Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on the 32 Thoughts Podcast that the Blues have drawn a very clear line when it comes to trade discussions involving the 26-year-old forward.
The Blues essentially need an overwhelming package that’s too good to turn down.
“Robert Thomas, that’s an interesting one. I’ve spent a few days looking into that. He’s 26 years old, he’ll be 27 in July. What it sounds like, if the Blues really wanted to do this … you make them say there’s no way we can say no.”
Thomas has four more years on his eight-year, $65-million contract that he signed back in 2022, which carries an $8.13 million cap hit.
He added, “So it is either a huge package that makes them say we can’t say no to this or the other thing I have heard, is they’re looking for like a stud top-six forward who’s slightly younger than Thomas.”
Friedman suggested the Blues are probably looking at somebody who is 22 to 24 years old.
“It’s like leasing a Toyota,” Friedman explained. “You finish with one model, then you trade it in for a slightly younger model.”
The 26-year-old has 11 goals and 33 points through 42 games this season and in 508 career games in St. Louis, Thomas has 118 goals and 429 points.
The Blues selected the Aurora, Ont., native 20th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft.
