.
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The Next Five
11. Yannick Veilleux, Left Wing: Veilleux is a hard working winger who is pretty physical, and has above-average hockey sense and some skill.
12. Teemu Eronen, Defense: Eronen isn't a flashy player and he's a little small, but he's very smart and the kind of player which one scout says, "The more you watch him, the more you love him."
13. Cody Beach, Right Wing: Beach is an edgy physical player with some skill and he's good in the cycle game. He projects as a bottom-six forward.
14. Sebastian Wannstrom, Right Wing: Wannstrom is a very smart, well-rounded player who can contribute somewhat in every aspect of the game.
15. Ryan Tesnik, Left Wing: Tesnik is a high-end skater who plays with a lot of energy. He's not a scoring line talent or anything, but can make some plays with the puck.
The Sleeper: Sam Kurker, Right Wing
Kurker is a great skater with a big body and the talent to make plays with the puck, but inconsistency dogged him this past season. He's a long-term project, but one with the talent to shine.
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St. Louis Blues Organizational Top 10
Players 22 or under as of 09/15/2012 or still considered a prospect as defined here.
1. Alex Pietrangelo, Defense
2.Vladimir Tarasenko, Right Wing
3. Jaden Schwartz, Left Wing
4. Ty Rattie, Right Wing
5. Ian Cole, Defense
6. Evgeny Grachev, Center
7. Cade Fairchild, Defense
8. Philip McRae, Center
9. Jordan Schmaltz, Defense
10. Jake Allen, Goaltender
Pietrangelo has emerged as one of the top defensemen in the game, so he was an easy call for number one. Ian Cole isn't flashy, but plays the body well, makes a good first pass, and projects to have solid value in his own end. Grachev has underwhelmed as a pro, but he's steadily coming along. He has a plus physical game and good skill but still isn't all that accustomed to the pro tempo.
Corey Pronman is an author of Hockey Prospectus.
You can contact Corey by clicking here or click here to see Corey's other articles.
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