With the Trade Deadline just a week and change away, it is officially trade season. For the St. Louis Blues, and return to action following the Olympic Break, it is a very interesting time.
General Manager Doug Armstrong has not called it quits on the 2025-26 season, nor has he tried to make any moves to try and go all-in on this season. But, with this core group, rumors have been circling all season long, and now they are as strong as ever.
One of those rumors is about the Blues' most valuable player, Robert Thomas. The Olympics had some key injuries to some playoff-contending teams, and one of them was in the Western Conference and reportedly very interested in No. 18. The Los Angeles Kings, who recently acquired Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers prior to the roster freeze, lost Kevin Fiala in the Olympics to a horrific tie-up accident with Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson.
With a No-Trade Clause, it will be a bit difficult to make this move happen, but not impossible. Is it time to move on from Robert Thomas as the next era of Blues hockey is on its way?
Ready to move on?
This is a rough pll to swallow for fans of the Blue Note. Thomas is a homegrown talent who has personified what it means to represent this team. He is a solid player, well worth his contract's Average Annual Value, but it might just be that this is not a good fit for him.
In the long-term, Thomas could be a valuable piece to have when the Blues exit this retooling period. But that could be one season, or five seasons. There is no way of telling, and his departure could expedite things and get this franchise back on track.
We have all seen what he is capable of, as he was one of the best players in the NHL following the Four Nations Face-off last season. But this season was a step back for him, and just about every player on this Blues team.
Would take a big return
With a No-Trade Clause, Los Angeles is going to have to pony up for him. They already sent one of their top prospects to the Rangers for Panarin, but they cannot let this injury to Fiala be ignored. They are going to need a top-tier centerman, and Thomas would be a perfect fit as they approach a playoff run.
Thomas' return is going to have to include Columbus's second-round selection for this upcoming draft, and a solid prospect. Namely, Jimmy Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. He has really come into his own, and the former fourth-round draft choice could be another key young fixture in this blossoming center group with Dalibor Dvorsky.
Should the Blues pull the trigger and deal Thomas to Los Angeles, or keep him through the rebuilding process, should it come to that?