Interesting Article: Blues/Wings Match

[The Average Gatsby]

Max Plante has 40 pts in 26 games for Minnesota-Duluth as a 19 yr old this year. That’s pretty impressive. Unfortunately he’s been playing lw. Does anyone know anything about what type of nhler he might be?

[Harry S Deals]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

[Pierre McGuire]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

[hockey jedi]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

IMO, teams like Detroit are adding players to make a run towards the Cup. We aren't going to get productive players from their NHL roster at this time of the year because they don't want to disrupt their chemistry. You don't make hockey trades in January/February. We are going to get prospect's that are knocking at the NHL door and ready for the NHL but are blocked by veteran players. I'm good with that.

My fear is that Army gets fleeced in a trade with Detroit. I haven't liked the equity in trades with Detroit and our return coming back.

[dhsux]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

[Pierre McGuire]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

He’s off limits…don’t see the Wings giving him up even for Thomas. Danielson, Plante, maybe Bear would be guys we would be looking at a return for Thomas. I love Danielson…he was who I thought the Blues would draft until Yzerman stole him a pick right before us but I don’t think he’s ever going to be an elite producer…real good 200ft center though.

[WilliamWestcliffe]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

He’s off limits…don’t see the Wings giving him up even for Thomas. Danielson, Plante, maybe Bear would be guys we would be looking at a return for Thomas. I love Danielson…he was who I thought the Blues would draft until Yzerman stole him a pick right before us but I don’t think he’s ever going to be an elite producer…real good 200ft center though.

I'm fine with that. This team doesn't need an elite center. They won a cup with O'Reilly, Schenn and Bozak and Florida continues to win cups with the likes of Barkov, Bennett and Lundell. What the Blues need are three really good centers with speed, size and battle. Centers that are catalysts for the team's identity.

In fact, if it requires Thomas to land Nikishin, I'm doing it.

Otherwise, my first swing immediately after the Olympics is Faulk ($ retained) + Kyrou for Danielson + Bear + 2026 2nd. I'd also be digging to find out what it would take to include MBN in that package (drop the 2nd and STL adds Buchnevich? Schenn? probably a real stretch but I'd be kicking the tires hard).

Lastly I'd shop Schenn ($ retained) for a 2026 1st or mid tier center (Wright?) and Pius Suter to Edmonton for a 2026 2nd.

My goal would be to come out of this failed season with a new foundation on defense for the next 3-6 years, an identity up the middle and added size and battle in the top 6. Grab Ivar at the draft, hand the keys to Steen and tell him to go win a cup in 3 years.

[The Average Gatsby]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

He’s off limits…don’t see the Wings giving him up even for Thomas. Danielson, Plante, maybe Bear would be guys we would be looking at a return for Thomas. I love Danielson…he was who I thought the Blues would draft until Yzerman stole him a pick right before us but I don’t think he’s ever going to be an elite producer…real good 200ft center though.

I'm fine with that. This team doesn't need an elite center. They won a cup with O'Reilly, Schenn and Bozak and Florida continues to win cups with the likes of Barkov, Bennett and Lundell. What the Blues need are three really good centers with speed, size and battle. Centers that are catalysts for the team's identity.

In fact, if it requires Thomas to land Nikishin, I'm doing it.

Otherwise, my first swing immediately after the Olympics is Faulk ($ retained) + Kyrou for Danielson + Bear + 2026 2nd. I'd also be digging to find out what it would take to include MBN in that package (drop the 2nd and STL adds Buchnevich? Schenn? probably a real stretch but I'd be kicking the tires hard).

Lastly I'd shop Schenn ($ retained) for a 2026 1st or mid tier center (Wright?) and Pius Suter to Edmonton for a 2026 2nd.

My goal would be to come out of this failed season with a new foundation on defense for the next 3-6 years, an identity up the middle and added size and battle in the top 6. Grab Ivar at the draft, hand the keys to Steen and tell him to go win a cup in 3 years.

Barkov is an elite center, Bennett is excellent, and I’d love to have Lundell on our team.

[seattleblue]

The Wings seem like such a good fit because they have quality prospects everywhere and they are in need of more now-potency. We match as trade partners for the different trajectories.

Thomas is good enough at a coveted need position for teams ready to take the next step that he should generate serious blue chip value in the winning return offer. I do think the return on Thomas is going to hurt the other team giving up someone they really don't want to give up. I would be thrilled as others would be with Hage. But let's say he returns Danielson now you've got Dvorsky & Danielson same age same position and you have a high first round pick this year and probably another 1-2 years minimum. You use the high pick to try to land a true #1 defenseman (assuming the pick is in the 3-9 range) and that seems like a possibility. you still have Jiricek Fischer etc. and you have high end young centers and wingers. next two years land more forwards at the top of the draft.

Conventional thought and mine has been you don't trade Parayko. But if Yzerman would give up ASP for him after he sees a performance in the Olympics he likes ... I am not sure how to finish my own thought there, just spitballing, haven't landed anywhere. given the widespread mess, it's a time to play with ideas and go out of the comfort zone against your own biases

[theograce]

The Wings seem like such a good fit because they have quality prospects everywhere and they are in need of more now-potency. We match as trade partners for the different trajectories.

Thomas is good enough at a coveted need position for teams ready to take the next step that he should generate serious blue chip value in the winning return offer. I do think the return on Thomas is going to hurt the other team giving up someone they really don't want to give up. I would be thrilled as others would be with Hage. But let's say he returns Danielson now you've got Dvorsky & Danielson same age same position and you have a high first round pick this year and probably another 1-2 years minimum. You use the high pick to try to land a true #1 defenseman (assuming the pick is in the 3-9 range) and that seems like a possibility. you still have Jiricek Fischer etc. and you have high end young centers and wingers. next two years land more forwards at the top of the draft.

Conventional thought and mine has been you don't trade Parayko. But if Yzerman would give up ASP for him after he sees a performance in the Olympics he likes ... I am not sure how to finish my own thought there, just spitballing, haven't landed anywhere. given the widespread mess, it's a time to play with ideas and go out of the comfort zone against your own biases

Yeah…the thing is if Yzerman really believes in this club and that a piece can truly enhance their chance now, he’s more likely to throw in some chips.

Other teams will be loading up some, so you always have to. Insider that as well. You always have to look at ways to support your team when in a position like this

[hockey jedi]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

He’s off limits…don’t see the Wings giving him up even for Thomas. Danielson, Plante, maybe Bear would be guys we would be looking at a return for Thomas. I love Danielson…he was who I thought the Blues would draft until Yzerman stole him a pick right before us but I don’t think he’s ever going to be an elite producer…real good 200ft center though.

I'm fine with that. This team doesn't need an elite center. They won a cup with O'Reilly, Schenn and Bozak and Florida continues to win cups with the likes of Barkov, Bennett and Lundell. What the Blues need are three really good centers with speed, size and battle. Centers that are catalysts for the team's identity.

In fact, if it requires Thomas to land Nikishin, I'm doing it.

Otherwise, my first swing immediately after the Olympics is Faulk ($ retained) + Kyrou for Danielson + Bear + 2026 2nd. I'd also be digging to find out what it would take to include MBN in that package (drop the 2nd and STL adds Buchnevich? Schenn? probably a real stretch but I'd be kicking the tires hard).

Lastly I'd shop Schenn ($ retained) for a 2026 1st or mid tier center (Wright?) and Pius Suter to Edmonton for a 2026 2nd.

My goal would be to come out of this failed season with a new foundation on defense for the next 3-6 years, an identity up the middle and added size and battle in the top 6. Grab Ivar at the draft, hand the keys to Steen and tell him to go win a cup in 3 years.

I like your first swing idea. We get to keep Thomas, whom I'm not ready to trade and we get deeper. I'm also interested in Wright, but Seattle isn't the right fit to take Schenn. Maybe switch Schenn to Detroit with Faulk, and Kyrou to Seattle for Wright. We might need Suter to finish out the season and Edmonton's 2026 2nd will be 60 picks into the draft.

[dhsux]

Kasper and MBN would be a start, perhaps Danielson instead this seems likes it too big too pull off too many variables and Army is going to want players back in some fashion not just picks and kids

Fauk is gonna return a pick or prospect. An NHL body for him won’t be anything of value

What would you give for Edvinsson Pierre? Would the Wings want an RT kind of value back?

He’s off limits…don’t see the Wings giving him up even for Thomas. Danielson, Plante, maybe Bear would be guys we would be looking at a return for Thomas. I love Danielson…he was who I thought the Blues would draft until Yzerman stole him a pick right before us but I don’t think he’s ever going to be an elite producer…real good 200ft center though.

Thanks...I saw his offensive numbers down a bit this year and was wondering.....would love to land him and I like a D return better even though RT would leave that hole at center.

[TheJackBurton]

Trading Thomas for prospects, even blue chip ones sets the rebuild back years and I can't imagine the owners have any desire for that.

If Thomas is getting traded it's going to be for a NHL player/s of equal value and at center.

[Pierre McGuire]

Trading Thomas for prospects, even blue chip ones sets the rebuild back years and I can't imagine the owners have any desire for that.

If Thomas is getting traded it's going to be for a NHL player/s of equal value and at center.

If they trade Thomas I think the full reset is on. What team that is contending is going to trade for Thomas only to send an equal player of value back? Montreal isn’t going to trade Suzuki? Is Detroit going to send Larkin? Is Carolina going to send Aho? Not sure how that would make any sense for the team trading for him. I’m sure there would be a roster player of some sort heading back but the prize is gonna be a top prospect or two….my opinion of course…if they were to trade him.

[theograce]

Trading Thomas for prospects, even blue chip ones sets the rebuild back years and I can't imagine the owners have any desire for that.

If Thomas is getting traded it's going to be for a NHL player/s of equal value and at center.

If they trade Thomas I think the full reset is on. What team that is contending is going to trade for Thomas only to send an equal player of value back? Montreal isn’t going to trade Suzuki? Is Detroit going to send Larkin? Is Carolina going to send Aho? Not sure how that would make any sense for the team trading for him. I’m sure there would be a roster player of some sort heading back but the prize is gonna be a top prospect or two….my opinion of course…if they were to trade him.

Well that’s the thing…all the players you mentioned there are better than Thomas. I wish Thomas had the balls of a Larkin. Wish he skated like him too

[Pierre McGuire]

Trading Thomas for prospects, even blue chip ones sets the rebuild back years and I can't imagine the owners have any desire for that.

If Thomas is getting traded it's going to be for a NHL player/s of equal value and at center.

If they trade Thomas I think the full reset is on. What team that is contending is going to trade for Thomas only to send an equal player of value back? Montreal isn’t going to trade Suzuki? Is Detroit going to send Larkin? Is Carolina going to send Aho? Not sure how that would make any sense for the team trading for him. I’m sure there would be a roster player of some sort heading back but the prize is gonna be a top prospect or two….my opinion of course…if they were to trade him.

Well that’s the thing…all the players you mentioned there are better than Thomas. I wish Thomas had the balls of a Larkin. Wish he skated like him too

Who else at center on those contending teams that are rumored is close to equal value?