Top St Louis Blues Defenseman Prospects Who Shined This Past Season
- Vanessa
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
The St. Louis Blues have a promising pool of defensive prospects, while they are heavy on the left side compared to the right. This issue is their main target for addressing with the upcoming draft and offseason trades, or signings. Left defense currently has a great outlook with potential top-line LD in Theo Lindstein and top 6 potential in Leo Lööf, Michael Buchinger, Colin Ralph, and Lukas Fischer.
For right defense, Adam Jiříček is currently projected as a top 4 defenseman, with William McIssac projected as a top 6. Johannesson looks to possibly make a case as a potential bottom pair or 7th defenseman, and McIssac is behind him in experience. This is where the Blues still need to focus their drafting and offseason efforts going forward. For now, we can examine how each of the prospects is progressing in terms of their development.
Koromyslov was mentioned in the article about Russian players, which you can read here!
Colin Ralph has committed to a transfer in the NCAA, and it is discussed here!
Theo Lindstein LD/RD - ELC signed
Theo Lindstein was the 3rd of 3 prospects drafted in the 2023 NHL Draft at 29th overall. This past season, he continued his stint in the SHL (Swedish Hockey League) with Brynäs IF, who play in Brynäs, Sweden, about two hours north of Stockholm. This past season, Brynäs IF was able to make it to the finals of the SHL playoffs. While unfortunately they did come up short, losing in 6 games, Lindstein was an essential part of their defense all season long and throughout the playoffs.
During his first 2 years in the SHL, he bounced in and out of the lineup as well as being sent down to play in the J18 and J20 leagues ( Swedish junior level leagues). Byrnäs during those years was on a steady decline, and Lindstein was badly utilized. After they were relegated to Hockeyallsvenskan after the 2022-2023 season, Lindstein was utilized more effectively, and he was instrumental in their championship run and qualification to return to the SHL directly after relegation.
He again proved his level of play against adults with more experience. He shined during the past season's playoffs in terms of point production, even with his team falling short of back-to-back championships, which is one of the hardest things to do in a relegation system. He is expected to be coming over to North America and the AHL/NHL this upcoming season, as it was spoiled by trainers for Byrnäs just after the playoffs ended.
Leo Lööf LD - ELC signed
Leo Lööf, in his 2nd season in the American Hockey League, was one of the more stabilizing defenseman for the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. After an average AHL rookie season scoring 7 points in 58 games, Loof continued to improve, doubling his assists to 17 in 63 games. While his penalty minutes did rise substantially, he was on the positive side in terms of his +/- stat. In the playoffs for the play-in round, he was held to no points scored and one two-minute penalty.
While he is not the flashiest of defenseman, Leo Lööf is still a heavy-hitting, blue-collar defensive defenseman who will be difficult to get around. As he mans the 2nd defensive line, he is treated as part of the Thunderbirds' shut-down pair. I will also mention that Loof is one player who will not back down from a fight if it breaks out; he will stick up for his teammates. Three separate fights happened last season, and you can view videos of them here.
Michael Buchinger LD - ELC signed
Michael Buchinger may have finished his Canadian Juniors career on a lower production note compared to his other 2 years, but he did step into a pretty role as an assistant captain. He helped to lead a somewhat decent final year before they were swept. In his rookie season with the Thunderbirds, he was a consistent part of the 3rd pair alongside Thunderbird defenseman Scott Harrington. While his first season of professional hockey was stellar and lights out, he was still a decent point producer.
Buchinger, to me, has only started to figure out his game at the professional level. He has shown that he can handle a full season in terms of the level of play. This next season for him will be the biggest test of how he comes along in terms of his development. I still expect him to be on the 3rd pair for next year, but I can also see Buchinger being used as part of a trade this draft or offseason to help the parent club with some of their needs.
Quinton Burns LD - ELC signed
Quinton Burns was a decent choice in the same draft that saw the Blues draft fellow defenseman Lindstein in the 1st round. Burns was taken in the 3rd round of that draft and was coming off a solid sophomore year in the OHL, posting about just above a point per game with 29 points in 54 games. The following year and this most recent season saw Burns continuing to trend upward with his point production.
The biggest takeaway from this last season would have to be not just nearly doubling his draft your in terms of points, but he also did this as the head captain and truly led by example. Quinton Burns will have graduated from the CHL and the Kingston Frontenacs with an impressive showing, so expect him to make his professional debut in either the AHL or ECHL.
Marc-Andre Gaudet LD - ELC signed
Marc-Andre Gaudet has not been able to showcase his skills at the AHL level so far in his professional career. He has posted great numbers in the ECHL, but still has not been able to translate his game to a higher level, which is slightly worrisome. Either Gaudet can put in the work this offseason, or he will be stuck in the ECHL for another year and potentially lower his standing in the depth chart for the Blues.
Lukas Fischer LD - ELC signed
Lucas Fischer was another prospect who was given a role as a leader of his junior team as Captain of the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. In terms of his play, it seemed to plateau slightly from the year before, but I would say overall he improved his game more so away from the puck and led as more of a vocal leader. Lukas Fischer is still eligible to play another season in the OHL for Sarnia as he only signed an Amateur tryout with the Thunderbirds for the rest of the 2024-2025 season, and he has not aged out yet.
Adam Jiříček RD - ELC signed, Slide eligible
Adam Jiříček was the biggest draft pick of the 2024 NHL Draft, going 16th overall, even though an injury ruined his chance at a full season. While the Blues still consider themselves lucky to have a very good Puck moving defenseman fall to where he did you still might want to be cautious with his injury history so far since the draft.
Since Jiříček will not be turning 19 until later this month, June 2025, he will be eligible to slide his contract one more year and play in the OHL. Hopefully, this final year for him will be one where the injury bug does not hinder him anymore.
Samuel Johannesson RD - ELC signed
Samuel Johannesson's first year playing in the AHL after playing the last 6 years in the SHL has not been a disappointment. While he took a chance leaving the SHL, he has shown that he can translate his game from the European ice size to the North American rinks. After this 1st season, he finished the year with 32 points in 66 games. While this year was on the lower end of the overall team's performance, it still is a bright spot as to what can happen next year. I would expect him to continue developing and adjusting quickly, the Thunderbirds should benefit, if not the Blues, if he can make a good enough impression.
Hunter Skinner RD - RFA this offseason
Hunter Skinner finally seems to have settled into his role with the Thunderbirds, and honestly, he has benefited from some good chemistry with linemate Leo Lööf. I would expect him to continue raising his stocks, and hopefully, he doesn't plateau.
Anton Malmstrom RD - RFA this offseason
Anton Malmstrom, unfortunately, was not been able to get out of the ECHL this past season except for during injury. He was decent for the Florida Everblades and hopefully, he can convince the coaching staff with the Thunderbirds that he deserves some time on the 3rd pair permanently in the AHL.
William McIssac RD/LD - Unsigned prospect (CHL eligible 1 more year, AHL eligible)
William McIssac is one of the few defensemen who has not been signed to an ELC with the Blues. Drafted this past year in the 5th round, McIssac is the newest of the defensemen who is the same player type as Leo Loof, playing a heavy, physical, and strictly defensive game. He made a great impression the year he was drafted, scoring 27 points in 67 games, which was definitely enough to catch the scouts of the Blues' attention.
This past season, he took on a larger role with the Spokane Chiefs, following suit with several other prospects in being named an assistant captain. While Spokane was not able to win the WHL championship, McIssac was still a very steady presence on the blue line for them through the regular season and postseason. He also continued his upward trend in point production, even with the added responsibilities as part of the leadership.
William will still be within the age requirements to continue his CHL career with Spokane for one more season, as he just turned 19, and he will not age out until the end of next season.
For what it is worth, this coming season I believe the picture to the right will very closly resemble where the current prospects will end up landing. There is a decent chance as well I could be comopletly off on some.
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