The NHL trade deadline always brings its share of drama, and this year was no exception. The buzz centered around Robert Thomas potentially heading to the Utah Mammoth.
However, the Mammoth hesitated, balking at the Blues’ steep asking price. Instead, they shifted their focus to MacKenzie Weegar, leaving Thomas in St.
Louis for now.
Post-deadline discussions suggest Thomas's future with the Blues is uncertain. The team seems open to exploring trade options in the offseason, though a move to Utah appears unlikely.
The Mammoth recently extended center Nick Schmaltz with an eight-year, $8 million AAV deal, mirroring Thomas’s cap hit. This decision makes it improbable for Thomas to replace Schmaltz on Utah’s top line.
If the Blues are intent on trading Thomas, they’ll need to revisit other interested teams. While the Mammoth’s extension of Schmaltz suggests they’re stepping back, it doesn’t entirely rule out future negotiations.
Utah might reconsider if the asking price for Thomas changes, though their $17 million cap space for next season will be tight. They have several UFAs to address and need to negotiate a new contract for RFA Barrett Hayton, along with finding a goalie with Vitek Vanacek hitting free agency.
Given these constraints, the Mammoth might find it challenging to make a deal work. The Blues could turn their attention to teams like the Boston Bruins or the New York Islanders, who have shown interest in Thomas.
As the offseason unfolds, it will be intriguing to see if the Blues can move Thomas or if he remains a fixture in St. Louis for the foreseeable future.