Dom Lunardo | April 21st, 2020
“You really don’t remember, was it something that he said? Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?”. What a team. Amazing moment for the St. Louis Blues during their 2019 Stanley Cup Triumph, the first cup in the franchise’s history. It’s been a long time coming for the Blues and their passionate fan base out in the Midwest, but it all came together in mesmerizing fashion during the 2018-19 campaign.
(Not) Singing the Blues
Before the halt of the NHL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blues were once again flying high, and seamlessly picked up right where they left off last June. With a 42-19-10 record, good for tops in the Western Conference, all indications pointed to another deep playoff run in the midwest. In addition to the current crop of superstars that include Brayden Schenn, Alex Pietrangelo, Ryan O’Reilly, and Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues also have some pretty interesting pieces in their development system. General manager Doug Armstrong and head coach Craig Berube are static with what they have filed in down in St. Louis. Without further ado, here are the top three prospects for the St. Louis Blues.
Number 3: Nikita Alexandrov, Center, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Russian-born centerman, Nikita Alexandrov gets the ball rolling at number three on our list. The Blues have themselves a real find in Alexandrov who is an intelligent two-way forward and a strong skater. During this past winter’s 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, Alexandrov posted two goals and six assists for eight points as team Russia lost in heart-breaking fashion to Canada in the Gold Medal game. At just 19 years of age, Alexandrov has a very promising career ahead of him. In three seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Alexandrov has posted 31, 64, and 51 points respectively, including two seasons with 20+ goals. Alexandrov is strong on pucks and has a real nose for the net. These traits as a player should place him in good stead when he reaches the NHL level on a full-time basis with the Blues.
Number 2: Scott Perunovich, Defenseman, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
At number two, is a defenseman Scott Perunovich, who won the 2020 Hobey Baker Award. This awarded annually to the top men’s ice-hockey player in the NCAA. Currently perfecting his craft with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich is a raw offensive-minded defenseman who gets around the ice extremely well. His ability to put up points at ease remains one of his most cherished assets. In 34 games with Minnesota-Duluth, Perunovich tallied six goals, 34 assists, and 40 points to go along with a (+18) rating. Not too shabby by any means for the Hibbing, Minnesota native. Perunovich moves the puck well and loves to jump into the rush to make plays in the final third of the rink. The Blues have been very pleased with his progress at the collegiate level, and hope his success will translate at the NHL platform.
Number 1: Klim Kostin, Left-Wing/Right-Wing, St. Louis Blues (NHL)/San Antonio Rampage (AHL)
Talented Russian forward, Klim Kostin sits atop the list as the number one prospect in St. Louis. His 6’3, 210-pound frame is his main attribute and a force to be reckoned with in all three zones. Kostin is a highly-skilled player with a long reach and powerful strides who loves to drive the net. The Blues are thrilled with his ability to accelerate from a standstill and produce offense almost effortlessly.
He captained Team Russia during last year’s IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships scoring three goals and seven points in seven games. This season saw Kostin get a small taste of life in the National Hockey League skating in four games with the blues. Besides, he also tallied 30 points in 48 games in San Antonio. The Blues see Kostin in their top-six as early as next years and are in awe of what he can do in the attacking third of the ice. The Blues got themselves a keeper in Klim Kostin.
Honorable Mentions: G Evan Fitzpatrick, RW Mathias Laferriere
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