Central STL News

St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong is preparing for the 2025 NHL Draft, where the team currently holds three selections. The draft begins with the first round on Friday at 6 p.m. CT and continues with rounds two through seven on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

The Blues are set to make their initial pick at No. 19 overall. "At 19, we think there is a good tier of players we can get," Armstrong stated.

Armstrong has not dismissed the possibility of trading his first-round pick if it benefits the team's long-term goals, but he remains cautious about such moves. "It’s definitely in consideration, but it’s always in consideration," he said regarding potential trades. He emphasized that they would not trade for a player nearing unrestricted free agency unless certain they could secure him long-term.

Beyond the first round, St. Louis has picks in the fifth (No. 147) and sixth rounds (No. 179). Previous trades have reduced their number of selections this year; notably, second and third-round picks were traded to Edmonton for offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway last year.

Discussing his strategy for this draft, Armstrong said, "I don’t know if we’re out of (our rebuild)," adding that acquiring Broberg and Holloway expedited their process by three years.

This year's draft will be conducted from Enterprise Center as part of a de-centralized format by the League. The top prospects will gather in Los Angeles at Peacock Theatre while other participants meet virtually.

Armstrong reiterated his strategy of selecting the best available player: "One thing that really hasn’t changed is how you build a team, and that’s through the middle of the ice — centermen, defense, goalie."

For live coverage of the draft events, fans can visit stlouisblues.com/draft or use the Blues App.