Top prospects for St. Louis Blues

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Today, the top five prospects for the St. Louis Blues, according to NHL.com.

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1. Scott Perunovich, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 45 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Minnesota Duluth (NCAA): 34 GP, 6-34-40
The 22-year-old won the NCAA Division I championship with the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2018 and 2019, and was voted winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's ice hockey player. The Blues see similarities between Perunovich (5-foot-9, 172 pounds) and defenseman Torey Krug (5-9, 186), who agreed to a seven-year contract with St. Louis on Oct. 9.
"We've talked about how smaller defensemen have been able to adapt in the new era in the NHL and how much success they're actually having, so we were excited," Blues director of player development Tim Taylor said. "With Scotty, his pedigree of being a two-time collegiate national champion is what we like about him because he's played big games, played big minutes in a big role. That's something you don't get out of every prospect coming up."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Klim Kostin, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 31 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: STL: 4 GP, 1-0-1; San Antonio (AHL): 48 GP, 13-17-30
The 21-year-old center made his NHL debut Nov. 16, 2019, against the Anaheim Ducks and scored his first NHL goal seven days later against the Nashville Predators. St. Louis assigned Kostin (6-3, 212) to Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League on Sept. 22.
"He's got a man's body, he's very strong and he can really shoot the puck," Taylor said. "He's played a limited number of games already with us in the NHL. He's a player now who's really knocking at the door to try and get more minutes and ice time."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Jake Walman, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 82 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: STL: 1 GP, 0-0-0; San Antonio (AHL): 57 GP, 8-19-27
Walman (6-1, 170) made his NHL debut Jan. 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old, who signed a two-year contract Nov. 19, worked last season on improving his defense with Jimmy Johnson, assistant for San Antonio of the American Hockey League.
"He has an NHL skating stride, he has an NHL shot, he just needs to keep the game more simple," Taylor said. "He's another guy who's ready to give us games. He's ready now to take that next step."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Austin Poganski, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 110 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: STL: 1 GP, 0-0-0; San Antonio (AHL): 56 GP, 10-20-30
The 24-year-old right wing made his NHL debut Dec. 10, 2019, against the Buffalo Sabres. Poganski played for the University of North Dakota and won the NCAA Division I championship in 2016 with teammates Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks) and Nick Schmaltz (Arizona Coyotes).
"He's come a long way in the last couple of years with our minor league team; he's been getting top-line minutes," Taylor said. "We don't see him as a top-line player here, we see him as a third- or fourth-line guy. But he brings a big body (6-1, 198), a good shot and great work ethic. He's an exceptional penalty killer. He's identified his role at the pro level, knowing exactly what he's going to do, and he accepts it very well."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Joel Hofer, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 107 pick in 2018 NHL Draft
2019-20 season: Portland (WHL): 48 GP, 34-8-5, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%
The 20-year-old was 5-0-0 with a 1.30 GAA and .939 save percentage in six games to help Canada win the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. Hofer (6-3, 160), named best goalie in that tournament, will go to Springfield of the AHL this season and compete with Jon Gillies.
"We've always preached with our goalies, we want to get the most minutes out of them, so we're going to really push and give him as many minutes as he can allow himself to take this year," Taylor said. "He's one of those kids, there's no expectations, he just goes out and grabs the net, and that's what we like about him."
Projected NHL arrival: Next season