There are many different ways to describe what a successful Trade Deadline would look like for the St. Louis Blues. This is General Manager Doug Armstrong's last stand, and his legacy is on the line for this one.
The Blues are not eliminated just yet, but it is just about over. Unless some craziness happens in the final two months of the season, it is time to start thinking about what's next. NHL trade rumors have been swirling around the internet, and a lot of it is linked to the Blues.
According to reports, anyone over the age of 25 is up for grabs, and that is a long list. There is no indication as to who, or how close a deal is to being made.
It is clear, however, that a successful trade deadline would look like this for the Blues.
Trade Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk and Pavel Buchnevich
It is time to completely nuke this roster, and in particular, this core group. Clearly, the current regime is not working, and it will likely never work. Instead of being stuck with these contracts as the players age into the twilight of their careers, and unable to unload them in the future, cut the ties now.
The players who should be sold off and will bring in a plethora of return pieces are as follows. Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk, and Pavel Buchnevich. Those four players can bring a lot to the table for a contending team, and for what Armstrong is accepting for them in return, they can accelerate this potential upcoming retool.
As for goaltender Jordan Binnington, there is an equal amount of pros and cons to trading him. To ensure a sturdy transition from No. 50 to Joel Hofer, it is imperative that he remain a Blue for the long-term. Once the Blues recalibrate the blue line, Binnington might have enough in the tank for one more run.
Bring in draft capital, find the next Celebrini
It is important that the Blues continue to bring in top-tier young talent. We have seen it with Dalibor Dvorsky at the Olympics, Jimmy Snuggerud at the NHL-level, and the Justin Carbonneau onslaught in the QMJHL. This upcoming draft class is led by a stellar player who could change the entire landscape of the Blues' future, in Gavin McKenna.
The emergence of Macklin Celebrini at the Olympics, as well as his elite skill in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, is a wonder to watch. The Blues have to try and find the next version of him, which is quickly being molded like Sidney Crosby influenced Connor McDavid, which is now influencing Celebrini.