Blues counting on youth to fill top-six void left after Oshie trade

Troy Brouwer isn't jumping into a spot on the St. Louis Blues top line.

Acquired earlier this summer from the Washington Capitals in exchange for T.J. Oshie, the winger is likely to lock down the right side of the third line, leaving a void in the top-six that head coach Ken Hitchcock hopes will be filled by one of a few prospects.

Paul Stastny and Jori Lehtera are expected to serve as the top two centers, with Alexander Steen, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Jaden Schwartz skating on their wings. While captain David Backes could shift to a wing on a more permanent basis, his spot is dependent on how some kids fare in training camp.

"I think where we play David now depends on (Dmitrij) Jaskin, (Ty) Rattie and (Robby) Fabbri," Hitchcock told Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "How they do in camp and what level of play we think they can arrive at will determine how much we play David on the right wing."

Jaskin, 22, appeared in 54 games for the Blues last season, scoring 13 goals. Rattie, also 22, has only played 12 NHL games, but scored 52 goals in 131 AHL games over the past two seasons.

Fabbri impressed in camp last year, and had a legitimate shot at making the team as an 18-year-old before suffering an injury. He posted 25 goals and 51 points in only 30 games for the OHL's Guelph Storm in 2014-15.

If this experiment works out, and one of those three can grab a spot in the top-six, Backes would play third-line center with Brouwer and Patrik Berglund, a tough line assignment for any opponent.

Failing that, Backes will likely skate on the right side on one of the top two lines for the time being.

"I can tell you right now, (Backes) is going to play more right wing than he’s played since I got here," Hitchcock added. "Whether he’s a full-time player there or not, we don’t know yet. That depends on those three young kids."