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St. Louis Blues Select Nikolaj Krag Christensen in Seventh Round of NHL Draft

By Patrick Karraker

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues fans cheer in support after a goal scored by St. Louis Blues right wing Troy Brouwer (36) against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues fans cheer in support after a goal scored by St. Louis Blues right wing Troy Brouwer (36) against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The St. Louis Blues took one more center as their 2016 draft neared a conclusion.

With their second-to-last selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, the St. Louis Blues took a final opportunity to increase their organizational depth at center, selecting Denmark native Nikolaj Krag Christensen. The Blues took six centers over the course of the two-day draft, including first-rounder Tage Thompson, second-rounder Jordan Kyrou, fourth-rounder Tanner Kaspick, fifth-rounders Nolan Stevens and Conner Bleackley, and finally Christensen.

Just like in last year’s seventh-round, when they took winger Liam Dunda, the Blues were able to get one of the rare draft-eligible 17-year-olds. Christensen won’t turn 18 until August 12. A very physically mature player for his age, Christensen stands at 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds. In 2015-16, the majority of his action came with the Rødovre Mighty Bulls, for whom he scored two goals and added two assists while accumulating 10 penalty minutes in 30 games.

Next: Blues Select Former Avalanche First-Rounder in Round 5

The nice thing about Christensen, much like recent late-round draftees such as Petteri Lindbohm, Santeri Saari, and Niko Mikkola, is that he can continue to develop overseas for a while without taking up a roster spot on one of the Blues’ minor-league teams. Then, if there’s a point when he looks to be nearly NHL-ready, the Blues can bring him over and plug him in sooner than later.

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