Doug Armstrong isn’t exactly known for being shy, but the current state of the St. Louis Blues has him leaning into a level of "open for business" that we haven't seen since the pre-2019 era. Honestly, it’s getting a little wild out there. While the team is technically only five points back of a wild-card spot as of mid-January 2026, the vibe around Enterprise Center feels much heavier than a simple "playoff push" slump.
The Blues are currently sitting with a record of 18-21-8. That’s not just mediocre; it’s a flashing red light for a front office that realizes this specific core—the one that’s been treading water for years—is basically cooked.
According to insiders like Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun, the Saint Louis Blues trade rumors aren't just about moving a few expiring contracts anymore. Armstrong has reportedly told rival GMs that he doesn't care if the team makes the playoffs this year because he knows they aren't built to beat a heavyweight like Colorado in a seven-game series. He’s looking at the long game. And that means nobody is safe. Not even the captain. Not even the franchise center.
The Robert Thomas Bombshell: Is the Unthinkable Actually Happening?
If you had asked a Blues fan two months ago if Robert Thomas was available, they would have laughed. He’s 26. He’s a point-per-game center. He’s signed through 2031 at $8.125 million a year. He is, for all intents and purposes, the face of the franchise.
But things change fast when you’re 29th in the league standings.
Chris Johnston recently dropped a bit of a localized nuke by mentioning that Thomas’s name has started to circulate in trade chatter. Let’s be clear: trading Thomas would be a seismic event in the NHL. You don’t just "find" another top-line center in his prime. However, if Armstrong is truly committed to a "scorched earth" rebuild to clear space for the next wave of kids like Dalibor Dvorsky and Jimmy Snuggerud, Thomas is the one asset that brings back a "king's ransom." We’re talking multiple unprotected first-round picks and a blue-chip prospect.
Is it likely? Maybe not tomorrow. But the fact that his name is even being whispered tells you exactly how fed up Armstrong is with the current roster's lack of "passion and spirit," a phrase head coach Jim Montgomery has been using a lot lately.
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Brayden Schenn and the Veteran Fire Sale
While the Thomas talk is the "shiny object," the more immediate Saint Louis Blues trade rumors involve the veterans who actually have some playoff pedigree left in the tank.
Brayden Schenn is the name you’re going to hear every single day until March 6. The captain is 34 now. He’s got 19 points in 47 games, which isn't world-beating, but he’s still a monster in the faceoff circle (over 54%) and he plays that heavy, playoff-style hockey that contenders crave.
- Washington Capitals: They are looking for a veteran center because they aren't quite ready to give Hendrix Lapierre 18 minutes a night.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Always looking for "grit."
- Montreal Canadiens: They’ve been linked, though they might be looking for more of a long-term fit.
Schenn has a 15-team no-trade list, so he has some control, but at this point in his career, he likely wants one more run at a Cup. The Blues moving him would be the ultimate signal that the 2019 era is officially a closed chapter.
The Justin Faulk to Florida Connection
Then there's the defensive corps. Justin Faulk is having a surprisingly decent offensive season, and that has caught the eye of the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are basically the NHL's version of a hungry hippo right now—they want everything that can help them secure a third straight championship, especially with Seth Jones out of their lineup.
A rumored deal that’s gained some traction involves Faulk heading to Sunrise in exchange for a package centered around a 2026 second-round pick and a prospect like Vladislav Lukashevich. The catch? The money. The Blues would almost certainly have to eat a chunk of Faulk’s $6.5 million salary or take back a contract like Evan Rodrigues to make the math work.
Armstrong has shown he’s willing to do this. He’s done it before. Clearing Faulk doesn't just net a pick; it opens up a massive hole on the right side for Logan Mailloux to step into a top-four role permanently.
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Jordan Binnington and the Goalie Market
We have to talk about the man in the crease. Jordan Binnington has been the backbone of this team for years, but the stats this season aren't pretty—a 3.53 GAA and a sub-.880 save percentage.
Meanwhile, Joel Hofer is waiting in the wings. Hofer has looked more composed and, frankly, more like a future starter.
Binnington still carries that "winner" aura. There are teams out there—think Colorado or maybe even a desperate Edmonton—who might believe a change of scenery and a better defensive system could restore Binner to his former glory. If Armstrong can get a first-round pick for Binnington, he’d be crazy not to take it. The goalie market is always thin, and a Cup-winning goalie is a rare commodity at the deadline.
Why Now? The "Sutter/Broberg" Context
The Blues' roster is currently a weird mix of "too old" and "too young." You have guys like Ryan Suter and Justin Faulk eating up minutes, while Philip Broberg (when he’s not in concussion protocol) and Matthew Kessel are trying to prove they belong.
The injury to Robert Thomas—he was just placed on IR with a lower-body issue—basically seals the deal. Without their top center for at least two weeks, the Blues are likely to slide further down the Central Division standings.
Current Central Division Standings (Snapshot)
- Colorado Avalanche: 74 pts (The monsters of the West)
- Dallas Stars: 63 pts
- Minnesota Wild: 61 pts
... - St. Louis Blues: 46 pts
When you're 28 points behind the division leader, you aren't a "player" away. You're an "entire philosophy" away.
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The Strategy Moving Forward
If you're following the Saint Louis Blues trade rumors, don't expect a flurry of moves tonight. The market is currently "dry," as Elliotte Friedman put it. GMs are waiting for the Olympic roster freeze in February to see who is healthy and who is desperate.
Armstrong is playing a game of chicken. He’s set high prices for Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich because they are signed long-term. He doesn't have to move them. But for the expiring deals and the older vets? He's ready.
What should fans actually look for?
- The "Retain" Factor: Watch if the Blues are willing to eat 50% of a salary. If they do, the return (picks/prospects) will double.
- The Youth Movement: Every time a vet sits, it means Otto Stenberg or Zack Bolduc gets more ice time. That's the real goal for the rest of 2026.
- The 2026 Draft: This draft is deep. Armstrong wants three first-rounders. He’s currently got his own, but he wants more.
The era of "retooling on the fly" appears to be over in St. Louis. It’s a hard pill to swallow for a fan base used to consistent playoff hockey, but honestly, it’s the only way back to the top. Keeping this group together just to finish 19th in the league is a recipe for a decade of irrelevance.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the waiver wire and the "healthy scratch" lists over the next three weeks. If a guy like Justin Faulk or Oskar Sundqvist suddenly sits out for "roster management reasons," you know the trigger has been pulled. The Blues are about to look very different by mid-March.
For those tracking specific assets, focus your attention on the Washington Capitals' scouts—they've been spotted at Enterprise Center more than once lately, and they aren't there for the toasted ravioli. The Schenn watch is officially on high alert.