The St. Louis Blues enter the 2026 offseason in full transition mode. After selling at the March trade deadline sending Brayden Schenn went to the Islanders, Justin Faulk to Detroit, the club sits with a young core, roughly $15 million in projected cap space (potentially more with Torey Krug’s LTIR), and a haul of 12 draft picks, including three first-rounders. Under incoming GM Alexander Steen, the direction is clear: youth development and asset accumulation.
With a week left before the draft, the rumor mill is running hot. Here’s a stab at where things, what’s speculation, and where the Blues stand on both the sell and buy sides.
On the Blues Roster
Jordan Kyrou remains the clearest and most active name on the block. The speedy winger had a down year but still carries real trade value as a three-time 30-goal scorer, with five years left on an $8.125 million deal carrying a full no-trade clause. Recent reports have mentioned ongoing conversations with the New York Islanders, though there is a bit of uncertainty if Kyrou would be willing to waive his no-trade protection for a move to Long Island. Other teams around the league have checked in as well. Expect the Blues to hold their ground and push for a strong return and likely ask for at least a first-round pick plus a prospect or young player.
Jordan Binnington is an another possibility. He drew heavy interest at the deadline but stayed put, and there’s speculation the Blues could revisit moving the veteran netminder this summer as they turn the page toward Joel Hofer as their goalie of the future. Binnington has made clear he believes he still has plenty left in the tank and can be a No. 1 goalie somewhere. Multiple teams could be in the market for his services, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers among the Eastern Conference names that make sense. Given the state of the free agent goalie market, the Blues could be in position to negotiate a strong price if they do move him, though it would also leave them searching for a backup to pair with Hofer.
The Robert Thomas rumors, meanwhile, have been put to rest. Blues insider Andy Strickland stated clearly in early June that the team has no interest in moving its No. 1 center. Expect Thomas in the lineup when training camp opens.
Colton Parayko and Pavel Buchnevich have surfaced in broader trade speculation but aren’t currently linked to any active deals. After Parayko blocked a trade to Buffalo ahead of the deadline, it looks increasingly like the longtime Blue is staying put.
Rumored Acquisition Targets: What the Blues Might Be Exploring
With cap space and draft capital to work with, the Blues are positioned to be patient, opportunistic buyers if the right deal comes together, particularly one that pairs an acquisition with moving salary out.
Elias Pettersson has generated the most buzz. Vancouver is in teardown mode and reportedly open to offers on the 27-year-old center, who has six years left on an $11.6 million deal with a full no-movement clause. Recent chatter and speculation from the Donnie & Dhaliwal program noted that “trade talk is real” and specifically mentioned the Blues as one team “sniffing around.” Some see a potential fit due to a change-of-scenery opportunity for Pettersson and possible Swedish connections within the Blues organization and prospect pool. However, there should come a lot of skepticism in this as well due to his recent performance inconsistency and the steep price tag any deal would carry. This should remain very much in the “early-stage interest” category but certainly one of interest as the Canuck has surpassed 65 points five times in his career, surpassed 85 points twice in his career, and surpassed 100 points once in his career. A change of scenery could do wonders for the Swede but there is also a large gamble that could come with this.
Bowen Byram’s name is older but still circulating. Back in summer 2025, it was reported the Blues were among the most aggressive teams pursuing the young Buffalo defenseman, who was seeking a bigger role as the Sabres explored moving him. Nothing came of it then, but Byram’s name has resurfaced recently with multiple teams reportedly involved in talks.
A handful of other names are floating around the league as well. Toronto’s Matthew Knies has been mentioned as a player the Leafs could look to move, with the Blues seen as a logical trade partner given their depth on the back end, both on the current roster and in the pipeline, if Toronto wants to add size and skill up at various spots throughout their lineup.
Detroit captain Dylan Larkin has also repeatedly come up in discussion as a name worth tracking if he ever deems St. Louis as a viable destination. However, the timeline may or may not line up cleanly. Larkin will likely want to play for a contender, and the Blues would need to believe they’re further along in their rebuild for that kind of pursuit to make sense. With three first-round picks and a deep overall haul, St. Louis has the flexibility to trade up for a top prospect or package selections into a larger deal if the right opportunity presents itself.
The Wrap-Up
The Blues are in an interesting spot. Moving Kyrou, and possibly Binnington, Parayko, or depth pieces like Pius Suter would create even more flexibility to add younger, controllable talent or move up in the draft. Any major acquisition would almost certainly require moving salary out first to balance the books.
Nothing is imminent. The draft, running June 26-27, has a way of accelerating or killing rumors once teams sit down face-to-face. But the bottom line is this: Kyrou is the name Blues fans should expect to see moved. Pettersson is the most interesting “what if” on the acquisition side, a high-risk, high-reward swing that plenty in the fanbase remain wary of. Everything else stays in speculation territory for now.