The St. Louis Blues could run into an interesting situation with the 11th, 15th, and 29th pick in the upcoming NHL draft in a few weeks. It is no secret that this organization needs to add some surplus to a few position groups, but could they also be looking at who is just the best available on the board.
Let's argue about it.
Organizational needs
The Blues need to add some centers and continue to build the defensive core with this draft. That can be done with the 11th and 15th pick, and the 29th pick can reinforce one of those spots.
Robert Thomas is not going anywhere. Dalibor Dvorsky and Pius Suter are going to be duking it out for the third-line and fourth-line center spots, leaving the 2C open. The 11th pick is not going to be pushed into that kind of responsibility right away, but eventually.
On the defensive side, Colton Parayko and Cam Fowler are on their last legs. Both in terms of age and with how horrific last season was, both are backed up against the wall and nearly out the door. It is to be expected that at least one of them might be moved this summer, opening up a roster spot for Adam Jiricek.
The 15th pick could be used to add depth to the minors there, and in a few years, that could be the next name in the Blues' defensive core group.
Best available at that time?
Blues General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong can draft just like that, position for position. But, what if one of the top wingers slides a few spots and are prime for the taking? What order do the Blues go, center or defenseman?
This is where it gets tricky, as there is no right answer. Ethan Belchetz is a valid prospect, and a winger that is a perfect achetype for the Blues rough-and-tough legacy. But, he does not fit what the organization needs. So, what do you do?
Going best available might be the better course of action, despite it not helping round out the lineup sheet.
