The St. Louis Blues head into their off-season with management facing decisions regarding two key players.
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic believes they must decide whether Jordan Kyrou fits into their long-term plans before his no-trade clause kicks in on July 1.
The 27-year-old right winger had one of his best all-around seasons, netting 36 goals and 70 points. However, Rutherford noted that he had only three goals in seven playoff games and was on the ice for five goals-for and five against.
Kyrou has six years left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.125 million. Rutherford wondered if he matches the club’s vision of the future, specifically that of “GM-in-waiting Alex Steen.”
Rutherford also wondered if management might revisit trade discussions with team captain Brayden Schenn. At the trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators were reportedly interested in the 33-year-old center, but he insisted on staying in St. Louis.
Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million. He has a full no-movement clause, but it reverts to a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. Teams that fail to land one of this summer’s top free-agent centers could look into his availability.
Turning to the Colorado Avalanche, Corey Masisak of the Denver Postwondered who would fill their second-line center role.
Trade deadline acquisition Brock Nelson is UFA-eligible on July 1. If he departs, free agent options could include Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers and John Tavares of the Maple Leafs.
Masisak noted the Avalanche have sufficient cap space to re-sign Nelson or bring in a replacement. He speculated they could also move a contract to free up additional room, suggesting Martin Necas as a trade chip if they really want to shake things up.
Necas was acquired in January’s blockbuster trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. He has a year left on his contract with a $6.5-million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection.
It’s unlikely that the Avalanche would trade the key player they got from Carolina in the Rantanen deal. However, few folks expected the Hurricanes would trade Rantanen to Dallas mere weeks after acquiring him from Colorado.
In Vancouver, the Province‘s Ben Kuzma thinks the Canucks should include their 2025 first-rounder (15th overall) in a trade package to acquire a second-line center.
There is concern about whether struggling Elias Pettersson is a true first-line center. Questions also linger over the health of frequently sidelined center Filip Chytil.
Kuzma suggested targeting someone like Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old center recently expressed his unhappiness over the club’s lack of significant movement at the trade deadline to improve their roster down the stretch. However, there is no indication that he wants out of Detroit.
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