The Blues dodged a nightmare scenario when Zach Werenski’s name started floating around the trade market.
With Columbus talks breaking down, the 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner is expected to be on the move during today’s free-agency window, and Dallas had reportedly emerged as the team willing to put together a trade Columbus could work with. But Werenski declined to waive his no-trade clause, and that kept him from landing in the Central Division.
That matters in a big way for St. Louis.
The division already features elite blue-liners, and the thought of Werenski joining Dallas would have added another heavyweight to the list. As Darren Dreger put it, "I believe Dallas was team that stepped up and presented a trade option CBJ was willing to work with.
Sounds like Werenski’s preference is to stay east."
For the Blues, the relief is obvious. They already have enough to handle without another star defenseman parked in the division.
The bigger issue for St. Louis is still internal: where does its own top defenseman come from?
Colton Parayko has been "the guy" for years, but that label is starting to fade after last season’s rough showing. The organization’s hope is that Philip Broberg can grow into that role after landing a contract extension with an AAV of $8 million.
Logan Mailloux is part of that picture, too. He could wind up as a partner for Broberg and give the Blues a young pairing with real upside, something that could develop into a long-term answer much like Devon Toews and Makar in Colorado.
That’s the lane St. Louis has to live in now.
With Alexander Steen stepping into the general manager chair today, the priority isn’t chasing outside help. It’s building its own star power and developing it from within.