St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou is pictured in an Anaheim Ducks uniform, fueling the recent NHL trade rumors.
The Anaheim Ducks aren’t just rebuilding anymore—they have arrived. Currently battling for the Pacific Division crown, Pat Verbeek’s squad has officially entered their window of contention. But to secure a top-three finish and make noise in the playoffs, they need one more explosive element in their top six. Enter the St. Louis Blues and the enigmatic Jordan Kyrou.
While Anaheim soars, St. Louis is spiraling. Sitting well out of a playoff spot with just 13 wins in 36 games, the Blues are facing a hard reality: the current core isn’t working. Reports from David Pagnotta indicate the Ducks are circling the Blues’ “mess,” viewing Kyrou as a distressed asset with elite upside. For Anaheim, this is a chance to buy low on a consistent 30-goal threat. For St. Louis, it’s an opportunity to clear cap space and pave the way for prospects like Dylan Holloway and Jimmy Snuggerud. The fit is obvious, but the asking price could be the sticking point.
Analyzing the Fit: Why Kyrou to Anaheim Makes Sense
As someone who has watched the Western Conference dynamics shift this season, the link between the Ducks and Kyrou is fascinating. The Ducks are sitting on a treasure trove of assets and cap space, a luxury few contenders have. They don’t just need bodies; they need finishers.
Kyrou is having a down year by his standards—8 goals and 16 points in 28 games isn’t what St. Louis pays him $8.125 million AAV for. However, we have seen this story before. A talented offensive player stagnates in a losing environment (St. Louis) and explodes once moved to a youthful, high-energy system (Anaheim). Placing Kyrou on a wing alongside the likes of Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish could revitalize his game instantly. He brings speed and transition offense, two things the Ducks thrive on.
The Projected Return: What Doug Armstrong is Hunting For
If the Blues are going to move on from a consistent 60-70 point producer like Kyrou, they aren’t looking for “futures” that are five years away. Doug Armstrong doesn’t do scorched-earth rebuilds; he does aggressive retools. The Blues want players who can step in and grow alongside their emerging core of Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dalibor Dvorsky.
According to the rumors, the Blues are targeting a specific mix of high-ceiling prospects and young, NHL-ready talent.
The “Dream” Target: Pavel Mintyukov
The rumor mill suggests the Blues have their sights set high—potentially as high as Pavel Mintyukov. From St. Louis’ perspective, this makes perfect sense. Their blue line has been their Achilles’ heel for seasons, specifically the lack of dynamic puck-movers who can transition the game quickly. Mintyukov fits that bill perfectly. He is the exact type of cornerstone defenseman who could anchor their power play for a decade.
The “Realistic” Package: Volume and Upside
If (and likely when) Anaheim balks at moving Mintyukov, the conversation shifts to the Ducks’ incredible depth of forward prospects. St. Louis is reportedly looking at players like Sam Colangelo or Sasha Pastujov.
Sam Colangelo: A big body with a scoring touch who fits the “heavy hockey” style the Blues have historically preferred but with the modern skill they desperately lack.
Depth Pieces: The report also mentions names like Tim Washe, Eric Nilson, and Maxim Masse. These aren’t just throw-ins; they are players who help refill a prospect pool that the Blues are trying to overhaul rapidly.
My Take: The Blues are trying to thread a needle here. They want to shed the Kyrou contract to gain financial flexibility, but they also want a “hockey trade” return. They aren’t looking for draft picks in 2027; they want players like Colangelo or Mintyukov who can be part of the solution in 2026. The Ducks have the assets to make this work without hurting their current roster, but Pat Verbeek needs to be careful not to overpay for a player the Blues are actively trying to move.
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