Blues Set Huge Price Tag on Robert Thomas Trade

The St. Louis Blues have set a steep price for their star center, Robert Thomas. GM Doug Armstrong wants three first‑round assets in the top half of the draft. That could be a young established player, a promising prospect, and a high draft pick. Thomas’s contract adds another layer of difficulty. He has a no‑move clause that must be waived for any trade to happen. Teams may try to convince him if the Blues plan a long‑term rebuild. The current offer is higher than what Armstrong had previously discussed.Earlier, he sought a talented center similar to Thomas but slightly younger. Because of the high asking price and the contract hurdle, a deal is unlikely before the trade deadline. Fans expect any transaction to take place in the summer window. Thomas’s performance has dipped this season, with 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games. In earlier seasons he consistently exceeded a point‑per‑game pace. Overall, the Blues’ lofty demands and Thomas’s contract make a trade challenging. The team will likely keep him on the roster until next season.