The St. Louis Blues plan for next week’s trade deadline is unknown. The team could be sellers, or they could keep the team together and make a run for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which the Blues have not reached in two seasons. If we look ahead to the long-term, selling would be the best choice for the team. However, if the Blues choose to sell, they must be careful. There is one player whose name has surfaced in rumours, who the Blues cannot afford to lose if they want to be contenders shortly.
The Blues Should Not Trade Jordan Kyrou
Multiple rumours have surfaced as we approach the trade deadline. The one that has gathered the most traction is that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in captain Brayden Schenn. Another rumour that has slid under the radar is the possibility of the Blues trading forwards Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou.
Why the Rumours?
The rumours stem from a belief that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong may want to clear salary from the team. Trading Kyrou and/or Buchnevich would help accomplish that. Furthermore, it would be easier to do as neither has no-trade clauses yet, but they will next season. As a result, it would be harder to make a trade down the road.
Trading Kyrou is a Mistake
If the Blues were to trade Buchnevich, even after extending him last summer, it would be shocking. However, the Blues could readjust and move forward. Trading Kyrou, however, would be catastrophic.
Retool to Rebuild
When the Blues traded Ryan O’Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Ivan Barbashev in 2023, it was the team’s first step in entering a retool. However, they were not entering a rebuild. With young talents like Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Jake Neighbours on the roster alongside an outstanding starting goalie, the Blues already had a foundation. The emergence of Colton Parayko as a top defenceman and the play of Joel Hofer as a backup goalie, among other things, has built upon that conversation.
If the Blues trade Kyrou, they will be delivering a serious fracture to that foundation. Kyrou is 26 years old and has two seasons in which he has scored 30+ goals, two seasons in which he has scored 73+ points, and was an All-Star in 2022. He is only getting better. Furthermore, the team is not far away from contending. Why trade someone like Kyrou now?
If the organization wants to start a rebuild, then yes, trade Kyrou. But, if you are trading Kyrou, do not stop there. Trade Thomas. Trade Buchnevich. Go ahead and trade Parayko and Binnington as well. If you are trading Kyrou, you are already committing to a rebuild. Go ahead and sell off the rest of the team.
Does it make sense for the Blues to enter a complete rebuild? No. Absolutely not. After one losing season two years ago, the Blues stayed in playoff contention until game #80 last year. Now, they only find themselves a few points out of the playoffs. Are they Stanley Cup contenders? No. However, they are a lot closer than they were in 2022.
So, unless the Blues want to embrace a complete rebuild, they should not trade Kyrou.
Kyrou is Clutch
Kyrou has only played in 21 Stanley Cup Playoff games, so his sample size is not significant. However, when Kyrou plays on the big stage, he performs.
In the 2022 playoffs, Kyrou scored seven goals in 12 games. Before Binnington’s injury in the second round, the Blues looked like a team that could make a Stanley Cup run. Kyrou was one of the big reasons for that. The big stage of the playoffs did not phase the young player.
In addition to the big stage, Kyrou performed when the stage was outside. The Winter Classic is not on the same level as the playoffs. However, it is a premier event where the hockey world tunes in. In two Winter Classic games, Kyrou has three goals and two assists. No, it is not the playoffs but a big stage. Simply put, Kyrou performs on the big stage.
His Contract is a Steal
Kyrou is making just over $8.12 million through the 2030-31 season. That is an absolute steal for someone who scores 30+ goals and 70+ assists. Furthermore, the contract becomes even more of a steal when you consider the cap will be rising.
If the Blues trade Kyrou, they will need to replace him. With a rising cap, the likelihood of them finding 30+ goals and 70+ points for just over $8.12 million is not very high.
Your Honour, the Defence Rests Its Case
Let us recap what we have discussed. If the Blues decide to trade Kyrou, they need to enter a complete rebuild and trade-off everyone else as well.
However, if the Blue Note wants to contend in a few seasons, is it wise to trade a 26-year-old 30-plus goal scorer who has performed on the big stage and whose contract is a steal?
Not only is it unwise, it would be catastrophic.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
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