The St. Louis Blues might have missed an opportunity to grab one of the Tkachuk brothers, but there is still some hope that a deal can be reached with the Florida Panthers. This could be a blockbuster, once again, and one that could really help this franchise as they continue to enter their next era.
It is no secret that Jordan Binnington is not going to be the starter for next season, although an official announcement has not been made. And, with Florida not having a goaltender signed at the moment who has any real NHL experience, this could be a match made in heaven.
Blues General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong should have Panthers General Manager Bill Zito on speed dial, leading up to the Draft. Let's talk about it.
Binnington heading south?
This is quite simple, really. Binnington is likely going to be moved, and the Panthers need a goalie. Everything else is just figuring out what goes in the fine print.
Armstrong held both Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk up for a king's ransom at the trade deadline, and expects this to be no different. Binnington has been the heart and soul of this franchise for his entire career, and he will not be let go for a bag of peanuts.
The Blues could be enticed to make the deal for some center help, and Anton Lundell is a perfect choice. Throw in another prospect on the defensive side and maybe a later draft pick, and that should be enough for both parties to get what they want. Lundell is a proven Stanley Cup champion, and his expertise and age fit the Blues' current transition to a younger roster perfectly.
If this were to happen, an AHL goaltender should be a call-up. The name of the game is to save some cash before the heavy re-signing period following the 2026-27 season. Losing Binnington frees up $6 million AAV, but Lundell takes nearly all of it back at $5 million AAV.
On paper, both sides win this deal. The Blues are in no position to try and make a Stanley Cup run with this current unproven roster, and the Panthers' acquistion of Brady Tkachuk puts them as a heavy favorite to win it all next season.
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