The St. Louis Blues have a strong history of finding impactful players through the NHL Draft, particularly in the first round. Their scouting and player development have often given the franchise reliable talent.
However, with their only first-overall pick in franchise history, the Blues made a choice that has since been second-guessed. In the 2006 NHL Draft, St. Louis selected defenseman Erik Johnson. While Johnson went on to have a respectable career—playing over 1,000 NHL games and winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022—the pick looks less impressive in hindsight.
That same draft saw Jordan Staal go second overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jonathan Toews third to the Chicago Blackhawks, and Nicklas Backstrom fourth to the Washington Capitals. Among those players, it is Toews who most painfully reminds Blues fans of what could have been.
In 67 regular-season matchups against St. Louis—more than he played against any other team—Toews recorded 18 goals and 50 points. Throughout the 2010s, his leadership and production were key to Chicago’s dominance, a stretch that saw the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups.
While Johnson had a solid NHL career, it’s easy to imagine how different things might have been had the Blues chosen Toews first overall. Instead of watching Chicago thrive during that decade, St. Louis might have been the team to build a dynasty.
Now, Toews has returned to the NHL with his hometown Winnipeg Jets, the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners and the team that eliminated the Blues in the first round of the playoffs. If Winnipeg maintains its high level of play, Toews could once again prove to be a thorn in the Blues’ side.
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