As the 2025-26 NHL season moves past the halfway mark and the March 6 trade deadline draws closer, trade chatter around the league is starting to heat up. One name quietly gaining traction is a $65 million Stanley Cup champion from the St. Louis Blues. And if he becomes available, it could send shockwaves across the market.
With the Blues sitting near the bottom of the standings, league insiders believe St. Louis is at least listening to major pieces as it evaluates the direction of its roster.
NHL on Alert as $65M Stanley Cup Winner Hits the Radar
Blues forward Robert Thomas has emerged as a surprising but intriguing name in trade discussions. The 26-year-old is in the third season of his eight-year, $65 million contract. He won the Stanley Cup in 2019 with the Blues.
Speaking on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said the Blues would only consider moving Thomas if the return blew them away. “Robert Thomas, that’s an interesting one. I’ve spent a few days looking into that. He’s 26 years old, he’ll be 27 in July. What it sounds like, if the Blues really wanted to do this … you make them say there’s no way we can say no,” Friedman said.
Thomas has posted 33 points in 42 games this season and remains one of the league’s most reliable two-way centers. According to Friedman, the Blues would either want a massive collection of elite assets or a younger, high-end top-six forward to justify such a move. Ideally, that player would fall in the 22-to-24 age range.
Friedman likened the concept to upgrading models, suggesting St. Louis would only trade Thomas if it meant acquiring a slightly younger version with similar upside.
Complicating matters is Thomas’ full no-trade clause, which gives him complete control over his future. Any deal would require his approval. Still, his manageable cap hit and long-term security make him a desirable option for contending teams.
Detroit Among Teams Watching Closely
The idea of Thomas becoming available has also caught the attention of analysts around the league. The Athletic’s Max Bultman echoed Friedman’s assessment and identified the Detroit Red Wings as a potential fit.
Bultman noted, “If St. Louis is really listening on Thomas, he’s the kind of player it would make sense to go all-in for. He would immediately make Detroit more dangerous this year and give them a long-term top-six center to pair with Dylan Larkin.”
Landing a player of Thomas’ caliber would come at a steep cost. Considering his age, contract, and consistent production, the asking price would likely include three or four high-end assets. At least one is a young, NHL-ready cornerstone.
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For now, it remains unclear whether the Blues will actually move him. Thomas is still in St. Louis as the team shifts its attention back to the ice ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against the Dallas Stars. Still, with the trade deadline looming, this is a storyline worth keeping a close eye on.
