The St. Louis Blues are one of the most interesting teams heading into the trade deadline this season. Just about every pundit is calling for the club to begin a massive sell-off amid what is an impending playoff miss.
One of the most-watched names this season is Robert Thomas. He’s perhaps the Blues’ best trade chip and could fetch a significant return. But those waiting on St. Louis to make Thomas available on the trade market may have to wait a little longer.
News of the Blues shutting down Robert Thomas for the remainder of the schedule leading up to the Olympics has essentially precluded the possibility of a trade. Insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the matter during the January 31 edition of Saturday Headlines.
Friedman pretty much nixed trade talk involving Thomas after he had surgery to correct a lingering issue. Thomas will not play leading up to the Olympic break, hitting the ice once the season resumes later this month.
“That (the surgery) might slow down any conversations there. I will say this, a bunch of teams who have kind of talked about it have said not very many people in the league can do what St. Louis might want to do here.”
The comments have to be read between the lines a little bit. But the focus seems to be on the asking price being exorbitantly high for Thomas. As a result, a handful of clubs may have a real possibility of landing Thomas.
The Blues might be keener on moving other names out before actually sitting down and entertaining offers for Thomas. Nevertheless, things can change if a team is truly motivated to make something happen.
Blues' asking price for Thomas reportedly high
There has been some speculation regarding the asking price for Robert Thomas. At this point, there is no firm indication of what that asking price might be. One rumor suggests that the Blues could be looking for something similar to what the Vancouver Canucks got for Quinn Hughes.
If we go by the return the New York Islanders got for Brock Nelson last season, the price tag could be a first-round pick, a mid-tier pick, and the acquiring club’s top prospect. That’s something a lot of teams could do.
By the same token, the price tag for Artemi Panarin this season is supposed to be around the same ballpark as Nelson. Under that assumption, the price tag on Thomas could be higher than Nelson or Panarin.
Thomas is younger at 26 and is coming off back-to-back 80-point seasons. Injuries have slowed him down somewhat this season. Still, Thomas has 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games. He’s on track to eclipse 50 points in what has otherwise been a down year.
Plus, Thomas comes with five years remaining on his current contract at $8.125 million. With the way salaries are trending in the NHL, that will be a highly palatable hit as the cap and paychecks continue rising.
If anything, a Thomas trade will most likely be an offseason deal. While the hiatus during the Olympics could give teams a chance to talk, the fact is that pulling off a trade such as this won’t be an easy one.
So, it’s unlikely Thomas moves at the deadline this season. It will be the sort of conversation incoming Blues GM Alex Steen might have leading up to the 2026 NHL Draft.