What young NHL Center do you want?

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a smell of green grass
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What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by a smell of green grass »

My hope is that the Blues can somehow trade their veteran(s) for the next "Tage Thompson", a young 1C that is envied across the NHL. Essentially, I'd like to see the Blues pull off a ROR<=>Tage Thompson in reverse.

If that is not possible, I would even be happy with a solid 2C/3C. We need more depth and youth at C.

I personally like these young Centers, in order of preference
James Hagens (Boston)
Fedor Svechkov (Nashville)
Fraser Minton (Boston)
Ryan Winterton (Seattle)
Owen Beck (Montreal)
Noah Ostlund (Buffalo)
Jiri Kulish (Buffalo) - Blood Clot injury

Thoughts?
Pierre McGuire
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Pierre McGuire »

Where is Hage? He’s the one you want
a smell of green grass
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by a smell of green grass »

Pierre McGuire wrote: 25 Jan 2026 14:25 pm Where is Hage? He’s the one you want
Forgot about him. He was great at the WJC. He would be at the top of the list as you say.
SameOldBlues
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by SameOldBlues »

Owen Beck - 3rd line C

Fedor Svechkov - 2nd line C, maybe

Fraser Minton - middle 6 C

Ryan Winterton - bottom 6 C

These are the players you’re pining for to be future superstar players for the Blues? Better do better Google searches before ya trade away the actual talent the Blues do have.
The Average Gatsby
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by The Average Gatsby »

I’ll go with Shane Wright for 2 reasons:

1. He’s available.
2. You can get him without moving Thomas.

I’d also be interested in Nate Danielson from Detroit or Konsta Helenius from Buffalo but not in exchange for Thomas and I doubt either team would trade them.
Harry S Deals
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Harry S Deals »

Konsta is a good play he's doing well in Rochester at his age he's quick great defender too id be interested in him or Nate Danielson
Pierre McGuire
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Pierre McGuire »

Harry S Deals wrote: 25 Jan 2026 16:38 pm Konsta is a good play he's doing well in Rochester at his age he's quick great defender too id be interested in him or Nate Danielson
Helenius is up and playing very well for the Sabres, no way they are moving him. He had 3pts in his 2nd game. Sabres are a fun watch and my goto team right now.
Detroit has a lot of young talent but I don’t see them moving Danielson unless they are getting a big name in return.
a smell of green grass
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by a smell of green grass »

Conclusion:

Buffalo can trade ROR for a star young 1C, but it is very unlikely for the Blues to trade Thomas for the same. We shall see what Army can do, if anything.

History often shows that Army comes up with the short side of the stick.

On the good side, if we are stuck with Thomas, Kyrou, Buchnevich, Parayko, and Faulk for the next 5 years because they are un-tradeable, we will get all sorts of TOP5 draft picks.
The Average Gatsby
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by The Average Gatsby »

a smell of green grass wrote: 25 Jan 2026 16:45 pm Conclusion:

Buffalo can trade ROR for a star young 1C, but it is very unlikely for the Blues to trade Thomas for the same. We shall see what Army can do, if anything.

History often shows that Army comes up with the short side of the stick.

On the good side, if we are stuck with Thomas, Kyrou, Buchnevich, Parayko, and Faulk for the next 5 years because they are un-tradeable, we will get all sorts of TOP5 draft picks.
The actual conclusion is that Thomas is light years better than any center you mentioned, and probably better than any center we could get in return for him.

You seem to have forgotten this but Thompson didn’t really accomplish anything for the short time he played for the Blues. He certainly wasn’t a star and he mostly wasn’t a center either. You could make the argument that we should’ve been more patient with his development but at the end of the day we don’t win the cup without ROR so I’d say that deal worked out for us.
Frank Underwood
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Frank Underwood »

I’m definitely on board with Hage. Not sure what the trade would be, though……Thomas is too much (and I don’t think we trade him), Faulk isn’t enough, and I’m not sure if Montreal wants or needs Kyrou. But I’d move Kyrou in a deal that brings Hage back. Obviously not a 1-for-1 trade……we probably have to take Laine’s contract back and we pick up an additional pick or prospect. Or maybe they would want Binnington if he shows signs of coming out of his funk, assuming Binnington would agree to go there.
Pierre McGuire
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Pierre McGuire »

Frank Underwood wrote: 25 Jan 2026 17:23 pm I’m definitely on board with Hage. Not sure what the trade would be, though……Thomas is too much (and I don’t think we trade him), Faulk isn’t enough, and I’m not sure if Montreal wants or needs Kyrou. But I’d move Kyrou in a deal that brings Hage back. Obviously not a 1-for-1 trade……we probably have to take Laine’s contract back and we pick up an additional pick or prospect. Or maybe they would want Binnington if he shows signs of coming out of his funk, assuming Binnington would agree to go there.
I doubt Thomas would waive to go to Montreal anyway but he is good friends with Suzuki. I would think the Habs would be very interested in Thomas though but it would start with Hage and go from there for sure. It would have to be a huge haul to move him for sure.
Bluesfan1978
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Bluesfan1978 »

Would a Thomas for Stutzle trade work?
Pierre McGuire
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Pierre McGuire »

Bluesfan1978 wrote: 25 Jan 2026 19:45 pm Would a Thomas for Stutzle trade work?
That’s a one for one..Stutzle is 2 years younger.. we might have to add a pick. Love Stutzle as a player but if we are gonna move Thomas we have to get 3 really good players in return.
bluetunehead
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by bluetunehead »

Bluesfan1978 wrote: 25 Jan 2026 19:45 pm Would a Thomas for Stutzle trade work?
Ottawa isn’t doing that…
Bluesfan1978
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Bluesfan1978 »

Ottawa might need to make some changes as well if they keep missing the pla
bluetunehead wrote: 25 Jan 2026 23:20 pm [quote=Bluesfan1978 post_id=13242910 time=<a href="tel:1769391941">1769391941</a> user_id=336151]
Would a Thomas for Stutzle trade work?
Ottawa isn’t doing that…
[/quote]
Do you mean the Blues would need to add to the trade?
What about Thomas and Binner for Stutzle plus a prospect?
If Ottawa keeps missing the playoffs they risk losing Brady in two years. Thomas could be a piece that helps them keep Brady.
Zizzle1297
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Re: What young NHL Center do you want?

Post by Zizzle1297 »

Maybe try to offer sheet Zegras? or just trade for him?
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