With the St. Louis Blues looking like they're ready to start making some major trades and become early sellers, teams that figure to contend should be working the phones with general manager Doug Armstrong.
While they have struggled to a 6-8-3 record to open the 2025-26 campaign, it doesn't mean this team is short on talent. The Blues were a playoff team just one season ago, but they also look like they're still in a retooling phase, with plenty of high-end prospects trying to earn a spot in the NHL while seasoned veterans search for a place to try to win a Stanley Cup.
Several teams should be calling the Blues, but for three teams, it's non-negotiable. One team listed below has had some awesome luck lately in acquiring older players, while another showed interest in one Blues player as early as the 2025 trade deadline. The final team listed was supposed to be in a full-on rebuild, but a surprising start should have them looking for a dynamic scorer.
Anaheim Ducks for Justin Faulk
The Anaheim Ducks have built a reputation lately for being a young team that has a knack for getting the best out of seasoned veterans. Recently, the Ducks have brought on Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider, while signing Mikael Granlund.
With such a balanced team that isn't afraid to acquire aging veterans, Justin Faulk would be a great fit in Southern California. And he has proven he can still put up a two-way game, with three goals and nine points in 17 contests. Put him on a high-octane team like the Ducks, and he can thrive.
Despite being a team in transition on paper, the Ducks have proven they are more than ready to be legitimate playoff contenders. So they need to be looking for more veteran talent to help them get there, and it seems like a foregone conclusion that Justin Faulk will be available.
Toronto Maple Leafs for Brayden Schenn
The Maple Leafs showed interest in Brayden Schenn in 2024-25, and there's no reason to believe that interest has waned. Toronto isn't off to the good start fans expected, and the Maple Leafs have struggled defensively.
Someone like Schenn could easily come in and bring an additional punch to the Maple Leafs' lineup with his reputation as a two-way forward and a hard hitter. Schenn can also deliver offense and win face-offs, so the Leafs would be getting a complete player to help them finally get back on track.
Schenn, now in his age-34 season, may not be the player he was. But he's still capable of playing top-six minutes when needed, and can put up a 50-plus points a season. That would make him an incredible addition to the Maple Leafs.
Pittsburgh Penguins for Jordan Kyrou
Nobody expected the Pittsburgh Penguins to be this good heading into the 2025-26 season. While they have cooled down since their hot start, they are still seventh in the league in scoring with 57 goals.
Adding one more player to the mix, like Jordan Kyrou, who has put up at least 31 goals a season since 2022-23, would transform the Penguins from potential contenders to surefire contenders. Plus, he has a contract that won't expire until 2031, meaning he would be giving any team acquiring him a potential long-term stint.
The only drawback is that Kyrou would need to accept the trade, since he is on a full no-trade clause. But for a chance to play alongside Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang during their twilight years while potentially turning into one of the next faces of the franchise? There's a good chance Kyrou would have no problem waiving his clause.
Overall, the Penguins would be a great fit for Kyrou, just as Schenn would look at home in Toronto, while Faulk would make a great asset in Anaheim. The Ducks have had some luck trading for seasoned veterans; the Maple Leafs showed signs that they wanted Schenn last season, and the Penguins would continue to trek north amidst what was supposed to be a rebuild with Kyrou. And the Blues would get some high draft picks, high-end prospects, and maybe an NHL-ready player or two.