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Eight St. Louis Blues Mock Trades Provided By The Fans

By Jason Martin

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 30: Alexander Steen #20 of the St Louis Blues is congratulated by Alex Pietrangelo #27, Robby Fabbri #15, David Perron #57 and Pat Maroon #7 after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on November 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 30: Alexander Steen #20 of the St Louis Blues is congratulated by Alex Pietrangelo #27, Robby Fabbri #15, David Perron #57 and Pat Maroon #7 after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on November 30, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 4: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals skates during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 4: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals skates during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on December 4, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Tarasenko to the Washington Capitals for a first-round pick and a depth forward.

Trading Vladimir Tarasenko would be a franchise-changing decision. He has been the Blues best player for the past decade and trading him would change the course of the franchise.

I agree with the structure of this trade; however, I think Tarasenko is worth more than just a first round pick and a fourth line forward. If the Blues wanted to trade Tarasenko, who is a bonafide 30-40 goal scorer in the league, then they will need to get a significant package in return.

I modified this trade just a little bit. I would be okay with trading Tarasenko to Washington for two first round picks and Andre Burakovsky.

These picks may not turn out any great players. The Washington Capitals are not going away anytime soon and have consistently been at the top of the NHL in standings, thus, having a higher draft pick.

The Blues could be creative with how they use these picks though, general manager Doug Armstrong has turned first round draft picks into NHL talent in the past, and there’s no doubt that he could do something like that again with these picks.

The primary return in this deal for the Blues would be Burakovsky. The 23-year-old Austrian born winger has shown some promise over his short five-year career. Currently, Burakovsky has five goals and three assists in 36 games with Washington.

Burakovsky has scored as many as 17 goals in a season back in 2015-2016 and has registered as many as 38 points in the same year. The Austrian still has some developing to do, but he is capable of being at least a 20 goal scorer in the NHL and would be someone to keep an eye on if the Blues want to make a deal with the Capitals.

Would I do this trade? No, I would not. Trading Tarasenko would be a big mistake. Although he is underperforming so far this season, Tarasenko still can be an elite scorer, and the Blues shouldn’t move him for anything less than the world.

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