St. Louis Blues: Navigating the Trade Deadline
The NHL’s Olympic roster freeze is officially over, and the hockey world is buzzing with activity as teams gear up for Friday’s trade deadline. TSN.ca is your source for all the latest news and rumours, and we’re bringing you a daily countdown to TradeCentre. You can follow all the latest trades here and the most up-to-date signings here.
Blues and Sabres Talks Stall on Robert Thomas
The Buffalo Sabres made a strong push to acquire forward Robert Thomas, but talks with the St. Louis Blues have reportedly reached a standstill. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the Sabres appear unwilling to meet the Blues’ demands.
“It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks,” Dreger wrote. “Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young centre.”
The Blues are seeking a significant return for the 26-year-old centre, who is signed through the 2030-31 season with a cap hit of $8.125 million. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston revealed that the Sabres had offered a package equivalent to four first-round picks, but it wasn’t enough.
“The Blues have been looking for three to four ‘premium assets’ in this deal, which is one of the reasons all these teams out there with that interest haven’t got to the point where Buffalo is,” Johnston said on Insider Trading. “What I can tell you with the Sabres is the belief is they have gotten into that range where we’re talking about a package of picks, players and prospects that gets to about four players.”
Thomas’ Value and Contract Details
Robert Thomas has 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games this season. He’s on the third year of an eight-year, $65 million contract, which includes a full no-trade clause. A key contributor to the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup championship, recording a goal and six points in 21 playoff games, Thomas was originally selected 20th overall in the 2017 draft.
Sabres’ Aggression and Other Potential Deals
Buffalo currently holds second place in the Atlantic Division and is determined to end its 14-year playoff drought. However, Jarmo Kekäläinen and the Sabres were unwilling to meet the Blues’ asking price, which included a roster player.
“We’re not closing the door entirely, and as we’ve said before here, be mindful of the fact that Thomas is a good player in St. Louis. He’s a young player on a long-term contract, so they’re not in a hurry to get rid of him. Armstrong has been fishing for a big haul, and Buffalo just wasn’t willing to provide that,” Dreger explained.
The Sabres are also reportedly seeking a defenceman, with Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko of the Blues being mentioned as potential targets.
Canadiens and Devils Also in the Mix
The Montreal Canadiens explored a trade for Thomas but balked at the Blues’ demands, which included highly-rated prospects Michael Hage and David Reinbacher. Pierre LeBrun reported that the Canadiens are being patient and waiting for deals to come to them.
“They’re just starting their window here; this is not the time for them to have the blockbuster that puts them over the top,” LeBrun explained.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are fielding calls on 2022 second overall pick Simon Nemec. While they aren’t actively looking to trade him, they would consider it if it meant a significant upgrade to their forward group. Nemec has 9 goals and 21 points in 47 games this season.
Looking Ahead
The next few days promise to be exciting as teams finalize their plans before the trade deadline. The St. Louis Blues appear to be in a strong position, holding firm on their demands for Robert Thomas and potentially landing a significant haul in return. Stay tuned to TSN.ca for the latest updates.
