With the NHL trade deadline approaching on Friday, March 8, the St. Louis Blues are at a crossroads.
They currently sit 4th in the Western Conference Wild Card race with a 29-27-6 record (64 points), just one point behind Calgary (65 points) and Vancouver (65 points) for the final two Wild Card spots. The challenge? The Blues have played two more games than both teams, meaning they’ll need to maximize their remaining schedule to stay in the hunt.
Their recent 4-1 stretch suggests they’re capable of pushing for a playoff spot, but General Manager Doug Armstrong faces a difficult decision. Do the Blues add reinforcements to make a playoff push, sell assets to retool for next season, or use their cap space creatively to add future assets?
Salary Cap & Trade Flexibility
According to PuckPedia, the Blues will have just over $6 million in trade deadline cap space, which could be a significant advantage. With many contenders strapped for cap space, the Blues could act as a third-party broker in a three-team trade, retaining salary in exchange for draft picks or prospects.
This strategy could be especially appealing given the Blues’ lack of draft capital:
• First-round picks: Available in 2024, 2025, and 2026
• Second-round picks: None in the next three drafts
• Third-round picks: Available only in 2026 and 2027
With a shortage of mid-round picks, Armstrong may look to use the Blues’ cap space as an asset to acquire additional draft selections. Additionally, the Blues could explore moving their 2024 first-round pick in a deal for a player who not only helps this season but also fits into their long-term plans.
Key Trade Rumors & Potential Moves
Brayden Schenn – Staying or Going?
Blues team Captain Brayden Schenn has been mentioned in trade discussions, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and other contenders reportedly interested. However, with Schenn’s $6.5 million cap hit through 2027-28, a trade would likely require salary retention or another team to take on part of his contract. The Blues are unlikely to retain salary unless the return is substantial, meaning a Schenn move remains unlikely.
Pavel Buchnevich – The Blues’ Biggest Trade Chip?
If the Blues decide to make a significant move, Pavel Buchnevich is their most valuable trade asset. The 28-year-old winger is a consistent offensive contributor and carries a $5.8 million cap hit through next season. Trading Buchnevich could bring back a first-round pick, a high-end prospect, or an NHL-ready player.
Justin Faulk – Defensive Shake-Up?
The Blues’ blue line is crowded, and with Justin Faulk’s $6.5 million cap hit through 2026-27, teams looking for a veteran right-shot defenseman could come calling. However, a Faulk move is more likely in the offseason when teams have greater cap flexibility.
Radek Faksa & Oskar Sundqvist – Trade Chips?
The Blues also have depth forwards who could be moved for mid-round picks:
• Radek Faksa ($3.25M, UFA in 2025, Modified five-team No Trade Clause) – A strong defensive forward who could be a useful depth piece for a playoff team.
• Oskar Sundqvist ($1.5m annually, UFA in 2026) – A bottom-six veteran who could fetch a late-round pick from a contending team. With 10 years in the NHL and 61 goals and 159 points to his name, he brings a veteran presence to any playoff bound lineup.
Both players bring grit and defensive responsibility, making them potential targets for teams looking to add bottom-six depth.
Trade Deadline Strategy
1. Buyers: Adding Pieces for a Playoff Push
If the Blues believe they can secure a Wild Card spot, they could add a middle-six forward or a physical, two-way presence to bolster their depth. Possible targets include:
Ryan Donato (Chicago Blackhawks)
- 2024-25 Stats: 22 goals, 45 points in 59 games
- Cap Hit: $2M (UFA 2025)
- Fit: Donato brings speed and scoring depth to the bottom-six, a need exposed during earlier slumps. At $2M, he’s affordable, and Chicago’s rebuild makes him expendable. However, with a lack of talent available at the deadline, the price to acquire Donato could be more than the Blues are willing to pay.
Jordan Greenway (Buffalo Sabres)
- 2024-25 Stats: 3 goals, 8 points in 25 games
- Cap Hit: $3M (UFA 2025)
- Fit: A physical two-way, middle-six forward with size and defensive acumen, ideal for the playoff push and that extra bit of grit you love to have on your team. Not to mention a player who could help a struggling penalty kill.
Scott Laughton (Philadelphia Flyers)
- 2024-25 Stats: 11 goals, 27 points in 58 games
- Cap Hit: $3M (UFA 2026)
- Fit: A versatile forward with penalty-killing prowess, Laughton could stabilize the third line. Philly’s asking price might be a second-rounder plus a prospect, pushing the Blues to weigh his two-year term against their cap crunch.
Ryan O’Reilly (Nashville Predators)
- 2024-25 Stats: 14 goals, 36 points in 57 games
- Cap Hit: $4.5M (UFA 2027)
- Fit: A nostalgic reunion with the 2019 Cup hero could ignite the fanbase. O’Reilly’s two-way play would elevate the top-six, but Nashville could command quite a bit for the former Blues captain and his $4.5M hit, making this a long shot. A deal might require a first-round pick and a roster player, testing Armstrong’s willingness to go all-in. A return of O'Reilly could push him into a similar role that was once occupied by both Alexander Steen and Tyler Bozak when asked to play a consistent bottom-six role, but could fit into the top-six when needed.
2. Sellers: Retooling for the Future
As mentioned above, the Blues have several pieces who could fetch a decent return. With a lack of notable options available at the deadline, the Blues could field calls until the last second on some of their younger players with term to maximize a noteworthy return.
3. Cap Space as an Asset: Acting as a Third-Team Broker
With $6 million in trade deadline cap space, the Blues could retain salary for other teams in a three-team trade in exchange for draft picks or prospects.
Teams looking to make a significant acquisition but needing cap relief could work with the Blues to facilitate a deal. For example, if a contending team wants to acquire a player with a $6 million cap hit, the Blues could retain up to 50% of that salary while receiving a mid-round pick or better as compensation. This would allow the Blues to add assets without giving up roster players, helping rebuild their draft capital for future years.
4. Standing Pat: Letting the Team Decide Its Fate
The Blues are in a position where a trade does not need to be made, which could very likely occur. The Blues could hold onto their roster and see how the team performs in the final stretch. With one game remaining against Vancouver but none against Calgary, their playoff hopes will hinge on winning key matchups.
Gimme The Summary
With the trade deadline looming, the Blues have several options:
• Go all-in for a playoff push by acquiring a forward or using their first-round pick to add a long-term piece.
• Sell assets like Schenn, Buchnevich, Faulk, Faksa, and Sundqvist to set up for another playoff push next season.
• Act as a salary retention broker to gain additional draft picks without making major roster changes.
• Stand pat and let the current team determine its own fate.
Nothing can be ruled out with Doug Armstrong’s history of bold moves. Whether the Blues buy, sell, or get creative with their cap space, we’ll know by Friday’s deadline.