The St. Louis Blues are one of the clubs seemingly on the bubble of calling it quits this season. GM Doug Armstrong has been reluctant to push back from the table as his club has the potential to turn things around and go on a run.
Yes, the potential is there. But until it materializes, speculation will run rampant about the Blues selling off pieces. One name that’s gotten significant attention this year is top-line center Robert Thomas.
There’s no need to sell anyone on how good Thomas is. He’ll be a good fit just about anywhere he goes. The issue is that the Blues won’t part with him for a bag of pucks and goalie pads.
That brings us to an interesting comment by insider David Pagnotta. During an appearance on Sportsnet on January 22, the notable insider discussed potential deals the Carolina Hurricanes could embark upon. In particular, he talked about the interest that promising Russian blueliner Alexander Nikishin has been drawing. That situation prompted Pagnotta to float the idea of the Blues and Hurricanes swapping Thomas and Nikishin as part of a significant deal:
“For a young stud like Alexander Nikishin, for example, you're going to want somebody who's controllable and has term; we're talking like a Robert Thomas, for example, that caliber player.”
The idea, of course, wouldn’t work as a 1-for-1 swap. But as part of a larger deal, it could make sense for the Blues. The club, while having capable blueliners, lacks the sort of number-one defenseman who could lead from the backend.
Sure, Philip Broberg is a rising star. But he doesn’t quite project like, say, a number-one D-man like Charlie McAvoy or Zach Werenski.
The veteran stalwarts like Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko are great pieces to have. But they don’t stand out quite the way Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes do. While I’m not suggesting that Nikishin will be the next Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes, he does have the potential to be a stand-out, all-around blueliner.
Nevertheless, the Blues would be remiss if they didn’t at least listen to what a team like the Hurricanes would have to offer for someone like Thomas. It doesn’t cost anything to listen. But with the Hurricanes looking to be aggressive anywhere they can, it might lead to an interesting opportunity for the Blues.
Perhaps such a deal never happens. But the idea serves as a potential roadmap for what could be in the pipeline at some point.