With the Blues sitting at 20‑27‑9, second‑to‑last in the West and the entire league heading into their final game before the Olympic break, Doug Armstrong made a move that reflects where the season stands: this is about the future, flexibility, and giving younger players a runway.
The Blues send Nick Bjugstad to New Jersey in exchange for Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional 2026 4th‑round pick. The condition on the pick being the latest of the three fourth-picks that New Jersey currently owns, either Winnipeg, Dallas, or their own. Bordeleau will report to Springfield.
Why St. Louis Made the Move
Bjugstad’s run in St. Louis never found traction. Injuries limited him to 35 games, and his impact was modest:
• 7 points (6G, 1A), -7 rating
• 25 PIM, 54 shots (11.1% shooting)
• 11:38 ATOI
• 51.1% on faceoffs (134–128)
• 45.8 CF% and 96.3 PDO at 5v5
The underlying numbers match the eye test. Bjugstad wasn’t driving play, wasn’t tilting the ice, and didn’t fit the Blues’ long‑term bottom‑six identity. With another year on his contract at $1.75M AAV, he represented a roster and cap commitment that didn’t align with where the team is headed.
Given the standings and the reality that this season has slipped into evaluation mode. By moving Bjugstad now, the Blues have cleared a contract for 2026–27, opened minutes for younger forwards, added a mid‑round pick to the asset pool, and brought in a younger, controllable player with upside
This is a retooling move, not a rental dump.
What the Blues Get in Thomas Bordeleau
Bordeleau, 24, is a classic “change‑of‑scenery” swing. With eight points in 35 AHL games this season and 115 points in 196 career AHL games, 18 points in 44 NHL games to date. The former 38th overall pick (2020) is a skilled, playmaking forward who has shown flashes at the NHL level but hasn’t secured a full‑time role. For the Blues, he represents a younger, cost‑controlled forward with potential as a call‑up option next season. He projects more upside than a typical contract‑balancer with a chance to evaluate him in their own system without pressure.
The conditional 4th‑round pick adds another asset to a front office that values draft capital as part of its long‑term retool.
What Does this Mean for the Blues
In short, this move fits the broader picture of a team near the bottom of the standings and leaning into a reset and a potential sign of things to come ahead of the trade deadline. Fans could expect to see younger legs in the bottom six the rest of this season, more lineup and cap flexibility for next season, another draft pick for the pipeline, and a look at a former high‑upside prospect
It’s not a headline‑stealer, but it’s a smart, forward‑looking piece of roster management that aligns with where the Blues are in the standings and where they’re trying to go.