The NHL’s Olympic roster freeze is over and the final push towards Friday’s trade deadline is under way. TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest news and rumours with the daily Countdown to TradeCentre blog.
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Sabres Out on Thomas?
After making a push to acquire forward Robert Thomas on Tuesday, it appears talks are dead for the Buffalo Sabres with the St. Louis Blues.
“It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks,” TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger wrote Wednesday morning on X. “Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young centre.”
The price tag has always been reported to be high on Thomas, with 26-year-old centre signed through the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $8.125 million. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported Tuesday the Sabres were dangling the equivalent of four-first round picks in talks with the Blues.
“The Blues have been looking for three to four ‘premium assets’ in this deal, which is one of the reasons all these teams out there with that interest haven’t got to the point where Buffalo is,” Johnston said Tuesday on Insider Trading.
“What I can tell you with the Sabres is the belief is they have gotten into that range where we’re talking about a package of picks, players and prospects that gets to about four players.”
Update: It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks. Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young center.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026
Thomas has 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games with the Blues this season.
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.
Buffalo currently sits second in the Atlantic Division, picking another two points Tuesday with a win over the Vegas Golden Knights, and appear to be getting aggressive as the team closes on ending its 14-year playoff drought.
“I think that the Sabres and Jarmo Kekäläinen were at least willing to go the distance in the trade negotiations,” Dreger explained Wednesday. “But at the end of the day, it sounded like it came down to four significant pieces, including a roster player off of the Sabres, that Buffalo just couldn’t come to terms with.
“So, we’re not closing the door entirely, and as we’ve said before here, be mindful of the fact that Thomas is a good player in St. Louis. He’s a young player on a long-term contract, so they’re not in a hurry to get rid of him. Armstrong has been fishing for a big haul, and Buffalo just wasn’t willing to provide that.”
Johnston noted Tuesday the Sabres have also been looking to add a defenceman, though it is unclear where their focus will now shift if acquiring Thomas is off the table for them.
Dreger adds that the Blues and Sabres engaged on talks about blueliners and, with Buffalo wanting a right-hand shot, Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko have been mentioned as possibilities.
As for suitors who could move in on Thomas, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun said Tuesday the Montreal Canadiens will not be making a bid after checking on the Blues’ asking price.
“Yes, (the Canadiens) had conversations with the Blues about Thomas, but when the ask involves the likes of Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, plus, plus, it doesn’t make sense right now from the Habs’ perspective to get into that kind of transaction,” LeBrun explained.
“They’re just starting their windowhere; this is not the time for them to have the blockbuster that puts them over the top.
“The Habs are being really patient, from what I understand, they’re waiting for some deals to come to them, but they’re not going to force one here on Robert Thomas unless the price comes down.”
Montreal is currently in the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, three points back of the Sabres with a game in hand.
Will Nemec be moved?
LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils are taking calls on 2022 second overall pick Simon Nemec as the deadline draws closer.
He adds there is no shortage of teams checking in on the 22-year-old defenceman and, while the Devils are in no rush to move him, will consider doing so if the trade upgrades their forward group in a real way.
Nemec has nine goals and 21 points in 47 games this season while averaging 19:42 of ice time. He represented Slovakia at the Olympics last month, posting two assists in six games
Going to be interesting to see what happens on the Simon Nemec front. Devils are taking calls on the second overall pick from ’22. No shortage of teams checking in. New Jersey happy to keep him, but if there’s a deal that upgrades their forwards in a real way, they’re going to…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 4, 2026
Nemec had two goals and four points in 27 games with the Devils last season, while also appearing in 34 AHL games. He posted three goals and 19 points as a rookie with New Jersey in 2023-24.
He is scheduled for restricted free agency this summer as his entry-level contract comes to a close.
