Blues 2024-2025 Prospect Thread

[Beauterham]

Do you know how MI state’s defensive depth looks for next season? Think Ralph get a chance to play top 4? Top pair?

I guess they will play Ralph (LHD) on a shutdown pairing and Jugnauth (LHD) on a different pairing in a more offensive role. At the moment, without knowing the complete roster yet, they seem to be the two best defensemen.

 

[barriers]

Korotky to join SKA's junior team for their playoff run with the big club eliminated from KHL playoffs

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I guess they will play Ralph (LHD) on a shutdown pairing and Jugnauth (LHD) on a different pairing in a more offensive role. At the moment, without knowing the complete roster yet, they seem to be the two best defensemen.

Strbak is there too. He is rhd I wanted us to grab his draft year.

 

[AyeBah]

Do you know how MI state’s defensive depth looks for next season? Think Ralph get a chance to play top 4? Top pair?

I'm an MSU fan so I have decent insight. The post mentioning him being paired with Jugnauth as a nice offensive- defensive duo sounds accurate to me. Coach Nighty rolls all four lines and 3 D pairings, and Ralph is good enough to obviously play every game so he will get good ice time and also the PK1 role most likely. Strbak, Lukasevich, and other MSU d are all average or undersized so Ralph fits perfectly what we need: Big body play killing minute eater. Will be exciting to watch for me and I'll be able to report in depth as to how he does next year as I watch nearly every game.

 

[Beauterham]

Strbak is there too. He is rhd I wanted us to grab his draft year.

Michigan State got eliminated from the Frozen Four yesterday, I kind of expect him to sign with Buffalo. If he stays, however, he could be a perfect partner for Ralph.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Michigan State got eliminated from the Frozen Four yesterday, I kind of expect him to sign with Buffalo. If he stays, however, he could be a perfect partner for Ralph.

Michigan State got eliminated 11 days ago…lost in the 1st round.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Do you know how MI state’s defensive depth looks for next season? Think Ralph get a chance to play top 4? Top pair?

Others have already answered this but yeah, he should easily be top-4 there, likely top 2 to 3.

 

[DatDude44]

MSU is a fantastic spot for Ralph. Nightingales a great coach and he should fit their style perfectly. Ralph and Geary as the two Left handed shutdown D is gonna be tough to play against.

 

[Beauterham]

Michigan State got eliminated 11 days ago…lost in the 1st round.

really? lol! shows I don't follow the Frozen four anymore since the Gophers got eliminated. Looked it up and probably mixed them up with another team or something like that.

In that case, if Strbak hasn't signed an ELC yet, big chance he will be back.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Strbak should obviously go back to school and stay there until he's eligible to sign with the team of his choosing, which of course would be the Blues. Come play with your buddy Dvorsky, and jump onto a contending team with an obvious path to play instead of the Buffalo dumpster fire.

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

Cayden Lindstrom, last year’s 4th overall pick, is leaving the WHL for Michigan State too. He’s missed this entire season to his back injury.

Their top player, Isaac Howard, hasn’t signed with the Lightning yet either. Apparently it’s not because he’s not sure if he wants to turn pro but because TB simply doesn’t have the cap space to be able to add him to his roster and he’s not interested in going to the AHL. He wants to burn a year off his contract.
MSU hockey star Isaac Howard reportedly in 'staring contest' with Tampa Bay Lightning

Would be funny if Howard returns to Mich St just to spurn the Lightning and then sign with whoever he wants next summer. I doubt that happens though. He’ll eventually sign with the Lightning.

Maybe he and Ralph can become really close friends.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Cayden Lindstrom, last year’s 4th overall pick, is leaving the WHL for Michigan State too. He’s missed this entire season to his back injury.

Their top player, Isaac Howard, hasn’t signed with the Lightning yet either. Apparently it’s not because he’s not sure if he wants to turn pro but because TB simply doesn’t have the cap space to be able to add him to his roster and he’s not interested in going to the AHL. He wants to burn a year off his contract.
MSU hockey star Isaac Howard reportedly in 'staring contest' with Tampa Bay Lightning

Would be funny if Howard returns to Mich St just to spurn the Lightning and then sign with whoever he wants next summer. I doubt that happens though. He’ll eventually sign with the Lightning.

It’s happening! Lightning FAFOd this one IMO.

Friedman added this in his 32 Thoughts:

 

[ToastedRavioli]

It’s happening! Lightning FAFOd this one IMO.

Have to imagine that they will start shopping his rights

 

[STL fan in MN]

Have to imagine that they will start shopping his rights

Yep. They have to at least assess the market. That said, their asset just got less valuable…unless they move fast and Howard is willing to back out and still sign with another team yet this season if the Lightning can get deal done quickly.

 

[ToastedRavioli]

My understanding is the main contention is that Howard will not sign unless he immediately gets a spot in the NHL. Lightning cannot do that because of their cap situation. If they trade him quickly there would be the same issue as he wouldn't be able to play in the playoffs since we are past the trade deadline. Definitely an interesting scenario.

 

[STL fan in MN]

My understanding is the main contention is that Howard will not sign unless he immediately gets a spot in the NHL. Lightning cannot do that because of their cap situation. If they trade him quickly there would be the same issue as he wouldn't be able to play in the playoffs since we are past the trade deadline. Definitely an interesting scenario.

Yeah, it’s past the trade deadline so he wouldn’t be playoff eligible but my guess is his main desire is to burn the first year of his contract. And if he can’t do that…

My guess is this is a negotiation ploy. He has absolutely nothing left to prove in college. Question is, will Tampa blink.

 

[Beauterham]

The Raiders (Mrsic) eliminated the Oil Kings (Jecho) in the WHL-playoffs. Jecho to Springfield (untill the end of the season) anouncement coming soon?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

The Raiders (Mrsic) eliminated the Oil Kings (Jecho) in the WHL-playoffs. Jecho to Springfield (untill the end of the season) anouncement coming soon?

Music hurt? He missed last couple games.

 

[taylord22]

Music hurt? He missed last couple games.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I don’t see that as intentional as it would be a natural movement for his leg to straighten and kick up like that when falling to the ice but geez, that looks scary! Anyone know if Mrsic got cut? He’s missed games so clearly it can’t be great.

 

[taylord22]

I don’t see that as intentional as it would be a natural movement for his leg to straighten and kick up like that when falling to the ice but geez, that looks scary! Anyone know if Mrsic got cut? He’s missed games so clearly it can’t be great.

Sounds like there was blood, but the discourse that I saw pointed toward it being dental/nose vs. laceration.

Regardless, I agree with you that I don't think it was intentional. That leg extends FAST even in slow motion - that would be Bruce Lee/Superhero levels of coordination.

 

[Beauterham]

Jiricek is back... for now.

 

[STL fan in MN]

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Jiricek is back... for now.

That’s good. Hopefully he can stay healthy this time.

I’m usually the first to say that fans just need to give teenagers time to put on muscle but this kid is continually getting knocked out of games. He really needs to put on some muscle and add some strength this summer. He’s just soo skinny.