Austin Konenski
The St. Louis Blues could be trading Robert Thomas ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline. With St. Louis out of playoff contention, Thomas has been in trade conversations, and the likelihood of him playing in a new city is rising. The 26-year-old center might be the best NHL player to be traded this week.
Below, we dive into the five best landing spots for Thomas if the Blues trade him for a massive haul!
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche would be a shocking destination, but the fit would be fantastic. Colorado could use an upgrade at center behind Nathan McKinnon and Brock Nelson, and Thomas would give the team a fearsome third line. This would be a complicated deal with financials, but it would be worth it.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are one of few teams that have the assets and need for Thomas. Detroit could move two first-round picks with Nate Danielson or Marco Kasper. The St. Louis center would immediately become one of Detroit’s core players, and solidify the organization’s push to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins could use some more help at center as their push to the Stanley Cup playoffs continues into March. After trading Brad Marchand last season, acquiring Thomas would be a great way to get rid of the trade deadline blues. St. Louis is asking for a big haul and Boston should be able to fulfill their desires.
Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth are in the hunt. Utah needs another top-six center long-term and much like Detroit, it has the financial and asset flexibility to swing a deal with St. Louis. Thomas would be an excellent fit with the Mammoth, and a long-term partnership would be desirable for both sides.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t officially out of playoffs contention, but their odds are decreasing by the week. By acquiring Thomas, Toronto would set itself up for a massive push while improving its situation for the 2026-27 NHL season. The Maple Leafs are more likely to be sellers, but don’t push away an opportunity for a long-term core player.
Read: 5 Trade Targets for Detroit Red Wings at 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, Including Robert Thomas
