An Eternal Question

What do you do with a #4 draft pick?

Oh, you could go for the tried and true methods: A) Pick someone you declare the "best player available," or B) Pick a player who "fills a need for us at the position," or C) Pick a player you believe will sign for near the league minimum (I'm looking at you Cozma).

However, the Blues will have the opportunity to go off the board when the NHL Entry Draft rolls around. The Blues could attempt to corner the market...the Danish hockey player market that is. I'm suggesting the Blues take this guy:

It didn't take Mikkel Boedker long to adjust to the North American game.

Boedker, an 18-year-old from Denmark, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean in the fall to suit up for the Kitchener Rangers in the Ontario Hockey League.

The trip was a huge success for both Boedker and the Rangers.

Boedker has developed into one of the top prospects for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and his coach thinks he is one of the players most ready to step into the NHL next season.

"He's been outstanding," said Peter DeBoer, the Rangers' coach and general manager. "He's proven that he's a top-10 NHL pick. He might be as ready to step right into the NHL as any other forward in the world other than (Steven) Stamkos."

DeBoer admitted he wasn't sure what to expect when Boedker arrived. DeBoer was building a team that would challenge for the Memorial Cup and didn't have time for projects. But Boedker put those fears to rest by becoming an impact player for his team almost immediately.

"You never know how players are going to adjust when they come from different countries and different systems, but this kid is pretty special," said DeBoer, whose Rangers are playing host for May's Memorial Cup. "He's a big, strong kid. He doesn't play a typical European game."

The Blues already have a Dane in place with the signing of Lars Eller. Why not give the kid a playmate from the home country? We don't really need another top 5 defensive prospect (not really). We do have trouble finding the back of the net, and Boedker does look like one of the better non-Stamkos options available this time around.

So, I'm making it official. GASL requests...no goddam it...GASL demands the Blues select Mikkel Boedker.

Or not...we could totally go another way.

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