The St. Louis Blues find themselves in a bit of no-man’s land right now.
They’re sitting seven points out of a playoff spot, and while there’s still time on the clock, the runway is getting shorter. A late-season surge isn’t impossible, but let’s be real-this doesn’t look like a team built for a deep postseason push in its current form.
And that might just be by design.
Over the last few seasons, the Blues have quietly been working through a retooling phase. It hasn’t been flashy.
No fire-sale trades, no splashy free-agent signings. Just a steady, deliberate shift toward youth and long-term sustainability.
According to a Western Conference source, this has been the plan all along-get younger, stay competitive, and build something that lasts.
“If you look at their decisions over the last few seasons, they haven’t really bought or sold major pieces,” the source said. “They’re likely to miss the playoffs for a third time in the last four years.
They want to get younger. (Brayden) Schenn and (Justin) Faulk are likely going to go, which means it’ll take a few years to get to the point of being able to compete again in the West.”
That’s a telling statement. Schenn and Faulk, both veterans with significant roles, could be on the move. And while trade chatter around those two has been circulating for a while, things could really get interesting if the Blues decide to entertain offers for bigger names-namely, Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas.
Thomas, in particular, is a name to watch. He’s not considered untouchable.
According to league chatter, the Blues would be willing to move him for the right return-and that return would have to be massive. Think along the lines of what the Vancouver Canucks received in the Quinn Hughes deal: a top-line center, a high-end defensive prospect, a mid-tier forward prospect, and a first-round pick.
That’s a blockbuster-type package, and it’s not one many teams could realistically offer. But if someone does step up with that kind of haul, the Blues would reportedly be willing to pull the trigger-regardless of how the rest of their season plays out. The expectation, though, is that any serious Thomas talks would likely wait until the offseason.
So what would a Robert Thomas trade actually look like?
If we use the Hughes deal as a blueprint, the Blues would be aiming for four key assets. First, a young center-ideally under 25-with top-six upside to help fill the void left by Thomas.
Then, a defensive prospect who could eventually step in for aging blueliners like Faulk or Colton Parayko. A mid-level forward prospect adds depth to the pipeline, and a first-round pick gives the front office options, whether to draft or flip it in another deal.
There’s also the possibility of a goaltender being part of the equation, especially if St. Louis decides to move on from Jordan Binnington at some point. Or, if the right prospects aren’t available, the Blues might be open to a package heavy on draft picks-assets that could be used to build through the draft or as trade chips down the line.
It’s unlikely we see a move of that magnitude during the season. But as we inch closer to the 2026 NHL Draft, don’t be surprised if the Blues become one of the more active teams on the trade front.
They’re not rebuilding in the traditional sense, but they’re definitely reshaping. And if the right offer comes along, even a cornerstone piece like Robert Thomas could be part of that evolution.