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St. Louis Blues select defenseman Anton Andersson in seventh round of 2017 NHL Draft

By Patrick Karraker

June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty-one first round selections in the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty-one first round selections in the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Blues capped off their selections in the 2017 NHL Draft by taking a third defenseman.

After focusing on forwards with their first three selections in the 2017 NHL Draft, the St. Louis Blues stocked up on defensive depth with their final three picks in this weekend’s selection meeting. With their last selection, the Blues took Swedish defenseman Anton Andersson, capping off a day that also saw them select blueliners David Noel and Trent Bourque.

Anderson is listed at 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, making him the biggest defenseman that the Blues drafted Saturday. In 19 games for Lulea U-18 in 2016-17, he had nine goals, 12 assists, and 41 penalty minutes. He also moved up to Lulea’s junior team for 13 games and had two goals, one assist, and two penalty minutes.

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While Noel provides the greatest offensive potential and Bourque seems to be the most advanced defenseman, Andersson likely provides the greatest upside of the three because of his size. The Blues love their big defensemen–their projected top six defensemen heading into the coming season average 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds–so Andersson will definitely be a guy that they keep on their radar over the next few years. They’re allowed to keep evaluating him without having to offer him a contract for up to four years, so he’s a nice project, especially for a guy who didn’t get scooped up until the seventh round.

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