Prospect Signings 3/12/2012

Prospect Signings: March 12th, 2012

-St. Louis Blues Sign Jaden Schwartz To A Three-Year Entry Level Contract

-Nashville Predators Sign Jack MacLellan To A One-Year Entry Level Contract

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St. Louis Blues Sign Jaden Schwartz To A 3-Year Entry Level Contract

C. Jaden Schwartz Age: 19 Height: 5-10 Weight: 182 Drafted: St. Louis Blues in the 1st round (14th overall) in 2010. 2011-12 Statistics: Colorado College (NCAA): 30 GP | 15 G | 26 A | 41 P | 18 PIM Canada (WJC U-20): 6 GP | 2 G | 3 A | 5 P | 4 PIM CONTRACT: 3 Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Named to the NCAA (WCHA) Second All-Star Team  -Through 60 games with Colorado College he's had 32 goals and 56 assists for a total of 88 points.

Thoughts: 

This afternoon the St. Louis Blues announced that they have signed their top prospect, Jaden Schwartz, to a three-year entry level contract. For the past week or so, its been heavily speculated that his signing with the Blues was imminent, but most people thought he'd be down in the American Hockey League on an Amateur Try-Out (ATO). According to the Blues staff however, he will in-fact be in the NHL with them for the rest of the season. Although he will be good skilled depth player for the Blues in their run for the Stanley Cup, the decision to have him on the roster now may hurt them down the road as it will burn one year off of Schwartz's entry level contract.

At nineteen years old, Schwartz has developed into quite the player since his draft year. In his two seasons with Colorado College he's been one of the best players in the college hockey. He plays an exciting game that stems from his impressive speed and great on-ice vision. His potential is huge and I could see him becoming a star in the National Hockey League. His good playmaking ability would make him a solid center at this level, but I think he'll start off with the Blues as a left winger.

Supposedly he will be making his NHL debut by the end of this week.

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Nashville Predators Sign Jack MacLellan To A One-Year Entry Level Contract

F. Jack MacLellan Age: 23 Height: 5-11 Weight: 174 Drafted: Undrafted 2011-12 Statistics: Brown University (NCAA): 30 GP | 15 G | 15 A | 30 PTS | 38 PIM  CONTRACT: One Year Entry-Level Contract (ELC) Important Facts: -Played all four years with Brown University -During his senior year (11-12) was named captain of Brown University -Named to the 2008-09 NCAA (ECAC) All-Academic Team  -Named to the 2010-11 NCAA (ECAC) Second All-Star Team -Named to the 2011-12 All-Ivy First-Team -Attended the 2011 Blackhawks Rookie Camp as a Free Agent -Attended the 2011 Predators Rookie Camp as a Free Agent

Thoughts: 

Jack MacLellan could have went pro last season, and there were a handful of teams that have been trying to land him since then. The Nashville Predators were ultimately able to get MacLellan under contract following the conclusion of his senior season at Brown University. 

He has been one of the better players in the NCAA for the past few seasons and his playmaking ability has been held in very high regards around college hockey. He has been compared to his former teammate, and current Philadelphia Flyer, Harry Zolnierczyk. I think he'll be a solid NHL player for the Predators, this is a good depth move for them.