Blues Consider Trading Thomas or Kyrou for a Rebuild

The St. Louis Blues are contemplating a significant roster move by considering trades for forwards Robert Thomas or Jordan Kyrou. This potential decision stems from the team's need to "get worse to get better," a strategy that involves trading a current asset for future gains.

While trading either Thomas or Kyrou seems daunting, it could be the best path forward given the team's limited other valuable trade assets and a middling prospect pool. The current free agent market is shrinking, which may increase the demand for established talent like Thomas and Kyrou, potentially sweetening trade offers for interested teams.

Robert Thomas, despite a dip in his scoring rate this season to 2.49 points per 60 before an injury, remains a valuable all-around player. His defensive game has improved, and he handles a tough workload effectively, maintaining a positive impact on possession and limiting scoring chances against relative to his teammates.

Jordan Kyrou offers speed and offensive pop, though his scoring has decreased this season, putting him on pace for 56 points compared to his usual 70-point mark. Despite past defensive criticisms, he has shown strides in his own zone. Poor puck luck and a lower shooting percentage are factors, but his strong underlying offensive generation and improved playmaking suggest a rebound is possible.

Both players have five years remaining on their contracts, each with an $8.13 million cap hit, a factor that adds risk but also provides cost certainty. Teams might look past this season's struggles to see the potential for scoring rebounds, especially given the limited availability of true top-six difference-makers in the current trade market.