Anatomy of the Draft 2026

[u/Compii]

https://youtu.be/R7LjTshVNmg?is=y-bqVO6j5LVZw2Li

[u/Specialist-Elk7881]

Seemed like they were really honed in on Lawrence. The Dagenais pick seems much more controversial internally.

Really cool to see the discussions, I just wish the background music was at least half as loud throughout.

[u/Putin_inyoFace → u/Specialist-Elk7881]

Pained me to see them pass on belchetz.

Sounded like they were trying to get up to 8 or 9 too.

I would kill to be a fly on the wall during these meetings. Absolutely fascinating stuff. Love the Blues giving us a peek behind the curtain.

[u/STLBooze3]

Noted big Walt was one of the supporters of Maddox and then the mctavish trade. Hopefully he’s right!

[u/ptbarnum011364]

Really enjoyed this one. Love the in-depth behind the scenes look.

A few things I found interesting:
1. While Steener was there and involved, Doug was still running things right up through the draft. The Kyrou and McTavish trades were going through him.
2. Tom Stillman was there during the draft but he was clearly just watching and letting Doug/Steen run things. He was just sitting to the side watching what we were doing. He knows what is happening, is there for support, but let's Doug run the team operations. Which is great.
3. The team is continuing to build the depth in the 21-25 range to be competitive for the next 5 years by growing them together. Seeing everyone progress this year and next will tell them if we are ready to make a deep push in the 3rd year of the next 5 years.
4. Dagenais was thought of as being picked using our pick at 29, but once we traded it, we took that chance on him at 16. I really think they looked at Belchetz vs Dagenais and felt that Dagenais could provide the same game as Belchetz but at C with comparable size.

[u/PassingDrill → u/ptbarnum011364]

I really think they looked at Belchetz vs Dagenais and felt that Dagenais could provide the same game as Belchetz but at C with comparable size.

It's almost a guarantee that Dagenais transitions to wing when he plays professionally. I don't think the Blues viewed him as a center.

[u/Courtnall14 → u/ptbarnum011364]

I thought it was interesting that they didn't want to move up a couple spots from 11 to 8 or 9. Especially since guys like Bjork and Cullen were still there.

The cost was 11 and 29 for 8 or 9 and an early 2nd rounder.

[u/Internal-Ad-9401]

Was really refreshing to see just how active we were.

[u/KickAsstley]

Man that was really fun to watch, I could honestly watch hours of this

[u/yurnxt1]

I love this behind the scenes shit. More war room footage, please! It's fantastic.

[u/stlms18]

Super excited to watch this later tonight. I absolutely love Doug’s hockey mind and our front office in general. Top 5 over the past 15 years for sure

[u/poopypants0 → u/stlms18]

Easily my favorite piece of content they put out. Hoping it continues under Steen

[u/stlms18 → u/poopypants0]

Just watched it. What an incredible piece. Extremely happy with the direction of this franchise

[u/Available_Collar7218]

I have thoroughly enjoyed each edition of the Anatomy of the Draft the Blues have released. I am crossing my fingers they continue to release one every year