As the Olympics are starting to wrap up, and the return to the NHL is imminent, let’s shift a little bit of our focus toward the St. Louis Blues. Only six games separate the restart on February 26 and the trade deadline on March 6.
Last season’s deadline was quiet and reserved, and no moves were made as General Manager Doug Armstrong chose to bet on this team as it is. It worked out in their favor as they made it to the playoffs on a historic run down the stretch.
Do not anticipate that to be the same for the last Trade Deadline of Armstrong’s tenure. This team is floundering, and extreme changes have to be made to shake up this roster. The core group must be nuked, but how and what return can they get for them?
No-Trade Clauses might not get moved
The Blues have an abundance of No-Trade Clauses and No-Movement Clauses for much of this core group. Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou have No-Trade Clauses for the forward group. Cam Fowler has a modified 4-team trade list for this season and then a No-Trade Clause that kicks in next season. Colton Parayko has a No-Trade Clause until the end of the 2027-28 season.
That is a tall order to try and get rid of, as these contracts are expensive and the players have all underperformed this season. Armstrong is going to have to really pull off some magic to get at least one or two of them moved at the Deadline. He can try and try and try, but if nobody else is willing to play ball, and the players are not willing to agree to move, then there is really nothing that Armstrong can do.
Return’s might not be outstanding
Another thing to factor in here is that the returns for these players might not be outstanding. Armstrong might be stuck in a situation where he has to settle on whatever comes back to St. Louis, even if he is getting low-balled.
That was evident in the New York Rangers handling of Artemi Panarin and his trade to the Los Angeles Kings, in which they did not get back nearly what "The Breadman" is worth. The Blues are going to feel the effects of that one in just about every deal they try to make this year.
This is going to be a very interesting Trade Deadline, and the hope is that Armstrong is able to figure out what the next best course of action is in place for the Blues. It just might not work out as they hope it will. As Alexander Steen takes over this offseason, he is going to have a big list of to-do's on his list.