As we approach the make-or-break point of the NHL season, the trade market and all the accompanying discourse are garnering increasing attention. The community is rife with speculation about the future destinations of tradeable assets across the league.
Amid such circumstances, a particular St. Louis Blues center, who has seen better days, has emerged at the top of the list of names to watch for this trading spell in the NHL.
St. Louis Blues Veteran Brayden Schenn Foremost Among Desirable Trade Candidates
The Blues are having yet another forgettable season, flanked at the lower end of the Central Division with 20 points. Center Brayden Schenn, who is currently in the sixth year of his eight-year, $52 million contract, is evidently not at his best this season. The 34-year-old has accumulated eight points over 23 games played with the Blues this season: truly a shell of his formidable former self.
However, despite his current form and age, Nick Kypreos believes that Schenn can emerge as a formidable trade asset for the team. Firstly, the forward is not hindered by the weight of a no-trade clause, unlike teammates Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich. Instead, Schenn offers the front office more room to strategize through his 15-team no-trade list.
“While Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich were both on our trade board last season, they have full no-trade clauses, so any possible move has extra hurdles. Schenn, on the other hand, has a 15-team no-trade list, so the Blues have more flexibility with him,” Kypreos wrote for Sportsnet.
Moreover, it is not lost on anyone in the community that Schenn is no longer as impressive as he once was. Regardless, the forward’s ability to switch between the center and the wing is a really good reason for teams to be interested in the veteran player.
“It’s been quite a struggle for Schenn so far, with just eight points and a team-worst minus-14, but his flexibility to play centre or wing will be attractive as will his style of play. Schenn is third on the Blues in hits,” Kypreos added, strengthening the case for the Blues front office to consider a move surrounding the 34-year-old.
According to Spencer Lazary, writing for the Hockey Writers, one team that could be interested in this discussion is the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs, who are trying to navigate one of the worst seasons in recent history, may find some interest in the Blues’ veterans.
“They are an older team, but their veterans would fit in well with a Maple Leafs team that looks out of sorts. A few names that stand out are Brayden Schenn, who is an absolute battler and could help solidify things down the middle for the group,” Lazary added.
We have finally reached the point in the season when we can determine where each NHL team stands. The Blues certainly need to put in some extra effort to regain their footing, and whether Schenn’s move is a part of that plan remains to be seen.