As NHL trade rumors intensify around St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn, speculation points to a potential reunion with his brother Luke on the Winnipeg Jets (left) or a move to the Toronto Maple Leafs (right) to bolster their lineup.
If you have been following the St. Louis Blues this season, the writing hasn’t just been on the wall—it’s been spray-painted in neon orange. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, 2026 is officially the year Doug Armstrong pulls the trigger on a Brayden Schenn trade.
The Blues are currently sitting seven points out of a playoff spot with a league-worst -44 goal differential. That isn’t a slump; that is a systemic failure. As an analyst watching this team, it is painful to see a roster stuck in the “mushy middle” of the NHL standings. But the context here is vital: Doug Armstrong is in his final deadline season before handing the GM reins to Alexander Steen. Armstrong is a legacy builder. He does not want to hand Steen a roster anchored by aging contracts and a losing culture. He wants to leave a clean slate.
The Schenn Brothers Reunion: Winnipeg Jets or Toronto Maple Leafs?
Here is where the insider talk gets spicy. Brayden Schenn was hot commodity last deadline, but his $6.5 million cap hit (with two years remaining) is a hurdle. However, the motivation is personal. It is widely believed that Brayden and his brother, Luke Schenn, are actively communicating a desire to play together before they retire.
This points to two fascinating destinations.
First, the Winnipeg Jets. Luke is already there on an expiring deal. The fit is natural, the story is perfect, but the money is tight. The Jets would need St. Louis to retain salary to make Brayden’s contract palatable.
Second, the chaos option: The Toronto Maple Leafs. Kypreos explicitly mentioned Toronto needs a defenseman and a scorer. In a wild scenario, could the Leafs acquire both? Toronto has never shied away from “getting creative” with the cap. Luke brings the grit the Leafs perpetually lack on the blue line, and Brayden brings the heavy playoff style that Toronto needs in their top six.
If I am betting today, I think Armstrong does right by his captain. He moves Schenn to a contender where he can reunite with Luke. Whether that is in Winnipeg or via a blockbuster double-deal to Toronto remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: The Blues’ current core is finished.
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