On Aug. 23, the St. Louis Blues introduced the signing of defensive prospect Quinton Burns to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC) price 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 total.
This signing has been lengthy awaited, and Burns has proven vital progress in proving why he’s price it and the way he can influence the Blues roster in the long term. Let’s have a look at what elements might have made him worthy of this deal.
Burns Getting Seen in Worldwide Tournaments
Burns performed with Crew Canada within the World Junior Championship (WJC) Summer time Showcase a few month in the past. He solely performed two video games with Crew Canada White, the place he gathered no factors. Nonetheless, he’s not a lot of an offensive defenseman and performs extra of a shutdown position 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 adequate to earn a bronze medal with Canada by the top of it.
There isn’t a indication but on whether or not he’ll be a prime consideration for Crew Canada within the 2025 WJC. Nonetheless, with extra expertise and worldwide play being added to him, his title must 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 via 48 video games. After that, in his second season (2022-23), he had 29 factors via 54 video games and 35 factors via 58 video games in his third season (2023-24). Although he’s not identified for his level manufacturing, his regular growth in that division is sweet and is headed in the fitting route.
Within the upcoming 2024-25 season, Burns may have one other breakout season. I might venture it to be round 40 factors as a result of his level manufacturing elevated by six factors final season, and it looks as if his manufacturing is simply growing just a little larger than prior to now. Between 2021-22 and 2022-23, his level manufacturing elevated by 25 factors, an enormous distinction from his output between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
That stated, common level manufacturing is just not 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 beneath Blues normal supervisor (GM) Doug Armstrong for a cause, as Armstrong has chosen and signed quite a lot of defensive defensemen prior to now.
The place Burns Would Match within the Lengthy Run
By way of growth, Burns is just not a participant I might see getting an instantaneous place on the Blues roster. He’ll more than likely 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 just like his defensive play fashion.
Nonetheless, attending to that stage 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 plenty of extra. Preventing for a roster spot, particularly as a left-handed defenseman, shall be a problem.
If Burns desires to boost the bar on his recreation and develop into a participant that the Blues discover as a dependable defenseman on their essential roster, it should be as soon as he performs within the AHL. To this point, the Blues system with the Thunderbirds has been useful and developed lots of their depth and essential roster defensemen, corresponding to 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 shall be extra deal with prospects and the youth throughout the Blues’ AHL and NHL rosters. This is a superb signal for Burns.
