The St. Louis Blues have an interesting summer ahead of them. After exceeding expectations last season and advancing to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team aims to build upon that success while laying a strong foundation for the future. For general manager Doug Armstrong, there are ways to accomplish this, including making one or more trades. Based on these goals, along with past evidence, the Blues are expected to make at least one trade this summer.
The Blues Will Make a Trade This Summer
The Blues Goals This Summer
Shed Salary
The idea of shedding the cap was mentioned around the trade deadline. At the time, Armstrong was interested in shedding a large contract from the cap. Whether that remains an interest of his is unknown. However, we do know that Jordan Kyrou‘s contract has a no-trade clause that takes effect on July 1, which would make moving a large contract harder than if it were done before.
However, Torey Krug‘s health situation may change the cap-shedding plans. Krug is likely to return to long-term injured reserve for the 2025-26 season, meaning his $6.5 million cap hit will not count against the Blues. This turn of events may lead Armstrong to decide that moving a large contract is not needed, although he may look for other ways to shed cap.
Create Opportunities for the Youth
Despite making the playoffs last year, the Blues are still in a retool. They are hoping to see progress from young players who will create a strong foundation for the future. The Blues saw good things from Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. Jimmy Snuggerud made his much-anticipated NHL debut and even played in the playoffs. Dalibor Dvorsky had a cup of coffee at the NHL level. However, he may need some more time in the American Hockey League. Furthermore, Tyler Tucker and Matthew Kessel are looking for opportunities on the Blues defence.
A trade would help open spots for these youngsters. Aside from Holloway, Broberg, and Snuggerud, no other youngsters have a place in the team’s lineup. Brayden Schenn has continued to pop up in rumours, as has Justin Faulk. Trading either of these players would create opportunities for young players like Dvorsky, Tucker, and Kessel.
Other players could be moved whose names have not emerged in rumours, such as Oskar Sundqvist and Nick Leddy.
Acquiring a Second-Line Centre
Adding a second-line centre would help the Blues contend in the Western Conference next season. With Robert Thomas locked in at the top-centre position, adding a true second-line centre would help shape the Blues lines as well as prevent players from playing in a position that may not fit their current style of play.
Sam Bennett will be the biggest name on the centre market this summer, assuming he reaches free agency. There is speculation that the Blues may engage in negotiations with him. Still, if the price tag rises too high, Armstrong will likely back off. Even if Bennett does not work out, there are other options for the Blues to upgrade at centre. This could involve a trade. Marco Rossi‘s name has popped up in trade rumours. Ivan Barbashev is also rumoured to be on the trade block. While he has not traditionally played center, he has played in the top six the last few seasons.
Past Evidence
In his career, Armstrong has been active in the trade market during the summer months. While the activity has been consistent, what has differed is the reasoning behind Armstrong’s trades.
Improve the Team
Schenn, O’Reilly, and Pavel Buchnevich are all players that Armstrong has acquired via trade in the summer. All have played significant roles for the Blues and have been integral to the team’s core. These players have helped the Blues move the needle and, in the case of Schenn and O’Reilly, have contributed to the Blues winning the Stanley Cup.
What makes these trades even more impressive is the relatively small packages Armstrong has sent in exchange for these players. The biggest name traded by Armstrong has been Tage Thompson. Armstrong may work his magic again this summer.
Shed Cap
Building a Stanley Cup contender did push the Blues to the cap limit. As a result, Armstrong has had to look for ways to shed cap. In recent summers, Armstrong has accomplished that via trades.
Following the 2019-20 season (which did not occur in the summer due to COVID-19, but we will count it), Armstrong traded Jake Allen to avoid having to pay two goalie starter salaries. In the summer of 2021, the Buchnevich trade also cleared Sammy Blais‘s salary from the cap. Two summers later, Armstrong attempted to trade Krug, but the defenceman exercised his no-trade clause to veto the trade. The following summer, however, Armstrong was successful in trading Kevin Hayes and his salary.
The Biggest Reason Why the Blues Will Make a Trade This Summer
All the evidence suggests that a trade will occur this summer. The Blues have multiple needs that can be addressed via trade. Furthermore, Armstrong has a strong track record of being active in the summer.
However, the biggest reason why Armstrong will make a trade is he wants to leave the team in a strong place by the time he hands the reigns to Alexander Steen. Not every move Armstrong has made in his career has been perfect, but he has always been committed to improving the Blues for the future. Now that we are approaching a future that does not include Armstrong as general manager, he will look to put the team in the best position possible for when Steen takes over.
Will it be Schenn? Will it be Faulk? Could it bring in a second-line centre? We do not know. However, we do know that Armstrong will be making a trade this summer.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
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