Eight years ago, when Bill Laurie still owned the Blues, they made one of the wisest moves possible when they hired Jarmo Kekalainen away from Ottawa to run their drafts. Today, the Blues announced that Kekalainen will leave to take over GM duties for Jokerit in his native Finland.

Jarmo had drafted the likes of Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa, Ray Emery and Jason Spezza for the Senators.

And here in St. Louis, as the Blues embarked upon a youth movement that they have stuck to, he selected David Backes, David Perron, Roman Polak, Patrik Berglund, Erik Johnson and T.J. Oshie.

His loss is a big blow to the Blues as they try to stockpile young talent. Kekalainen will run this draft before he departs. It’s incumbent upon new Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong to get the very best scouting director available. Otherwise, the youth movement will be a waste of time.

Eight years ago, when Bill Laurie still owned the Blues, they made one of the wisest moves possible when they hired Jarmo Kekalainen away from Ottawa to run their drafts. Today, the Blues announced that Kekalainen will leave to take over GM duties for Jokerit in his native Finland.

Jarmo had drafted the likes of Daniel Alfredsson, Marian Hossa, Ray Emery and Jason Spezza for the Senators.

And here in St. Louis, as the Blues embarked upon a youth movement that they have stuck to, he selected David Backes, David Perron, Roman Polak, Patrik Berglund, Erik Johnson and T.J. Oshie.

His loss is a big blow to the Blues as they try to stockpile young talent. Kekalainen will run this draft before he departs. It’s incumbent upon new Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong to get the very best scouting director available. Otherwise, the youth movement will be a waste of time.