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Written June 24th 2025
This article is in honor of my childhood dog Bobo, who we sadly lost while writing this.
Abstract:
Abstract:
For this article, I’ll be examining the top 5 Blues draft choices based on what I think the Blues will realistically do with the nineteenth pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. I would be okay with the Blues drafting any of these 5, but number one on this list is what I presume to be Army’s preference. Although several factors will be considered, here are the most important ones to me.
1: Positional Need (RHD, Center, Right-handed forwards)
- The RHD hole is well discussed and is a major reason why the Blues went with Adam Jiricek in the 2024 NHL draft. The center hole is also something that is becoming an issue, as most of the Blues' drafted centers are beginning to transition towards becoming wingers instead. The right-handed shot is something I haven’t seen discussed too often. In the Blues system, only 3 main forwards have this quality: Snuggerud, Jecho, and Peterson.
2: Playing Style
- The Blues have been very clear that they want players who can play a two-way game. Big key for some of these picks.
3: Competition/Background
- Recent Blues selections have shown the team's preference for players who have played in a European or NCAA system and have some international experience. This is not a hill that won’t be breached, as Zach Bolduc played for Quebec, but it’s been the theme for the past few years. Not many guys in this draft are from the NCAA or Europe so had to back track from this one.
4: Size
- This seems to be a major sticking point for the Blues, who drafted one of the largest classes in the league last season and even selected the largest prospect (Colin Ralph) early in the second round. The Blues have also not selected a first-rounder smaller than 5’11’’ since Jaden Schwartz in 2010. For this reason, guys like Cole Reschny, Ben Kindel, and Cameron Schmidt might not be guys the Blues will look towards.
5: Leadership Qualities
- The Blues do seem to like to draft forwards with leadership roles, especially on their national teams. Guys like Stenberg and Dvorsky both fall under this umbrella.
One last little note. There are, of course, guys like Radim Mrtka who are a perfect fit for the Blues, but won’t be listed here because there is little chance of them being available at 19.
Honorable Mention – Milton Gastrin
Honorable Mention – Milton Gastrin
He has a lot of the characteristics the Blues want like type of play, leadership ability, etc. However, I just think he’s projected too late for the Blues to take him here at 19. If they trade back, though, I could see Gastrin as a possibility.
5: Malcolm Spence (LW)
5: Malcolm Spence (LW)
Age – 18 (Sep 22) / Weight – 201lbs / Height 6’2’’
Nationality – Canadian
Current Team – University of Michigan (NCAA)
Overview:
Start this list off with a guy who checks a lot of the boxes. He’s a three-year OHL veteran at this point and has stayed very healthy throughout his career with the Erie Otters, never playing fewer than 64 games in a season. He was given the “A” by Erie in his second season and was also given the “A” by Canada’s U18 WJC side in the 23/24 contest. No international participation for Spence this season. However, he had a pretty good regular season for the Otters, though scoring 32 goals and 41 assists in 65 games. He was also a point-per-game guy in the playoffs, recording 9 points in 9 games. This was his last season with the Erie Otters, though, as Spence has already committed to the University of Michigan.
In terms of playing style, Spence is the definition of a two-way forward. He has a great motor and is a checking machine. Spence also plays on both the power play and the PK, making him extremely versatile. Has a decent amount of physicality, too, but his key attribute is stealing pucks. He has an extreme amount of positioning skills, especially for a guy his age. Not a burner by any means, but has enough speed to get the job done. His offensive skill set is the thing that will probably cap his ceiling, as numerous guys in this pick range will be better in that capacity.
RTTN Projections – Middle Six Forward
RTTN Comparisons – Mark Stone, Chris Krieder, Nino Niederreiter.
Reason I Like This Pick:
If we are just looking at mid-first-rounders who fit the bill for what Doug Armstrong wants, Spence is the guy. He is a very safe pick, a direction the Blues went last year when drafting Adam Jiricek. The reason why he is this low, though, is his position. The Blues have an overflow of LW, especially with Otto Stenberg now fully transitioning to a LW. This is not a pick I would be mad about, and in fact, I would be very happy if the Blues go Spence. However, I just don’t think he checks all the boxes like some of the other guys on this list, which is why Spence lands at 5.
4: Jack Nesbitt (C)
4: Jack Nesbitt (C)
Age – 18 (Jan 12) / Weight – 183lbs / Height – 6’4’’
Nationality – Canadian
Current Team – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Overview:
Nesbitt is a second-year CHLer with the Windsor Spitfires, and let's just say year one did not go so well. In 58 games, he only had 18 points. He made some massive improvements in year two. In the 24/25 campaign, Nesbitt put up roughly a point per game season, getting 25 goals and 39 assists in 65 games. +/- also drastically improved this season, going from -32 in year 1 to +12 this year. The playoffs were very similar, with 10 points in 12 games, but only one of those points was a goal. Nesbitt also participated in the WJC18 with Canada this season, in which he had 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 games. Other things to note stat-wise will be his special teams numbers, getting 6 goals on the power play this season and 2 shorthanded. Plans are currently for Nesbitt to be playing with Windsor once again next season.
Play style, combine a power forward with an offensive threat, and you get Jack Nesbitt. Defensively, he has a ton of hockey IQ and has very strong spatial awareness. Offensively, numbers improved a lot this season, and that was mainly thanks to Nesbitt getting into the correct spots. According to McKeen hockey, Nesbitt averaged 2.5 grade A chances per 60 minutes last season. Although his skating lacks explosiveness, he does have pretty good speed for a big man. The biggest question will be if he can build up his frame.
RTTN Projection – Middle Six Power Forward
RTTN Comparison – Alex Wennberg with a touch of Sam Bennett
Why I Like This Pick:
The Blues' big goal last year was size. If that remains the goal this season, Nesbitt is probably the pick. Although I like Spence over Nesbitt, Nesbitt does play Center and does a decent job taking over a thousand draws last season and winning roughly 51.5% of them. I think there are better centers out there, but Nesbitt does have a lot of potential, which is why I don’t mind this pick.
3: Braeden Cootes (C/W)
3: Braeden Cootes (C/W)
Age – 18 (Feb 9) / Weight – 183lbs / Height – 6’0’’
Nationality – Canadian
Current Team – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Overview:
Cootes is another guy who has only played two full seasons in the CHL. Fairly good season, year one, getting about a half a point per game. I want to put more focus, though, on this year, as he really proved to be capable of great things. Cootes was named captain of Seattle at the beginning of this season, which made him the youngest captain in the WHL. Combine that with his 26 goals (Seattle’s leader in that department), and you have a very good prospect here. 37 assists to go on top of that makes him a point-per-game player. Pretty good playoffs as well, getting 2 goals and 6 assists during 6 games. His main shining light comes from the WJC18. He was extremely impressive, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists in 12 games. Sounds like Seattle’s captain will spend one more year with the team in 25/26.
Cootes has a lot of the traits I’ve talked about earlier. He’s a great forechecker and seems to have an amazing ability to shove opposing players into the boards. He is the true definition of a two-way forward. He has potential on the offensive side; we just haven’t fully seen it consistently yet. This is obvious when you see how little he plays on the power play. His aspirations of being a center also scare me. I got a feeling that when this is all said and done, he will pull an Otto Stenberg and fully transition to the wing. Especially if that below 50% faceoff win percentage continues like it did this season.
RTTN Projections – 3rd Line C, Middle Six Winger
RTTN Comparison – Barrett Hayton, but a little bit of Brayden Schenn.
Why I Like This Pick:
When I look at Cootes, I feel like he plays very similarly to Nesbitt and has better skills than Nesbitt. I also love Cootes' leadership and international performances (something the Blues have recently been taking into consideration). I just don’t think he has what it takes to be a center in the NHL. Nevertheless, if the Blues think they can teach Cootes to be a center, then he will have a better chance at being a more dominant player compared to Nesbitt or Spence.
2: Cole Reschny (F)
2: Cole Reschny (F)
Age – 18 (Jun 2) / Weight – 187lbs / Height – 5’10’’
Nationality – Canadian
Current Team – University of North Dakota
Overview:
Out of all the guys I will be talking about, Reschny has probably had the best CHL career. His first full season, Reschny finished around a point per game, scoring 21 goals and getting 38 assists in 61 appearances. This only improved in 2024/25. Reschny would finish 10th in the WHL for points at 92, mainly thanks to his playmaking skills, going from 38 assists in 23/24 to 66 this season. This high point total also mainly came from 5 on 5 (roughly 75% of points), making it even more impressive. In terms of playoff performances, Reschny has everyone on this list beat. In 11 games, he had 25 points (9 goals and 16 assists). All this while wearing the “A” for Victoria. Internationally also a great year. Reschny scored 5 goals and garnered 3 assists in 5 games. Next year, he heads off to college and goes to TJ Oshie’s alma mater, the University of North Dakota.
Simply put, Reschny will be the best two-way center out of the 4 guys we have talked about. He is by far the best playmaker and has excellent vision. His offense has also consistently been there, which is something a lot of mid-1st-rounders this year are lacking. Reschny work ethic is incredible defensively, and he plays on both special teams. He has one of the best face-off percentages in the WHL, taking almost 1300 draws and winning roughly 56.5% of them. The thing with Reschny will always be the size. Putting it nicely, he loses a lot of puck battles on the boards. His skating is also not as strong when you compare it to guys like Cootes.
RTTN Projection - Middle Six C with top six potential
RTTN Comparisons – Yanni Gourde
Why I Like This Pick:
In a recent interview, Reschny talked about how he tries to play like Brayden Schenn and Ryan O’Reilly, and as a Blues fan, you have to love that. The O’Reilly comparisons have even been made for the last couple of years, which is good to see. The big thing with Reschny is the size. This would be the first time that the Blues would select someone smaller than 5’11’’ in the first round since Jaden Schwartz in 2009. However, we should really see this as a benefit, as if Reschny were taller, he would probably be a top ten pick and not a mid-rounder. My theory is this: you have drafted size for so many years you have the ability to take a smaller guy here. Will Army do it, though? I don’t know.
1: Logan Hensler (RHD)
1: Logan Hensler (RHD)
Age – 18 (Oct 14) / Weight – 196 lbs / Height – 6’2’’
Nationality – American
Current Team – Wisconsin Badgers
Overview:
Being the only American, Hensler took a much different path compared to the Canadians. He played his juniors with the US developmental squad, having a fairly decent season before transitioning over to the NCAA. Specifically, Hensler transitioned to the University of Wisconsin, which played in probably the hardest conference in hockey last year, the Big Ten. Hensler would get 12 points in 32 contests with the Badgers. The biggest difference between Hensler and all the other prospects discussed (besides position) is his international experience, as Hensler would play with the gold medal-winning US side in the WJCU20s. Hensler appears to be staying put at the University of Wisconsin for another season.
Probably the biggest strength of Hensler's game is his skating, something that has become increasingly important for defenders as NHL forwards become more explosive. Although not a huge part of his game, Hensler's passing is a plus. Size is pretty average for a defender. The biggest improvement I would like to see is physicality and decision making, as although a good passer, Hensler makes some questionable calls once in a while.
RTTN Projection – Top Four Defender. Used on PK. Possibly PP2.
RTTN Comparison – Charlie McAvoy.
Why I like this pick:
This pick might be the least flashy pick of them all and would be the third straight defenseman the Blues will have selected in the third round. However, RHD is by far the biggest hole on the prospect sheet, with the only true NHL prospect being Adam Jiricek, who has questions mainly relating to health. Hensler is a safe pick, and that seems to be the Blues' MO the past couple of drafts. Will I be super thrilled if this is the direction the Blues go on draft night? Probably not. But the Blues technically have already given Wisconsin’s top RHD Anthony Kehrer an AHL contract, who says that the Blues won't draft Wisconsin’s second line RHD?
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