Blues Captain Brayden Schenn Sparks Late Rally, Raises Trade Value in Crucial Stretch
With just 17 minutes left on the clock Tuesday night, the St. Louis Blues looked like they were headed for a quiet, forgettable loss against the Dallas Stars.
Down 3-0, the energy was flat, the offense stagnant, and the outcome all but sealed. But then Brayden Schenn happened.
It started with Robby Fabbri breaking through early in the third, notching his first goal of the season and giving the Blues a pulse. From there, Schenn took over.
The captain buried two wrist shots from the slot-both vintage finishes that reminded everyone of the offensive punch he's capable of delivering. Just like that, the game was tied, and the Blues had life.
Sure, Dallas would ultimately escape with the win in regulation, but the story here isn’t about the final score. It’s about a captain who, under fire for much of the season, delivered when his team needed it most-and in doing so, may have shifted the narrative around his future in St. Louis.
A Statement Week for Schenn
Let’s be honest-Brayden Schenn’s season hasn’t exactly gone to script. Coming into the week, he was carrying a team-worst -25 rating and had just 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) to show for his efforts. For a player with a $6.5 million AAV contract and a letter on his chest, that kind of production was drawing plenty of scrutiny.
There’s been open discussion about the Blues looking to move Schenn before the trade deadline, and with those numbers, it wasn’t hard to see why. Between the cap hit and the dip in performance, he wasn’t exactly a hot commodity. But hockey is a game of timing-and Schenn might be finding his just in time.
In the span of two games, Schenn has surged to the top of the Blues' goal-scoring list with 12 on the year. More importantly, he’s doing it in high-leverage moments, showing the kind of leadership and clutch scoring that teams in playoff contention crave. These aren’t empty-netters or stat-padding goals-they’re momentum-shifting plays that change the feel of a game.
Trade Winds Picking Up
Make no mistake: Schenn’s name is still very much in trade conversations. And while that’s tough news for fans who’ve seen him wear the ‘C’ with pride, the rationale is clear.
Schenn is 32, and his contract doesn’t align with the Blues’ youth-driven direction. This is a team in transition, and maximizing the return on veteran assets is part of that process.
But what Schenn’s recent play has done is change the math. A week ago, his value was murky.
Now? He’s playing his best hockey of the season, showing teams exactly what he can bring to a playoff push-experience, grit, and timely scoring.
That’s the kind of package that can move the needle for a contender, and it gives GM Doug Armstrong and special advisor Alex Steen a real opportunity to capitalize.
If the Blues are going to accelerate this retool, getting top-tier value for Schenn could be a key piece of the puzzle. And if this past week is any indication, the timing couldn’t be better.
Final Word
Brayden Schenn’s resurgence doesn’t erase the challenges the Blues have faced this season, but it does offer a spark-both on the ice and in the front office. Whether he stays or goes, Schenn’s recent play is a reminder of the kind of impact a veteran leader can have, even in a season full of uncertainty. And for a team looking to build something new, that kind of performance might be just what they need to take the next step.