Blues Ship Out Bjugstad, Claim Finley, and Signal a Shift in Strategy Ahead of Deadline
The St. Louis Blues made an early move ahead of the trade deadline, sending forward Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2026 and forward Thomas Bordeleau. It’s a deal that doesn’t scream blockbuster, but it speaks volumes about where the Blues are headed-and it’s not toward an all-in playoff push.
Bjugstad, signed just this past offseason to a two-year, $3.5 million deal, was initially brought in to help stabilize the bottom six, essentially stepping into the role vacated by Radek Faksa. But less than a season into that plan, the Blues are pivoting. The trade marks a clear shift in approach, and the front office isn’t wasting time reshaping the roster.
Enter Jack Finley: A Big Body with Bottom-Six Potential
Just days after moving Bjugstad, the Blues claimed Jack Finley off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Finley, a second-round pick back in 2020, brings size-serious size. At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, he’s built like a power forward from a different era, and he can slot in at either center or right wing, the exact spots Bjugstad covered.
Finley’s numbers don’t leap off the page-just three points in 22 games this season-but that’s not why you bring in a player like him. He’s a physical presence, a grinder, and a potential tone-setter for the bottom lines.
And the fact that he’s a St. Louis native?
That’s just a bonus. Whether he gets a look on the fourth line or potentially works his way up to the third, he gives the Blues a different flavor-grit, size, and a little local pride.
This move suggests the Blues are leaning into a more physical identity, possibly hoping to replicate the kind of late-season surge they made last year. But even if that push doesn’t materialize, the team is clearly laying groundwork for a longer-term retool.
Bordeleau and the Bigger Picture
In return for Bjugstad, the Blues picked up a conditional fourth-rounder and Thomas Bordeleau, a skilled but still-developing forward who’s expected to report to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. Bordeleau adds some depth to a minor-league squad that’s in need of a boost, but he’s not expected to make an immediate NHL impact.
The draft pick, though modest, is another asset in the bank. And that’s what this trade really looks like: asset management.
The Blues aren’t chasing a playoff spot with reckless abandon. They’re being deliberate, stacking picks, and staying active in the market.
That last part is key-because if Bjugstad, a recent free-agent addition, is already on the move, then no one’s off-limits. The Blues are open for business.
Big Names Could Be in Play
There’s already chatter that Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou could be part of trade discussions. Those aren’t just depth pieces-those are core players with real value. Any one of them could bring back a significant return, whether it’s a high draft pick or a player who can help reshape the roster.
That doesn’t necessarily mean a fire sale is coming, but it does mean the Blues are listening. And with the Olympic break offering a window to regroup and reassess, the front office has time to make smart, calculated moves before the March deadline.
What This Means for the Blues Right Now
The Bjugstad trade, followed by the Finley claim, sends a clear message: the Blues are shifting gears. They’re not selling the farm, but they’re not doubling down on this season either. They’re threading the needle-staying competitive while looking toward the future.
Whether that future includes more moves involving big-name players remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: the Blues are active, adaptable, and not afraid to shake things up.
This isn’t a team clinging to the past. It’s one trying to build toward something more sustainable. And if that means taking a step back now to take two steps forward later, then this trade might be just the beginning.