The St. Louis Blues find themselves in a tough spot as they sit near the bottom of the NHL standings.
With the Olympic break offering a chance to regroup, they're still ranked as the third-worst team in the Western Conference. This situation might force the team to make some challenging decisions, particularly concerning key players like Robert Thomas.
Thomas, a standout center for the Blues, is known for his consistent scoring, averaging nearly a point per game. At 26, he's not only a core player but also locked into a long-term contract, making him an attractive trade option. For the first time, Thomas is addressing the trade rumors swirling around him.
“It’s part of it. We know where we’re at in the standings,” Thomas shared on Friday.
“When you’re in this position, stuff like that happens. You’ve just got to own it.
I’m a big part of the reason we’re here to where we’re at. I know stuff like that’s going to come and go.
It’s been happening for the last couple of years.”
However, trading Thomas isn't straightforward. His contract includes a full no-trade clause, giving him complete control over any potential move. For now, Thomas is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding this aspect.
“I don’t really want to talk too much about it now. We’ll talk about it later,” he said about his no-trade clause.
“I have one. That’s kind of where we’re at.”
The Blues are set to hit the ice again on February 26th against the Seattle Kraken, a game that could be pivotal as they look to turn their season around.