3 forwards the St. Louis Blues must avoid trading for in the Metropolitan Division
The St. Louis Blues could use a game-changing forward if they want to contend for a top-three spot in the Central Division, but there are players to avoid.
The St. Louis Blues need to find some scorers this offseason, and perhaps they will come in the form of a two-way blueliner like Jakob Chychrun. Or, maybe general manager Doug Armstrong would rather check out what kind of forwards may be on the trade block this offseason and go from there?
While there will be quite a few big names on the move in the coming months, three players whose names have been mentioned at one time or another may not be the best additions despite their recent performances or high potential.
Below, we’re discussing three players Armstrong would be wise to pass on thanks to factors like age, ineffective play, and just overall looking like a not-so-good fit. One name may surprise you, given their recent play, another one you’ll probably agree shouldn’t come to Gateway City, and the third name is a good defensive forward but wouldn’t give the Blues much in the offensive zone.
Brock Nelson/New York Islanders
Brock Nelson would be an ideal fit somewhere if the New York Islanders try to free up cap space this summer and trade one of their older, albeit big-time players. And if you look at Nelson’s numbers, you may ask me why he’s even on this list, as the guy has put up 34-plus goals in each of the last three seasons while accumulating 203 points in his previous 236 games.
He’s logged a 16.6 shooting percentage, 15 game-winners, plus 50 power play points (26 goals). Overall, Nelson has been one of the NHL’s top scorers, and a frenzy could erupt to trade for his services.
But heading into what will be his age-33 campaign, there is a lot of risk involved here, such as the number of elite seasons Nelson has left in accordance to what general manager Lou Lamoriello would want for him.
That said, Nelson is due just $4 million this season, and he’s also someone who, when he signs a new deal at some point, likely won’t see another AAV of $6 million, given his age. Yet if anyone trades for Nelson, they will be giving up a lot of compensation upfront, and that’s something Doug Armstrong doesn’t need to part ways with.
If Armstrong was wise, he would look ahead a few seasons and ask himself where he sees the Blues, and that should be as a much younger hockey team. Adding Nelson would immediately improve the team’s scoring, but what would the potential long-term ramifications look like?
Oliver Wahlstrom/New York Islanders
When a former first-round pick enters the rumor mill, it’s wise to take a long look at that player and ask if he was just a bad fit elsewhere. But Oliver Wahlstrom hasn’t resembled anything close to such a high selection since he first entered the NHL for a nine-game trial in 2019-20.
Since 2020-21, he’s appeared in 184 games, including just 67 over the past two seasons, thanks to injuries and the fact he has yet to dramatically improve any facet of his game. Further, Wahlstrom has yet to play in over 73 games or put up more than 24 points and 13 goals in a single season.
The pending RFA never averaged over 12:23 of average total ice time in a single season, and providing a physical presence is about all the value he’s brought thus far in his career. While this doesn’t mean Wahlstrom won’t break out, and there is a good chance he could be a steal if someone takes a chance on him, the Blues need someone who is far more established.
No, not another over-30 player like Brock Nelson, which is why he’s also on this list. But if they can find someone in their mid or even late-20s, there is a good chance the Blues overall scoring will trend further north than we may all anticipate next season. But right now, Wahlstrom’s best bet is to land with a team that is building, find a role, and hopefully play it well.
Scott Laughton/Philadelphia Flyers
So far, we have looked at a pair of players from the Islanders, one who is capable of putting up a flurry of points and another who has fallen way short of expectations. But let’s look at another player in the Metro Division who can be hit or miss: Scott Laughton.
The upside with Laughton recently has been aplenty, as he’s put up 82 points and 31 goals over the past two seasons with 160 appearances. His average time on ice neared the 17-minute mark, and he’s also a player who could put up a phenomenal physical presence and land crushing hits to create opportunities for whomever he’s playing for in 2024-25.
While there is a good chance Laughton sticks around in Philadelphia, he was in the rumor mill this past season, and there is no doubt Daniel Briere will move the 30-year-old if enticed with the right price. But this also doesn’t mean Doug Armstrong needs to target a player who may not give the Blues as many chances offensively as his recent performances may indicate.
St. Louis needs scoring help, and it wouldn’t be wise to trade for a player with a career Corsi For of 47.1 at even strength, especially when that player has seen 125 goals allowed while on the ice in the same situation over the past two years. Laughton would be a good addition in Gateway City, but he’s nowhere near the ideal offensive-oriented forward the Blues need.
feed
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)