The St. Louis Blues have locked up an important prospect, as the team inked Jake Walman to a three-year, entry-level contract Tuesday evening. Walman had been expected to turn pro for some time, but had to wait until Providence College was eliminated from the NCAA tournament. He will head to the Chicago Wolves on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the season. 
An incredible skater, Walman is difficult to stop when he he carries the puck through the neutral zone. A natural puck-rushing defender, he’s taken steps to become a better defender this season and will continue to do so at the professional level. His offensive upside is tremendous, but he won’t be able to use that ability at even strength enough without some good work at the AHL level to tighten up his gaps and stop relying on his speed to make up for any mistakes. At just 21, he’s ahead of the curve developmentally for a third-round pick, and should be pushing for an NHL job before he’s 23.
St. Louis has done well this spring to bring in their top NCAA prospects, getting Walman and Tage Thompson to both leave school early and join the professional ranks. Both players showed immense potential at the college level, and represent part of the next wave of players for the Blues. After a struggle in the first part of the season, the team has turned its NHL product into a contender again, while restocking the system with college players and a strong return for Kevin Shattenkirk. For anyone who thought the Blues might be headed in the wrong direction at the end of 2016, they look far from it now.