Trade talks between the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues involving forward Robert Thomas are heating up, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston adds the Sabres are believed to be dangling the equivalent of multiple first-round picks in their pursuit.
Buffalo currently sits second in the Atlantic Division and appear to be getting aggressive as the team closes on ending their 14-year playoff drought.
Thomas has 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games with the Blues this season.
The Blues have been exploring interest in Thomas, though the price tag is believed to extremely high with 26-year-old centre signed through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $8.125 million.
The #sabres are viewed around the industry as a potential dark horse team that could spice up this trade deadline.
Further to @DarrenDreger report, Buffalo is believed to be dangling the equivalent of multiple 1st-rounders in Robert Thomas talks. https://t.co/nWXXL6HUzZ
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 3, 2026
“He’s available because the St. Louis Blues continue to want to redo their roster, to get younger, and also because they’re incredibly disappointed with their season,” TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun explained Tuesday on Insider Trading.
“I mean, this is a team that made the playoffs last year and came within a whisker of getting to the second round. So when you have this kind of season, you’ve got to look at your core, and it’s not just Thomas. They’ve been listening on other core players too, but obviously he’s the sexy name because he’s a No. 1 centre.
“I will say that in talking to people who have an understanding of what the Blues are asking, I was told that as of last night, the price was still astronomical for Thomas. By the way, as it should be, I mean, 26-year-old No. 1 centres on a decent contract don’t come around very often.
“I think St. Louis is well within its rights to be asking for the moon for Thomas. I mean, look at how much Quinn Hughes, a No. 1 defenceman, fetched earlier this year from Minnesota getting him from Vancouver. These prices should be high for these types of players.
“I’m not convinced that it’s going to lower that much by Friday’s deadline, because again, the Blues don’t have to move him. As one team executive told me: Is this about the Blues really getting a full sense of the market for him and then circling back in the off-season on a lot of these discussions? It could be, but I will also say this: I also talked to another team executive who was actually convinced that Thomas will move by Friday’s deadline. So we shall see.”
The 6-foot centre is on the third season of an eight-year, $65 million contract, which includes a full no-trade clause.
Thomas helped the Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, recording a goal and six points in 21 playoff games.
He was selected 20th overall in the 2017 draft.
