I feel like I’ve been doing this for just about every trade target, but at the top of my list is still Robert Thomas. When I made my full-length trade target list, I had Robert Thomas at the top of it. Robert Thomas fits both the Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider timeline as well as the Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat timeline. Detroit would love a top-six center, especially a right-handed one. Robert Thomas fits what Detroit needs both now and in the future, but why would the Blues be interested in getting a deal done with Detroit?

Recently, a report came out for the Blues that nothing is off the table in terms of trade targets, and I respect that. They know they’re not a cup contender, and they have assets that can help them build a dynasty through the draft if they time it right. The good news is that Detroit has a slew of assets that can help any team build towards the future.

Detroit and St. Louis have a track record of getting deals done in the Yzerman era, and it makes you wonder what it would take to get one more done. A trade that would no doubt be the biggest deal of the whole Red Wings and Blues trade saga, and one that would define each of the franchises’ directions for years to come.

What Detroit Can Give St. Louis:

If the Blues were to part ways with Robert Thomas, they would be losing a playmaking, right-shot center who is a good skater. So, you’d imagine Nate Danielson is pretty much a given to be included in any potential trade, and I think the Blues would like him a lot. He’s a point-per-game at the AHL and doesn’t get much of a real look in the top six in Detroit’s current lineup. Simply put, I never understood the goal of having all of Kasper, Danielson, and Bear. You can only have so many middle six centres; to me, they were begging to be dealt since the draft. Here, I think trading Danielson to a team that can give him a real chance helps all sides. The Red Wings get the center for their cup window, the Blues get to take a chance on a young player with some high upside, and Nate Danielson gets a real look at the NHL’s top six, where he belongs.

Aside from Danielson, Detroit still has all their first round picks. I think two is the magic number here. New York got two for Dobson, and if Detroit is to include Danielson, I think this makes up the difference in terms of the contract situation.

Finally, I think Detroit adds William Wallinder or an adjacent prospect. If the Blues are going to let everyone go, I’d imagine Colton Parayko will be gone before Thomas is. If so, the Blues may want to take a chance on another young defenceman with some size, and Detroit has a handful of them they can give back. I’d be a little worried about getting Anton Johansson involved, but if it’s needed, I think they’d do it.

Long Term Outlook with Robert Thomas:

I think Robert Thomas is probably the second line centre both now and in the future, but I don’t think that means he isn’t better than Dylan Larkin. Lucas Raymond needs to play beside finishers to get the most out of him, and Robert Thomas is a playmaker as well. But Detroit has a plethora of snipers coming in the future, which is great for Robert Thomas on the team.

Brandsegg-Nygård can be on the team as early as this season, Bear won’t be too long, Buchelnikov will also fit in somewhere, and DeBrincat will still be here long into the future. Robert Thomas can take his pick of the type of player he wants to be beside. Not to mention, Detroit has a long list of grinders and power forwards that he can play beside if he wants to play in the softer areas. Kasper, Genborg, and Mazur all give quality options for Robert Thomas to play beside.

The point of this is that we know Robert Thomas would fit perfectly. But it also gives Detroit a ton of cap flexibility. Robert Thomas is still only making $8.125M until 2031. It keeps him below Larkin’s internal cap, which might make Edvinsson’s contract negotiations easier. But more than that, Detroit would still have over twenty million in cap space this offseason if Edvinsson takes something in the scope of nine million. With that kind of money, it would be pretty easy to keep Chiarot and Kane. Then, extended DeBrincat to around the tune of ten million and still be comfortable enough with cap space to gamble on any star that drifts into their stratosphere.

Wrapping Up:

I know I often joke about myself selling out to only talk about trade news for clicks. Sue me, they’re doing well. I promise, soon I’ll have pieces back up that are more analytical about this team because there are genuinely a lot of good things to talk about for Detroit.

As for Thomas, this isn’t me saying it’s going to happen. If we’ve learned anything from the Andersson and Hughes sweepstakes this season, it’s that Detroit isn’t always keen to get ballsy. This season I can’t exactly say I blame Steve Yzerman.

However, Thomas does check all the boxes that Yzerman typically cares about. He has a contract, he plays a premium position, he’s young. You name it, Thomas largely has it covered. So, is this the name that Yzerman bucks up and sells some assets to acquire? The truth is, I don’t know. I still think it’s important to remember that trades, especially for young stars, hardly happen. So no, don’t bet on anything. But I wouldn’t blame you if you were optimistic about getting a guy like Robert Thomas on the team.

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