“We are a lot richer in talent right now than we were yesterday,” said Blues President John Davidson. “Jarmo (Kekalainen) and our scouting staff made three solid picks with more to come tomorrow.”

St. Louis made two trades on the first day, acquiring San Jose’s first (13th overall) and second (44th overall) round picks in this year’s draft along with the Sharks’ third round selection in the 2008 Entry Draft. The team

Ian Cole

used the 13th selection on Danish forward Eller. The team moved up to the 18th position by trading their 24th pick along with their third round pick (70th overall) to the Calgary Flames. The team selected defenseman Cole from the U.S. National U-18 Team.

Eller, 18, a native of Rodovre, Denmark, spent last season with Frolunda of the Swedish Junior League recording 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) in 39 games played. He ranked first on the team with 55 points and 37 assists.

The 6-1, 198-pound forward represented Denmark at the 2007 Under-18 World Championships, recording 10 points (three goals, seven assists) infive games played.

David Perron

Eller was ranked third among all European Skaters by Central Scouting.

Cole, 18, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native spent last season with the U.S. National Under-18 team, scoring 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 49 games played. He guided Team USA to the silver medal at the 2007 Under-18 World Championships in Finland, scoring five points (four goals, one assist) in seven games played.

The 6-1, 211-pound blueliner will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

Perron, 19, spent last season with Lewiston of the QMJHL, recording 83 points (39 goals, 44 assists) in 70 games played. He led all rookies in goal scoring with 39 goals and finished second overall among all QMJHL rookies in points.

The 6-0, 180-pound left winger played in the CHL Top Prospects Game, registering an assist. He was ranked 10th among all North American Skaters by Central Scouting.

Sound Bytes

Lars Eller: on meeting with the Blues: 143k Ian Cole: on being drafted: 187k David Perron: on meeting the Blues: 166k