If you had to ask me right now about the St. Louis Blues chances of making the playoffs in 2024-25, I would say, “not good.” Further, if you asked me about the team’s chances of even seriously contending by the 2025 trade deadline, I would say, “better, but still not good.”
The upside, however, is that I’ll take back the claim that the Blues put themselves in a catch-22, or at least the pro sports version of it. One in which they aren’t good enough to make the playoffs, but aren’t bad enough to land a top pick, and it’s a cycle that can mire a team in mediocrity for years.
Further, think of this article as an extension of what I had written earlier in the week, one discussing three players who will be gone by the time the season ends. The difference here is, with the trio listed below, I’m foreseeing a chance that they, too, won’t be around the Lou much longer but will be traded.
Jordan Binnington
Yep, we’re starting big here with Jordan Binnington, who, at age 31 and with an 18-team no-trade clause, could be a hot name in the rumor mill, much like Pavel Buchnevich and Torey Krug were last season.
Binnington would be a hotter name for a team that may not be confident in their goaltending come the deadline, yet one that boasts an offensive prowess. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Toronto Maple Leafs make the call and try to acquire a goaltender whose eventual replacement is in a contract season and will, therefore, seek an impact.
Ryan Suter
While a potential Jordan Binnington trade could bring back a decent return, trading Ryan Suter would warrant far less compensation. One reason he’s listed here is thanks to the influx of young defensemen in the Blues system, and giving Suter a chance to win a Stanley Cup in exchange for a late-round pick would help out all parties in a particular trade.
The Blues get an extra pick, even if it’s one to take a flier on a prospect, plus a chance to give blueliners in the system more ice time. Suter will get a chance to win a Cup as a part-time player, seventh defenseman, or as an insurance policy.
Even if nothing pans out between the Blues and a would-be trading partner, this is a trade that may not have any real winners and losers. But that’s not exactly the goal here; it’s simply a late-season lineup reshuffle, albeit a minor one, and a courtesy to Suter.
Radek Faksa
Radek Faksa has a five-team no-trade clause, so he wouldn’t be difficult to move in a transaction that would certainly include a trade to a contender. Faksa is physical but not as known for his hard-hitting nature as he is for winning faceoffs, and that would be the primary motivator for a contender to acquire and place him on their lower lines.
He will win a lot of faceoffs in the defensive zone, and that will be pivotal to whichever contending team would be interested in him. In the meantime, Faksa will help the Blues, but don’t be surprised if he ends the year in another uniform thanks to the stability he would bring on the fourth line.