Blues Know What they Want In Return for Robert Thomas

If the St. Louis Blues are going to trade forward Robert Thomas, they know what they want in return. Elliotte Friedman dove into it on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast and said there are two things the Blues have on their checklist if teams want to talk deal.

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Friedman got into the weeds on a few big names on the trade block. Among them was Thomas, who might be available for the right price. Well, that price is high, according to the NHL insider.

He explained:

“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.”

He added, “So it is either a huge package that makes them say we can’t say no to this or the other thing I have heard, is they’re looking for like a stud top-six forward who’s slightly younger than Thomas.”

Friedman suggested the Blues are probably looking at somebody who is 22 to 24 years old. “It’s like leasing a Toyota, Kyle. You finish with one model, then you trade it in for a slightly younger model.” He said that’s how the Blues see this Thomas trade unfolding if they’re going to make it.

As for who the Blues might have their eyes on, Friedman didn’t go that far. There was no ideal target mentioned, nor was there a suggestion that GM Doug Armstrong had spoken with any particular teams.

However, Friedman reiterated that there were only two ways this deal worked. The Blues have to be offered a younger Robert Thomas or a big package they can’t say no to. “Then we’re talking. Other than that, it’s not happening.”

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