The 2025 Trade Deadline was March 7, with some big trades around the league shaking up the hockey world. However, the St. Louis Blues didn’t join the trade hype at the deadline for the second season in a row. They did the same thing in 2024 and finished the deadline only dealing Malcolm Subban to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Making almost no trades at the deadline was a questionable move, but it shows they are focused on the future and how limited they are at making major blockbuster trades that could risk losing talent. Let’s dive into why the Blues didn’t make any moves at the deadline.
Keeping Schenn for a Possible Postseason Push
Ahead of the trade deadline, the Blues were in talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Brayden Schenn; however, on deadline day, the Blues and Maple Leafs did not complete the trade. There was a good chance that this trade would not work as Schenn has a no-trade clause (NTC), meaning the Blues would have to gain his approval to trade him. In this case, he was not ready to leave and refused to proceed with the trade. After the Blues’ victory over the Anaheim Ducks on March 8, when asked about his trade situation at the deadline, he said, “I’ve always said, I love being a Blue. I love playing here.”
The Blues are within reach of a playoff spot, and it makes sense why Schenn doesn’t want to leave when they are two points away from a wild-card spot. He is the only authentic leader they have right now as captain, and if they were to make the playoffs, it would be a significant boost to the roster’s morale. The Blues could’ve had a chance to load up on draft picks from the Maple Leafs, but I think at this point, they have more than enough to compete long-term and are not ready to make big moves until they become a serious contender.
Related: Insider Reveals Why Maple Leafs Chose Laughton Over Schenn
This season is also Schenn’s last on an NTC, and as of next season, he will be on a modified no-trade clause (M-NTC), which could also justify why they didn’t trade him because the M-NTC will give the Blues a 15-team list of where he would go so they can make an easy trade based on that. He also has three seasons left on his contract after this season and will be in more of a trade situation by then. For now, I think keeping him will be most likely for leadership and a veteran presence in the locker room, especially with upcoming prospects like Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorksy, who may make an NHL appearance later this season.
Blues’ Lack of Tradeable Assets Would Risk Losing Prospects
Outside of Schenn, the Blues did not have much to give up at the deadline; their best possible trade options were Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Scott Perunovich, whom they traded a few months before the deadline. That said, their top defensemen and forwards are either too high value or have no-trade clauses and would leave their top prospects as the only tradable assets they have available. Losing any of their prospects would hurt the future of their roster and set them back a lot more than they already are.
Regarding roster talent, the Blues are a mediocre team right now, and the last thing they need to do is trade away the one thing they have built up very well. In a few seasons, if their prospects start to be implemented into their roster slowly, and they turn out to be what they expected, then the Blues will be scary. The last time Blues’ general manager Doug Armstrong traded a top prospect was Tage Thompson to the Buffalo Sabres in their big deal for Ryan O’Reilly in 2018-19, the same season they won the Stanley Cup.
But the Blues aren’t that team anymore, and they won’t give up their most valuable assets, such as Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Colton Parayko. These are the team’s new leaders, and they will be crucial to helping the prospects come in and become the skilled players they need to be to restore the Blues to a multi-season contending team like they used to be.
The Blues’ Trade Patience Will Pay Off in the End
In the NHL, teams are growing their talent every season to the point where they are building their depth both offensively and defensively. The Blues’ ability to stay patient and not make big moves will help them build that team with their prospects and veteran forwards. Also, with Armstrong leaving the general manager position in 2026, he will have to leave everything roster-related intact for Alexander Steen, who will take over his role in the front office. With Steen in control of things soon, the roster will also have more NHL experience and expertise to lead them, as Steen was a long-time Blues legend and knows the game well enough to create a winning roster.
