Right before the NHL has a complete roster freeze, and no moves can be made from 3 PM EST today through February 22, the St. Louis Blues decided to make a move. Center Nick Bjugstad has been traded to New Jersey for a mid-round pick and a prospect.
Nick Bjugstad traded from STL to NJ for a mid-round pick and a prospect
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 4, 2026
Bjugstad, who was signed this offseason for 2 years at $1.75 million AAV, didn't even finish his first full season with the Blues. General Manager Doug Armstrong might have made his first move toward the next direction of this team's future.
With 35 games in the 'Lou, Bjugstad had a goal and six assists for seven points. Much like the rest of this Blues lineup, he shuffles the lines from first through fourth, and was a fixture on the penalty kill.
#NEWS: We’ve acquired forward Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 2026 fourth-round draft pick.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 4, 2026
📰: https://t.co/tg3goXnl92 pic.twitter.com/EZMXoCbnlI
The return is about right, and the Devils gained another rough-and-tough center, with a big body to boot. A conditional fourth-round pick in next season's draft, and Thomas Bordeleau is a good return. Bordeleau is a 24-year-old forward who spent time with the San Jose Sharks before being in the Devils minors. Might be some upside there.
Armstrong might have laid the roots for the next direction for the Blues to go, even though Bjugstad is not a part of the core group. Selling off the 33-year-old centerman in his first year to go younger might be an indication that they are willing to start this re-tooling phase now, and not wait for the Trade Deadline on March 6.
Best of luck to Bjugstad in New Jersey. He should be a solid addition for them as they seek a playoff spot.