Blues 2025-2026 Trade Proposal Thread

[MissouriMook]

Continue from here...

Blues 2024-2025 Trade Proposal Thread

 

[DatDude44]

If Dvorsky/Stenberg/Joseph don’t stick on our 3rd line by the December/January, CGY lookin out of the playoff picture and we’re comfortable with one of Suter or Schenn on the wing. (Obviously unsure of the lines)

I’d love to see us add a guy like Backlund at the deadline if the price is reasonable. I think he’s a perfect 3C on a playoff team. Would really give us quality 3 line attack that can score most importantly defend and play smart as well.

Projected fwd lineup for 2nd half push with Backlund:

Buch-Thomas-Snuggy
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Suter- Backlund- Neighbours
Joseph- Bjugstad- Sunny/ Torpedo

This is it and only if Stenberg/Dvorsky/ Kaskimaki aren’t ready for the jump come playoff time.



Otherwise,

my other low key trade thought would be acquiring Chinakhov from CBJ. He’s kinda been squeezed out there. With Bolducs departure, maybe he’s another young player with some talent that could come in and provide more competition for that 3rd line wing spot and who knows, possibly breakout into a quality full time player. We’re also a very Russian friendly organization which might help.


Assuming the asking price for this guy is relatively low

 

[Spektre]

If Dvorsky/Stenberg/Joseph don’t stick on our 3rd line by the December/January, CGY lookin out of the playoff picture and we’re comfortable with one of Suter or Schenn on the wing. (Obviously unsure of the lines)

I’d love to see us add a guy like Backlund at the deadline if the price is reasonable. I think he’s a perfect 3C on a playoff team. Would really give us quality 3 line attack that can score most importantly defend and play smart as well.

Projected fwd lineup for 2nd half push with Backlund:

Buch-Thomas-Snuggy
Holloway-Schenn-Kyrou
Suter- Backlund- Neighbours
Joseph- Bjugstad- Sunny/ Torpedo

This is it and only if Stenberg/Dvorsky/ Kaskimaki aren’t ready for the jump come playoff time.



Otherwise,

my other low key trade thought would be acquiring Chinakhov from CBJ. He’s kinda been squeezed out there. With Bolducs departure, maybe he’s another young player with some talent that could come in and provide more competition for that 3rd line wing spot and who knows, possibly breakout into a quality full time player. We’re also a very Russian friendly organization which might help.


Assuming the asking price for this guy is relatively low

I wonder what it would take to get Chinakhov.

 

[PeoriaBlues309]

I wonder what it would take to get Chinakhov.

I’d do something like Joseph+decent prospect+mid round pick for him.


Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Suter/Schenn-Chinakhov
Toropchenko-Bjugstad-Sunny/Walker
Texier

 

[MissouriMook]

I wonder what it would take to get Chinakhov.

I’d do something like Joseph+decent prospect+mid round pick for him.


Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud
Holloway-Schenn/Suter-Kyrou
Neighbours-Suter/Schenn-Chinakhov
Toropchenko-Bjugstad-Sunny/Walker
Texier

They already have a familiarity with Texier and their contracts have same cap hit, so maybe something around him? Throw in their choice of Jecho or Stancl and add the 2026 Islanders 5th.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

They already have a familiarity with Texier and their contracts have same cap hit, so maybe something around him? Throw in their choice of Jecho or Stancl and add the 2026 Islanders 5th.

Are you talking about the pick we got for Perunovich? Because he didn’t meet the conditions of the trade (which was believed to be ~20 GP), so we didnt get that pick back. Basically ended up being a future considerations trade

 

[Reality Czech]

They already have a familiarity with Texier and their contracts have same cap hit, so maybe something around him? Throw in their choice of Jecho or Stancl and add the 2026 Islanders 5th.

Does that package get us anywhere near a former first rounder with good potential? I'm guessing Texier has no interest in a Columbus reunion and him and Joseph have no value anyway. Maybe Stancl would grab their interest but I feel it would take a bit more than that.

 

[MissouriMook]

Does that package get us anywhere near a former first rounder with good potential? I'm guessing Texier has no interest in a Columbus reunion and him and Joseph have no value anyway. Maybe Stancl would grab their interest but I feel it would take a bit more than that.

My guess is no, but I’m not in a hurry to give up more than that. I don’t expect he’s going to come into our organization (or any other) and suddenly turn into Tarasenko. He’s still a big “maybe” just like Texier, just more productive than Texier so far, and I’m willing to give up a B prospect and a pick to see if we can unlock something Columbus hasn’t. The fact that he’s asked for/demanded a trade suggests he can be acquired at a bit of a discount.

 

[Brian39]

I have pretty little interest in a Chinakhov trade. His agent is actively trying to burn the bridge with the team and one of his complaints is that his client is not a 3rd line player. The player also has a history of back problems, which his agent claimed was fixed mid-season in Russia with a 'shot' after no North American doctor would offer that course of treatment to him. I am incredibly skeptical of that claim and would have concerns about the back issue flaring up again (or him returning to the KHL next summer since he apparently can't get adequate medical attention in the US).

Best case scenario, the agent is lying/exaggerating the issues between the player and team/coach in order to get himself to a team that can guarantee top 6 minutes. I have no desire to give up assets to make such a guarantee (or see him force his way out next summer if he winds up on our 3rd line). Just too many red flags for me.

 

[DatDude44]

I have pretty little interest in a Chinakhov trade. His agent is actively trying to burn the bridge with the team and one of his complaints is that his client is not a 3rd line player. The player also has a history of back problems, which his agent claimed was fixed mid-season in Russia with a 'shot' after no North American doctor would offer that course of treatment to him. I am incredibly skeptical of that claim and would have concerns about the back issue flaring up again (or him returning to the KHL next summer since he apparently can't get adequate medical attention in the US).

Best case scenario, the agent is lying/exaggerating the issues between the player and team/coach in order to get himself to a team that can guarantee top 6 minutes. I have no desire to give up assets to make such a guarantee (or see him force his way out next summer if he winds up on our 3rd line). Just too many red flags for me.

Yeah, he's not worth bringing in if he's gonna cause issues if he's not in the top6. Let him go to Pittsburgh or Chicago, play top 6 for a few years then fizzle out when they eventually become decent lol

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I have pretty little interest in a Chinakhov trade. His agent is actively trying to burn the bridge with the team and one of his complaints is that his client is not a 3rd line player. The player also has a history of back problems, which his agent claimed was fixed mid-season in Russia with a 'shot' after no North American doctor would offer that course of treatment to him. I am incredibly skeptical of that claim and would have concerns about the back issue flaring up again (or him returning to the KHL next summer since he apparently can't get adequate medical attention in the US).

Best case scenario, the agent is lying/exaggerating the issues between the player and team/coach in order to get himself to a team that can guarantee top 6 minutes. I have no desire to give up assets to make such a guarantee (or see him force his way out next summer if he winds up on our 3rd line). Just too many red flags for me.

Agreed. He doesn't make sense for us.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Does that package get us anywhere near a former first rounder with good potential? I'm guessing Texier has no interest in a Columbus reunion and him and Joseph have no value anyway. Maybe Stancl would grab their interest but I feel it would take a bit more than that.

Well, yeah Chinakhov was a 1st rounder. He was also the most off-the-board pick in recent memory. I remember when he was picked, most of the prognosticators didn't even have a "card" for him, or have him on their draft boards at all. Idk about other GMs, but I know that Armstrong cares more about where we had guys ranked in their draft year rather than where they were actually picked. I would assume that's true around the league as well. Chinakhov has had a decent career so far, not spectacular, and nothing that screams that he was worthy of that draft slot (as opposed to taking him with a later pick).

Not saying that a Texier-based package gets it done, just saying Chinakhov's trade value around the league is probably less than your typical 23-year-old former 1st rounder.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I’d have near zero interest in Chinakhov. I don’t really see a need to add another forward but if they wanted to, I’d probably just try to sign Viktor Ofofsson for cheap. 29 pts in 56 games for Vegas last season. Can play either wing. Not saying I’d definitely want him but I’d look into it. My guess is he priced himself out of the market and now the music has stopped and he’s found himself without a chair. If he’d sign another cheap deal for around $1M then I’d be interested.

 

[Quaz]

I’d have near zero interest in Chinakhov. I don’t really see a need to add another forward but if they wanted to, I’d probably just try to sign Viktor Ofofsson for cheap. 29 pts in 56 games for Vegas last season. Can play either wing. Not saying I’d definitely want him but I’d look into it. My guess is he priced himself out of the market and now the music has stopped and he’s found himself without a chair. If he’d sign another cheap deal for around $1M then I’d be interested.

How about Luke Kunin. I don’t believe he has signed with anyone yet. He didn’t get much ice time with CBJ last year. The question would be is he better than Joseph/Texier?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

How about Luke Kunin. I don’t believe he has signed with anyone yet. He didn’t get much ice time with CBJ last year. The question would be is he better than Joseph/Texier?

He seems better at taking cheap shots and dumb penalties. Pass.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

We have too many forwards as it is IMO.

 

[DatDude44]

How about Luke Kunin. I don’t believe he has signed with anyone yet. He didn’t get much ice time with CBJ last year. The question would be is he better than Joseph/Texier?

Hometown kid, I bet we atleast PTO him and bring him into camp.
gritty 3rd line role open and he fits that mold. Doubt he makes it though

 

[STL fan in MN]

How about Luke Kunin. I don’t believe he has signed with anyone yet. He didn’t get much ice time with CBJ last year. The question would be is he better than Joseph/Texier?

Oloffson’s much better IMO. Only thing Kunin has going for him is he’s from STL. But if he wasn’t, doubt he’d even be a consideration as no, I don’t think he’s better than either Joseph or Tex.

And to Falco’s point, we don’t really need another forward. We already have 14. If Dvorsky shows he’s ready then we have 15. We’d need a pretty bad injury or a trade for it to make sense to really add someone IMO.

 

[TurgPavs]

Not to jump on the Kyrou train as it already has enough BS, but really like the Trade Idea, I heard while up in Pitt last week.
Kyrou to Pitt
Rust, Pickering, and a couple 2nd round pick (I would assume in 2026) to the Blues.

Pickering at 21 years has done will in the AHL, big solid LHD with some offense to his game. Rust at 33 is a very good 2 way player who is going to add 20G 30A, and sounds like an incredible Locker Room Guy.
The Picks are what they are.

Out of all the Rumors/HS/Speculation on Kyrou, that seems like a pretty solid offer.

I will say I am really looking forward to a full season of the Holloway/Schenn/Kyrou line, so I hope Kyrou is not moved.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Not to jump on the Kyrou train as it already has enough BS, but really like the Trade Idea, I heard while up in Pitt last week.
Kyrou to Pitt
Rust, Pickering, and a couple 2nd round pick (I would assume in 2026) to the Blues.

Pickering at 21 years has done will in the AHL, big solid LHD with some offense to his game. Rust at 33 is a very good 2 way player who is going to add 20G 30A, and sounds like an incredible Locker Room Guy.
The Picks are what they are.

Out of all the Rumors/HS/Speculation on Kyrou, that seems like a pretty solid offer.

I will say I am really looking forward to a full season of the Holloway/Schenn/Kyrou line, so I hope Kyrou is not moved.

Sounds like a collection of spare parts than anything that actually helps up. Rust is 33 with 2 years left. I dont see the Hype with Pickering when we are stacked with LHD with Lindstein, Broberg, and Fisher, and 2nd round picks dont really do anything for us. Unless we are trading Kyrou for a legit top 6C or Top 4 D right now we should probably just keep him.

 

[Brian39]

Not to jump on the Kyrou train as it already has enough BS, but really like the Trade Idea, I heard while up in Pitt last week.
Kyrou to Pitt
Rust, Pickering, and a couple 2nd round pick (I would assume in 2026) to the Blues.

Pickering at 21 years has done will in the AHL, big solid LHD with some offense to his game. Rust at 33 is a very good 2 way player who is going to add 20G 30A, and sounds like an incredible Locker Room Guy.
The Picks are what they are.

Out of all the Rumors/HS/Speculation on Kyrou, that seems like a pretty solid offer.

I will say I am really looking forward to a full season of the Holloway/Schenn/Kyrou line, so I hope Kyrou is not moved.

Hard pass from me.

I'm not overly interested in Rust's age 33, 34, and 35 seasons. He's been stapled to Crosby with huge O zone usage for half a decade straight and I have pretty real concerns that he would suddenly look much worse getting similar zone deployment (away from Thomas) or significantly more defensive usage (with Thomas). I could see this being a large downgrade from Kyrou immediately that is an anchor contract by year 2 (of 3).

I don't think Pickering fits. I don't like the idea of trying to develop Pickering and Mailloux on the same pair this year and neither strikes me as close to ready for immediate top 4 duty. And I'm not saying that we have no need for more young LHD, but it certainly isn't our most pressing area of need. I'm pretty confident in our group of LHD prospects to meet our long-term needs.

I think this trade makes us obviously worse in the short term and probably worse in the long term. And it doesn't address our 2 biggest potential long-term holes. I'd much rather just keep our high end RW who is on a nice AAV through his prime.

 

[Renard]

Oloffson’s much better IMO. Only thing Kunin has going for him is he’s from STL. But if he wasn’t, doubt he’d even be a consideration as no, I don’t think he’s better than either Joseph or Tex.

And to Falco’s point, we don’t really need another forward. We already have 14. If Dvorsky shows he’s ready then we have 15. We’d need a pretty bad injury or a trade for it to make sense to really add someone IMO.

John Kelly said that Kunin was as strong as an ox. I thought that was a strange analogy. Maybe Kunin is as slow as an ox, too.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Not to jump on the Kyrou train as it already has enough BS, but really like the Trade Idea, I heard while up in Pitt last week.
Kyrou to Pitt
Rust, Pickering, and a couple 2nd round pick (I would assume in 2026) to the Blues.

Pickering at 21 years has done will in the AHL, big solid LHD with some offense to his game. Rust at 33 is a very good 2 way player who is going to add 20G 30A, and sounds like an incredible Locker Room Guy.
The Picks are what they are.

Out of all the Rumors/HS/Speculation on Kyrou, that seems like a pretty solid offer.

I will say I am really looking forward to a full season of the Holloway/Schenn/Kyrou line, so I hope Kyrou is not moved.

That might be the worst offer I’ve heard for Kyrou.

 

[Spektre]

If McTavish is actually available, what would you be willing to give up?

I’m guessing it starts with Dvorsky, and adds from there.

 

[Drubilly]

If McTavish is actually available, what would you be willing to give up?

I’m guessing it starts with Dvorsky, and adds from there.

If he’s actually available I’d have no problem trading Dvo and other assets for McT. Our ‘26 1st and another prospect. Which one? I know I wouldn’t include Snuggy and Carbo.

Where do you see his availability being questioned?