The St. Louis Blues were rarely heard from during the 2015 NHL Draft. The team made a total of six selections over the weekend, but fans who were expecting the club to make a major trade or acquire a first-round pick were left disappointed. How did the hockey media grade the Blues’ effort during the draft? Not too well.
Sports Illustrated gave the Blues a “D” grade.
With just one pick in the first three rounds, the Blues were left to pick from necks and gizzards by the time their turn at the podium came. Vince Dunn (56) is an undersized skilled defender with great wheels and a high hockey IQ. He projects as a second-pair/power play type. Keep an eye on Luke Opilka (146). St. Louis has had luck drafting local goalies in the past.
The “D” grade here was earned due to the Blues previously dealing away their first-round pick and ultimately failing to jump back into the top round. That’s not totally fair, but the assessment does point out some valid concerns with Vince Dunn. The defenseman’s skills may fit the organization’s current mold, but it’ll be interesting to see how his specific assets fit in down the road.
Bleacher Report gave the Blues a “C” grade.
The Blues had six picks, led by defender Vince Dunn. Dunn is a sublime talent and the perfect puck-moving defender for the modern game. Adam Musil has substantial skills but didn’t deliver a strong offensive season.
Again, not the most thorough or lengthy analysis, but the overall grade is close to what I’d give the team. The Blues did an OK job at the draft, especially considering what they were working with as far as draft picks are considered.
Overall, I’d give the Blues a C-. Their picks were fine – nothing too exciting but also nothing too egregious – but the bigger issue is that the Blues were mostly quiet during a draft which featured some of the most exciting depth in recent memory. The first round was loaded with skill and the Blues missed out. That’s not to say the team should have given up an arm and a leg to get a first-round selection, but it is a slam against their Ryan Miller trade which saw the Blues give Buffalo their top pick.
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