Blues Facing Trade Deadline Dilemma with Big Contracts on the Books
As the NHL trade deadline looms, the St. Louis Blues find themselves in a tricky spot.
They've got assets teams might want-but moving those pieces won’t be easy. Why?
Because the Blues’ top trade candidates all come with significant term and price tags north of $6 million per year. That’s a tough sell in a league where 10 of the 16 current playoff-positioned teams are working with less than $3 million in cap space.
Let’s break down the situation.
Big Names, Big Cap Hits
Start with Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou-two cornerstone forwards locked in at $8.125 million annually for the next five years, each with a no-move clause. These are top-tier talents, no doubt, but their contracts are built for stability, not deadline flexibility. Unless the Blues are willing to retain salary or take money back, these deals are more likely to be offseason conversations than trade-deadline fireworks.
On the blue line, Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko each carry $6.5 million cap hits. Faulk’s in the final year of his deal and has a 15-team no-trade list, while Parayko has four years left and a full no-move clause. Again, these are veteran defensemen with value, but moving them in-season would require some financial gymnastics.
Brayden Schenn is in a similar boat-two more years at $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. And then there’s Jordan Binnington, who has one year left at $6 million and a 14-team no-trade list. He’s been a polarizing figure in net, but his playoff pedigree could appeal to a contender-if the Blues are willing to eat some of that salary.
Depth Pieces Could Be Easier to Move
While the headline names are complicated, there are some more flexible options. Pius Suter, Oskar Sundqvist, and Mathieu Joseph are all players who could draw interest from teams looking to shore up their bottom six or add some playoff experience. These are the types of moves that don’t make headlines but can make a difference in a long postseason run.
Maple Leafs Trade Outlook: Who’s Staying, Who Might Be Packing
Over in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are sorting their roster into clear trade tiers as the deadline approaches. And let’s be honest-this is a team that knows exactly who it is and what it needs.
Locked In: The Core Isn’t Going Anywhere
Auston Matthews and William Nylander? Untouchable. These are franchise players, full stop.
In the “almost certainly staying” group, you’ve got Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev, John Tavares, and Joseph Woll. These players are either key to the current roster or part of the team’s long-term vision.
Contractual Anchors
Some players are likely staying put simply because of their contracts. That includes Max Domi (two years at $3.75 million with a 13-team no-trade list), Dakota Joshua (two years at $3.25 million), and Matias Maccelli (a pending RFA at $3.4 million).
Morgan Rielly, at $7.5 million with a no-move clause, could be an offseason discussion, but don’t expect movement now. Anthony Stolarz’s four-year deal doesn’t even kick in until after the season.
Most Likely to Be on the Move
If Toronto’s going to make a move, look to Calle Jarnkrok (pending UFA at $2.1 million), Scott Laughton (also a pending UFA-Toronto gave up a first and a prospect for him last year), and Bobby McMann (pending UFA at $1.35 million). These are manageable contracts, and moving them could create the flexibility needed for a bigger swing.
Could Go, But Would Raise Eyebrows
Brandon Carlo has one year left at $3.485 million. Toronto gave up a 2026 first and Fraser Minten to get him, so they’d need a strong return. Steven Lorentz (two years at $1.35 million) and Nicolas Roy (one year left at $3 million) fall into the same category-possible, but not expected.
Don’t Be Shocked If They’re Dealt
There’s a handful of names that wouldn’t surprise anyone if they’re moved. Simon Benoit (one year at $1.35 million), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (two years at $3.5 million-might take a first-rounder to move him), Philippe Myers (one year at $850,000), Nick Robertson (pending RFA), and Troy Stecher (pending UFA) are all in play.
Bottom Line
The Blues are in a classic cap-era bind: they’ve got desirable players, but the contracts complicate everything. Unless they’re willing to retain salary or get creative with money coming back, don’t expect a blockbuster. Smaller moves involving depth players are far more likely.
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, have a clear sense of who they are. The core is locked in, but there’s room to maneuver on the margins. Whether they make a splash or play it safe, Toronto’s front office has options-and a fanbase expecting action.