It was Nick Kypreos who broke the news earlier this week about what the cost for Robert Thomas is. What Kypreos described as “astronomical,” I describe as “why haven’t we done this yet?” The asking price right now, according to Kypreos, is three assets that are all at the level of top 15 picks in their respective drafts.

So, in other words, exactly what Detroit would be giving up anyway. Today, I’ll cover all the players that the Blues would be looking at if they were to make a deal with Detroit, and most importantly, why a deal hasn’t happened yet despite the fit.

Monday, we’re going to be covering some NHL trade talks, and we’re going to give Robert Thomas some serious time, so if you want to keep posted for that, the Kicking Tires Podcast comes out every single Monday.

Who Fits the Bill:

So I’m not going to be super strict with the term “top-15” level player because I’d imagine that’s just a different way to say young premium assets. Again, I know full well some of the guys I’m going to mention might not be top-15 level, but they’re going to be damn good players at the NHL level.

Absolute Blue-Chip Assets:

Nate Danielson: Look, if you’re giving up a playmaking right-shot center who plays both ends of the ice well, I’d imagine you’d want to take a chance on Nate Danielson, who has a very similar profile. At his best Danielson can be a very similar player to Thomas. Detroit is trading upside for certainty and timing, and I think St. Louis, which is ready to rebuild, would love a guy who is already looking pretty solid at the AHL level. The biggest problem with Danielson is that he never got top-six minutes during his stint with the Red Wings this season, limiting his production due to the poor depth on this current iteration of the team.

Carter Bear: While I’m not very high on Carter Bear, I know the general public is. Bear is a high motor goal scorer who, at his very best, could pot over 30. Again, trying to look past my personal bias of thinking he’s not all that, he is still a player who was just drafted 14th. With the age and runway, Bear is undoubtedly a blue-chip prospect.

Sebastian Cossa: A huge goaltender who is shutting down the AHL right now. Sebastian Cossa has a trend of struggling down the stretch. But regression this season has his save percentage “down” at .926%, and his goals above average is at 1.99. So for a team that continues to flirt with the idea of moving Jordan Binnington, having Cossa would be a solid change.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård: He’s one of the guys I’d be really uncomfortable trading. He hasn’t been quite as good recently but his physicality is absolutely unmatched. He’s both high motor and hard-hitting, and it combines to create a guy who is built for playoff runs as early as this season.

2026 First Round Pick: Given Detroit’s recent slips, the pick will be around the 20-25 range. It’s still going to be a very valuable asset in what is shaping up to be a great draft class.

The Blues Might Consider:

Trey Augustine: I know there is some differing opinions on who is better between Cossa and Augustine. I largely come to the conclusion that the guy playing pro-hockey and dominating is better than the guy playing NCAA hockey and dominating. There is also the difference in frame that gives Cossa the leg up. Regardless, Augustine is still a top 5-10 goalie prospect in the world. Similar to the Cossa conversation, if a the Blues are looking for goaltending, they have an option here.

Max Plante: Currently sitting in second in the NCAA in points, with 5 more goals than first place, Plante has become one of the most underrated prospects in hockey. If you’re excited about Michael Hage becoming an elite playmaker at the NHL level, Plante a similar tier playmaker with a better scoring touch right now. Playmakers are a rare breed in the NHL right now, and Plante brings that vintage distributor style back.

Dmitri Buchelnikov: Unfortunately a shoulder injury cut his season short, but Buchelnikov has looked amazing these past two seasons. He’s a speedster who put up 20 points in 30 games with CSKA Moscow’s KHL team. Even against men in a limited role, Buchelnikov has proved he can be an effective producer. Signs point to Buchelnikov coming over this summer which is going to be great news for the Blues if they get their hands on him.

Very Unlikely, Possibly Filler:

Anton Johansson: Believe me I’d rather hang onto Johansson. He’s a huge defenceman who is putting up offence against men over in Sweden. He was also nearly a half-point per game during his brief stint in Grand Rapids last season. There’s a lot to like about Johansson and he could easily be a solid fixture on any team’s right side.

Amadeus Lombardi: A small skilled forward who is dancing around at the AHL level. He’s been nearly a point per game the past two seasons in the AHL. His hands are legitimately special and he has a solid scoring touch. The problem is his game may not translate very well to the NHL level.

What Separates Detroit From the Pack?

There are certainly a lot of teams that would love Robert Thomas’ services. He’s a young, cost controlled center who already impacts winning at a high level. He’s in the 77th percentile in the league in offence on a down year while being 83rd percentile in the league in defence. He would be a top six center on any team in the league, that’s not something that gets said lightly.

Well, to begin Detroit is more flexible than any other team in the league in terms of the wingers they can surround Thomas with. If Thomas wants to focus on playmaking, he can play alongside DeBrincat, Kasper or Van Riemsdyk. If he wants to be more of a dual threat he can work alongside Raymond, Finnie or Kane. If he wants to score from the soft areas, he can have guys like Kasper, Finnie, or Brandsegg- Nygard can go fetch him the puck from the dirty areas. It allows Thomas, who is a versatile player, to play the style he desires on any given night.

Second, Detroit fits Thomas’ career trajectory pretty well. Right now, Thomas would be a crucial part of the core that looks to contend in the next for years. Later on in his career, he can take on more of a depth role as the final injection of prospects comes along. Thomas is at the perfect stage in his career to help this Red Wings team change their own outlook.

Finally, it would allow Thomas to hit new highs in his career. Playing alongside Lucas Raymond or Alex DeBrincat would be the best line mates he’d ever played with. For a guy who’s had a 90-point pace recorded before, playing alongside the best players he’s ever had while being on a dangerous power play should see him hit some unreal numbers.

Detroit has the luxury of being able to fit Thomas in seamlessly and have him be a bit of a diva in terms of what role he wants to play on this team as Detroit gears up for playoff runs.

Why I Don’t Think it Will Happen:

I’ve made it pretty clear on how perfect I think Detroit is for Robert Thomas but he might not see it that way. A few days ago we got the news that Detroit was one of the teams Panarin didn’t want to sign with. Last summer, we heard Nikolaj Ehlers deny even letting Detroit make him an offer. Until proven otherwise, it’s safe to say players don’t want to play in Detroit.

Why does that matter for a trade? Robert Thomas has a full no movement clause. I don’t say this with malice because I do believe Detroit is a fantastic hockey city with the best fans and media that the NHL has to offer. But, I think if Detroit seems so perfect and so willing to offer whatever it takes to get Thomas, it’s most likely because Detroit is simply not on the list of places he’s willing to go.

Now, this season has done a lot to correct the narrative of Detroit being a lottery fixture. Detroit sits in a playoff spot and with the addition of Robert Thomas I think they should cruise to a divisional seed. That doesn’t change the fact that they still aren’t tax-free, warm-weather cities.

On the other hand, he is a Toronto boy and Detroit isn’t too far from his family. Not to mention he’d certainly be used to the cold winters. But I think that there is a good reason to be worried about Thomas not being willing to play in Detroit.

It sucks, but that’s the reality of the NHL right now. Just ask Artemi.

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