The chatter around St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou has been a hot topic for a while now.
Over the summer, there was talk of Kyrou being involved in a potential trade with the Montreal Canadiens, but that never materialized. Instead, the Blues reaffirmed their commitment to Kyrou, emphasizing his importance to the team.
However, the narrative seems to be shifting.
According to insider David Pagnotta, Kyrou is now open to waiving his no-trade clause as the NHL trade deadline approaches. This clause gives him full control over any potential trade, meaning his consent is crucial for any deal to go through.
Kyrou's willingness to consider a move hinges on finding the “right situation.” For the 27-year-old forward, that likely means joining a contending team where he can secure a top-six role. The challenge, however, is that most contenders don’t have openings in their top lines.
Then there's the issue of his contract. Kyrou's deal, which runs for five more seasons at $8.125 million per year, presents a significant hurdle. Most contending teams are already tight against the salary cap, making it tough to accommodate such a contract.
Emerging teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks have been cautious with their cap space, preparing for future contracts for their young stars. If the Blues lower their asking price, a trade could become feasible, but that remains uncertain. In the NHL, things can change rapidly, and a trade could happen unexpectedly.
It’s possible that a team previously interested in Kyrou might revisit the idea and strike a deal. While this is speculative, injuries and shifts in team momentum can quickly alter the landscape.
With NHL rosters set to unfreeze on February 23, and considering last year’s post-Olympic trade frenzy, we might see a surge in activity once the international games conclude.