On Aug. 23, the St. Louis Blues introduced the signing of defensive prospect Quinton Burns to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) value a median annual worth (AAV) of $870,000. Burns performs with the Kingston Frontenacs within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and was drafted by the Blues within the 2023 NHL Draft within the third spherical, 73rd general.
This signing has been lengthy awaited, and Burns has proven important progress in proving why he’s value it and the way he can influence the Blues roster in the long term. Let’s have a look at what components might have made him worthy of this deal.
Burns Getting Seen in Worldwide Tournaments
Burns performed with Workforce Canada within the World Junior Championship (WJC) Summer season Showcase a couple of month in the past. He solely performed two video games with Workforce Canada White, the place he accrued no factors. Nonetheless, he’s not a lot of an offensive defenseman and performs extra of a shutdown function like Colton Parayko, which is the place I believe the Blues see curiosity in him.
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Within the 2023 U18 WJC for Canada, he performed three video games and had no factors, however he was ok to earn a bronze medal with Canada by the tip of it.
There isn’t any indication but on whether or not he’ll be a prime consideration for Workforce Canada within the 2025 WJC. Nonetheless, with extra expertise and worldwide play being added to him, his title ought to be within the combine.
Burns’ Gradual Enchancment within the OHL
In solely 154 video games performed with the Frontenacs, Burns has earned 68 factors in his OHL profession. Regardless of that, when wanting extra in-depth at his stats, there is a rise over his final three seasons. In his first season (2021-22), he had 4 factors by means of 48 video games. After that, in his second season (2022-23), he had 29 factors by means of 54 video games and 35 factors by means of 58 video games in his third season (2023-24). Regardless that he isn’t recognized for his level manufacturing, his regular growth in that division is nice and is headed in the correct course.
Within the upcoming 2024-25 season, Burns may have one other breakout season. I might challenge it to be round 40 factors as a result of his level manufacturing elevated by six factors final season, and it looks like his manufacturing is simply rising just a little increased than prior to now. Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, his level manufacturing elevated by 25 factors, a giant distinction from his output between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
That stated, common level manufacturing shouldn’t be the one factor he’s improved on, as he’s put himself in a dependable spot for particular groups. Final season, he had 11 power-play factors, all from power-play assists. His 11 power-play assists had been sufficient to place him within the prime 20 in that class.
Most notably, Burn’s aggressiveness could be very current within the OHL, as he was sixth within the league in penalty minutes final season. He was signed underneath Blues normal supervisor (GM) Doug Armstrong for a purpose, as Armstrong has chosen and signed a variety of defensive defensemen previously.
The place Burns Would Match within the Lengthy Run
When it comes to growth, Burns shouldn’t be a participant I might see getting a right away place on the Blues roster. He’ll most definitely function a defenseman within the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Blues’ affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. Burns’ shutdown defensive abilities could possibly be useful within the subsequent two or three years if the Blues plan on eliminating Parayko and wish somebody much like his defensive play fashion.
Nonetheless, attending to that degree received’t be as fast or straightforward because it sounds. Burns can also be competing with different defensive prospects and younger abilities like Theo Lindstein, Leo Loof, Michael Buchinger, and lots of extra. Preventing for a roster spot, particularly as a left-handed defenseman, can be a problem.
If Burns needs to boost the bar on his recreation and develop into a participant that the Blues discover as a dependable defenseman on their predominant roster, it must be as soon as he performs within the AHL. Up to now, the Blues system with the Thunderbirds has been helpful and developed lots of their depth and predominant roster defensemen, resembling Scott Perunovich, who was not too long ago renewed contractually, Tyler Tucker, and Matthew Kessel.
With Alexander Steen coming into the GM seat in 2026, there can be extra deal with prospects and the youth throughout the Blues’ AHL and NHL rosters. This is a wonderful signal for Burns.
