NHL Trade Talk Recap: Blues, Maple Leafs, Vegas & Matthews Surprise

This edition (May 23, 2026) of NHL Trade Talk Recap includes three quick catch-ups. The Blues look like they’re shopping to jump into the top three at the draft. The Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews has proven he’s more than just a scorer by blocking shots like a grinder. And the Golden Knights’ Mitch Marner’s move has freed him to play more naturally.

All three stories show how fit, role, and context can flip the way players (and teams) are judged.

Blues Hunting a Top-3 Pick

Sounds like the Blues want to move up in the draft and aren’t shy about wheeling and dealing. With three first-rounders and picks No. 11 and 15, they’ve got the ammo to try for a top-three spot. Alex Steen takes over as GM in July and might want to make a splash, and Darren Dreger says San Jose could be open to trading down.

Jordan Kyrou’s name keeps popping up as the kind of piece St. Louis could throw into a package to jump to No. 2 or 3. Nothing official yet, but the Blues have been willing to move major pieces before, so if the Sharks are listening, expect calls.

Blues Looking to Move Up in the Draft, Big Trade On the Table

Matthews Isn’t Just a Goal Machine

Auston Matthews showing up near the top of the league in blocks per game quietly busts the “all offence, no grit” stereotype. He ranked third last season, right alongside known shot-blockers. He played fewer games than some ahead of him, so the totals are lower. But the per-game rate shows that Matthews consistently puts himself in lanes and chooses the ugly stuff.

That habit changes how you use and value him. He’s not a shutdown forward, but coaches can trust him in tight moments because he’ll do the little, painful things that don’t make highlight reels. In short, he finishes chances, and he’s willing to take hits for the team.

More Than Goals: The Hidden Side of Matthews’ Game

Marner, Unburdened — A Change of Scenery

Mitch Marner’s not suddenly a different player. He always had the vision, the hands, and the creativity. What’s changed is the setting. In Toronto, he carried a huge, sometimes unfair load, expected to do everything while the spotlight never let up. That pressure made him look constricted and made every dip a storyline. In Vegas, he’s not the lone answer. He’s one of several weapons.

Now that he’s got a deeper, more balanced crew around him, Marner’s playing way looser. Teammates know their jobs; he can hang onto the puck, make plays, and just looks way more confident. It’s proof that the right fit matters as much as raw talent.

Marner’s Revival in Vegas Shows the Power of Role Over Reputation

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