WHL offensive dynamo defenseman Carter Yakemchuk could be a player of interest for the St. Louis Blues when they pick 16th overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft
With the 2024 NHL Draft approaching, it's time to look at some prospects that may be available to the St. Louis Blues with their first round pick. Now, as reported by fellow St. Louis Site Editor Lou Korac, the team could move up or down with the pick. Or, trade the pick for a young roster player, or make the pick.
However, Since St. Louis still has hold of pick No. 16 in the NHL Entry Draft, we’re going to spend every day leading up to June 28, looking at prospects who may be available and of interest to Doug Armstrong and his scouting team.
So far, we’ve covered OHL, Liam Greentree, the next Norwegian star, right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Czech defenseman, Adam Jiricek.
Today, we’re profiling another right-shot defenseman, and this prospect is best known for his ability to create offense from the blueline and his physical play.
WHL Calgary Hitmen's Carter Yakemchuk is a sizable 6-foot-3, 203-pound defenseman with a high ceiling, capable of being a game-changer. If the Blues are seeking to add an offensively-minded defenseman to their system, Yakemchuk is the one to consider.
He's coming off a season where he set the Hitmen record for goals by a defenseman in a single season (30). Additionally, he finished second in points (71) by a draft-eligible defenseman from the three CHL leagues in Canada (WHL, OHL, and QMJHL).
Yakemchuk may not be available for the Blues at No. 16 in the draft due to his combination of size and offensive skill. The team could be forced to trade up in the draft if he’s their guy. THN's draft preview magazine draft rankings had him at No. 14, while most other public scouting rankings have him anywhere between 10-18.
McKeen’s Hockey ranked Yakemchuk as high as No. 10 on their final rankings list. “He has genuinely jaw-dropping moves one-on-one. He’s an excellent playmaker and shooter. He is a ferocious attacker from the offensive blueline, always on the lookout for opportunities, and works his way into high-danger areas,” said Assistant Director of Scouting with McKeen’s Hockey Derek Neumeier.
*No. 26 in Black and White
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The highlight-reel moves he can pull off are not something you usually see out of a defenseman of his kind of size.
St. Louis does not have a pure offensive defenseman coming up in their pipeline. Last year’s 29th overall pick, Theo Lindstein, possesses some offensive skill, but the Swede’s game isn’t all about offense. With Yakemchuk, the team would be getting a future quarterback on the powerplay with a threatening, heavy shot, and the skill level to break games open along the backend.
The late 2005 birthday defender has a shoot-first mentality but improved his playmaking this past season with the Hitmen. “He has similarities to (Evan) Bouchard,” one scout said. “You get him the puck on the powerplay and he can really fire it.”
However, there are some drawbacks to Yakemchuk’s risk-taking, defensive play, and skating. “Can Yakemchuk be as effective when he has to dial things back, playing in a structured system?” Said Neumeier.
Can he find success in the NHL playing his high-risk, free-flowing style of game? Only the elite-caliber defensemen in the league have been able to succeed playing that kind of style. Others have tried, but they either turned into turnover machines or were forced to change their playstyle.
Yakemchuk’s defensive concerns coincide with his skating. THN's scouting expert Tony Ferrari is lower on him than others, having him ranked as low as the 27th-best prospect in the draft.
“His mobility will be the area he must work the hardest to develop. He has a hard time dealing with quicker, agile attackers and has a habit of leaning out with his stick,” said Ferrari.
Should the Blues succeed in enhancing his mobility and skating mechanics, they may fully embrace finding a top four pairing defenseman, and a potential steal. But, if they find that his mechanics are fundamentally flawed, they might opt to avoid drafting the talented blueliner altogether.
The organization has shown a liking towards defensemen with a nasty side to them and the potential Blues first-rounder is a fan of playing physical and is never one to back down from a challenge. Yakemchuk finished fifth in penalty minutes (120) in the WHL this season and dropped the gloves five times.
The thought of having a highly-skilled, potentially 60-point blueliner with the coveted size and ruggedness that NHL teams desire in a defenseman could be too intriguing to pass up, even with his current concerns.
St. Louis found a gem out of St. Albert Alberta in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft in Colton Parayko. St. Alberta is four hours south of Yakemchuk’s hometown of Fort McMurray. Perhaps the organization will circle back to the Canadian Province to pluck out another right-shot defenseman who will one day play an important role in bringing the Cup back to St. Louis.
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