Blues Eye Sharks No. 2 Pick to Fill Elite Prospect Gap

The St. Louis Blues control the 11th and 15th picks plus a third first-rounder tied to the Avalanche in the 2026 NHL draft. Their prospect pool ranked 10th league-wide entering the offseason, leaving a clear gap at the elite level.

General manager Doug Armstrong confirmed in March that the club remains open to moving up. The Blues already hold 12 total selections across the draft, giving them flexibility to add pieces without emptying future capital.

Asset Value and Target Fit

The 11th and 15th selections fall short of No. 2 market value on their own. Scott Wheeler noted that San Jose would likely demand a roster player such as Jordan Kyrou in any package. The Sharks hold the second overall choice and have signaled willingness to listen under Mike Grier.

Corey Pronman ranks Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg as the top two prospects available. St. Louis already has Otto Stenberg on its roster, creating a natural sibling fit if Ivar lands in town. The Blues also own Adam Jiricek and Dalibor Dvorsky, both of whom have drawn trade interest in hypothetical discussions.

Colton Parayko turns 33 during the 2026-27 season, limiting his long-term appeal in a No. 2 package. Offers built solely around the 11th pick, Jiricek and a third-rounder would likely fall short of what Grier could extract from other suitors.

Path to a Deal

Blues management could open with the 11th and 15th selections and gauge what additional pieces close the gap. Jimmy Snuggerud and Jiricek appear unlikely to feature in serious talks, preserving core young talent.

The Sharks face pressure to maximize return on the second overall pick while Michael Misa develops as their projected long-term second-line center. Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich have surfaced in speculation but do not appear to align with San Jose’s timeline.

Any completed transaction would give St. Louis an immediate high-end prospect while retaining enough draft capital to address other roster needs in subsequent rounds.