The St. Louis Blues own three first-round picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. The organization will pick 11th and 15th overall, and their final pick will be determined by where the Colorado Avalanche finish in the final standings. As such, the Blues will be busy in the first round. Their first order of business is, who do they draft with the 11th pick? They have options, and three stand out.
Oscar Hemming (Boston College)
Oscar Hemming is a high-upside winger with size, a reach that can shake off defenders, and who will take shots from the slot. While the Blues have several promising young forwards (three of whom saw NHL time last season), Hemming offers a nice combination of physicality and finishing ability that could eventually make him a legitimate top-six NHL winger.
One of the biggest reasons Hemming makes sense for the Blues is his shot. He owns one of the more dangerous releases in this draft class. His one-timer is an asset on the power play. Hemming would provide the game-breaking shooting talent the Blues have enjoyed in past seasons from Jordan Kyrou and hope to enjoy from players like Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky.
His frame also aligns with what the Blues continue to value organizationally. Hemming has the size and strength to play through contact, win puck battles, and handle the physical demands of NHL hockey. He is not simply a perimeter scorer; he shows a willingness to attack dangerous areas of the ice and compete along the boards. A player currently in the NHL who has a similar style to Hemming is Tage Thompson, whom the Blues drafted in 2016.
It is worth noting that Hemming may not be the safest pick, but the Blues are in a position to take a risk. Their NHL roster and prospect pool include talented, offensive-minded forwards. Hemming offers the type of ceiling that could produce a 30-plus goal player.
Ethan Belchetz (Ontario Hockey League)
Ethan Belchetz would be a fascinating selection for the Blues. The 18-year-old forward got on scouts’ radars after scoring 46 goals and 84 points in 34 games for the Oakville Rangers U16 AAA squad during the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, he has scored 51 goals in two seasons since joining the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Similar to Hemming, Belchetz offers the kind of upside that helps change the dynamic of the Blues’ offense.
Perhaps the biggest appeal of Belchetz’s game is his multi-skilled offensive approach. Due to his size, he can get in front of the net and score the dirty goals. However, he is a strong skater and can carry the puck from one end of the ice to the other. He also has the ability to simply fire a wrist shot. Simply put, he is a threat anywhere in the offensive zone.
Unfortunately, Belchetz suffered a broken clavicle, ending his OHL season. Any injuries of that magnitude raise questions regarding whether said player can return to form. However, there is a strong track record of players overcoming broken clavicles, with the latest being Matthew Schaefer.
If I had to choose an NHL player to compare Belchetz to, I would actually choose two: Brady Tkachuk and Jamie Benn. Like Tkachuk, Belchetz parks himself in front of the net and creates scoring chances there. Like Benn, Belchetz has a dangerous wrist shot and can carry the puck effectively. Belchetz seems to be the best of what Tkachuk and Benn bring to the table.
Viggo Bjorck (Swedish Hockey League)
Viggo Bjorck would be an intriguing selection for the Blues. He offers the type of offensive upside and hockey intelligence. His strongest asset is his playmaking ability. He anticipates plays before they develop and has the vision to create scoring chances in tight spaces. He is also a two-way forward, serving as an asset on both the penalty kill and the power play.
One thing Bjorck is often criticized for is his size. Yes, Bjorck is small for an NHL player at just 5-foot-10. However, what he lacks in size he makes up for in his abilities on the ice. He will not be a Belchetz in terms of parking himself in front of the net for the dirty goal, but he will create chances, using his vision to identify the best option. Many are already noticing Bjorck’s abilities despite his size, such as Tony Ferrari from The Hockey News:
“Bjorck is an undersized center who has the work rate, skill and pace to his game to actually stick down the middle despite his size. He’s been one of the most impressive players to watch since late December, and he is proving doubters wrong with each passing day.”
Similar to Belchetz, I would choose two players to compare Bjorck to. Bjorck’s playmaking ability and vision are similar to Nick Suzuki, who just posted a 101-point season. When it comes to players who are smaller but still contribute offensively, Marco Rossi stands out as a fair comparison.
Bjork could be considered a high-upside project for the team that drafts him. Given the Blues’ roster and prospect pool, they could afford to take a chance on this project. They took a chance on the Logan Mailloux project this past season, and they are already seeing positive results. If given the time to develop properly, Bjorck could become one of the steals of the draft.
Who Should the Blues Prioritize?
All three players intrigue me for their own reasons. Each player poses its own risks, which, at the end of the day, is true for any draft pick. There is no sure thing.
I think Belchetz should be first on the team’s radar at the draft. His offensive abilities and willingness to park himself in front of the net for the dirty goal are something the Blues will need. When I watch Belchetz, I think of former Blues like Keith Tkachuk, David Backes, Pat Maroon, and Brayden Schenn. Players who used their bodies to make plays in the offensive zone.
If Belchetz is off the board, the Blues should shift their attention to Bjorck. They should not let size fool them. Give him the time to develop, and he will be an asset in the NHL. The team already has enough talent; they can afford to take on a project.
If all else fails, Hemming is a nice consolation prize. His combination of forechecking and scoring ability will create many chances in the offensive zone. If he is who the Blues “settle” for, there will be some happy faces in the draft room.
Take Note of This…
Many Blues fans were understandably disappointed the team did not end up with a higher pick. Some feel the team’s late playoff push was a waste, as it cost them a higher pick, and they did not even make the playoffs.
What we have looked at today shows there is still great talent available at the 11th pick. No, Gavin McKenna will not be available, but there is still a lot to be excited about. Furthermore, the Blues managed to pick up Dvorsky with the 10th pick in 2023, and that is looking good so far.
If we go back even further, we will see that the Blues have gotten a lot of good players with picks later than 11. It is tempting to want the shiny, new toy, but it is important to understand that there is talent available for the picking.
Trust the process. Trust the front office. Be excited about the new talent coming to the Blues.
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