The Carolina Hurricanes are never shy about making bold, calculated moves, especially when they believe a core piece could push them closer to a Stanley Cup. According to David Pagnotta on The Sheet (Jan. 23), the St. Louis Blues would require a massive return to even entertain moving Robert Thomas, noting that teams would have to “blow them out of the water.” Pagnotta also added an intriguing wrinkle — that Carolina could be willing to include top defense prospect Alexander Nikishin in a deal for a player of Thomas’ caliber.
If that’s truly the asking price, it speaks volumes about both how highly St. Louis values Thomas and how aggressively Carolina may be looking to upgrade its forward group.
Why Robert Thomas Fits Carolina’s Needs
Robert Thomas has evolved into one of the NHL’s more well-rounded centers. He’s a driving play forward and puck possession player who can absorb tough minutes, play top-transition hockey, and complement skilled wings. He’s signed long-term and checks Carolina’s box marks: cost certainty and prime-age talent.
Generally speaking, for a Hurricanes team that excels at controlling the territory but struggles to convert in crunch time, the exceptional vision capabilities offered by Thomas could be the missing piece the team needs. Thomas would step right in as the Hurricanes’ top-six winger.
Why St. Louis Would Target Nikishin
If the Blues ultimately choose to trade Thomas, it will show they have clearly shifted their focus to building around younger, more controlled players. As mentioned above, as Pagnotta stated, there is an overwhelming belief that if the Blues trade him, St. Louis will highly focus on ensuring they receive a young defenseman in return, and Nikishin now is no longer considered simply an elite prospect but has instead made the jump to North America and is currently playing and producing for the Hurricanes, registering six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 50 games during the 2025-26 NHL schedule, while also holding up an impressive +12 rating through the entire year thus far at the tender age of 24 years old.
That alone, of course, would not be enough to soothe the blow of losing a player like Thomas. St. Louis also needs another forward who is ready to step into a major offensive contributor’s shoes, and this is where Jackson Blake enters as a vital part of this equation. At age 22, Blake is taking his career to another level this season with 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points through 51 games and is starting to make his mark as a true top-six forward. Blake is a goal-scorer with speed and scoring vision who will allow another piece of Thomas’ production to be replaced as part of this revamped lineup.
The Hurricanes’ Dilemma: Future vs. Now
Adding Nikishin would not be an easy choice for the Hurricanes. Nikishin is the kind of power-hitting prospect teams rarely trade away. Still, the Hurricanes have entered win-now mode with a core in place and sustained playoff appearances, but not a Stanley Cup to show for it.
It also has organizational defense depth in the NHL and has traditionally excelled in rearing NHL defensemen. If management feels that Thomas increases their Stanley Cup odds during this window of competition, it might be a calculated risk they’re prepared to take by trading their potential superstar of the future.
Potential Trade Proposal
To Carolina Hurricanes:
- Robert Thomas
To St. Louis Blues:
- Alexander Nikishin
- Jackson Blake
- 2026 first-round pick
This package aligns with the Blues’ reported demands: a high-end young defenseman, a potential top-six forward, and a premium draft pick. It also reflects the “blow them out of the water” standard Pagnotta suggested would be necessary to move Thomas.
Is This the Right Move for Both Sides?
For Carolina, acquiring Thomas would be a statement—an admission that incremental upgrades may no longer be enough. For St. Louis, it would represent a difficult but potentially necessary reset, converting an elite center into multiple cornerstone pieces.
Whether the Hurricanes are ultimately willing to move Nikishin remains to be seen, but the fact that his name is even being mentioned underscores just how serious Carolina may be about chasing a championship.
If this framework gains traction, it could become one of the most impactful trades of the season.
Next: Blues Know What they Want In Return for Robert Thomas
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