The St. Louis Blues have continued to build toward becoming a playoff contender, but there is always room for more improvement when a team is looking to take the next step. The NHL trade market can provide tons of talent and opportunities to address weaknesses on the team and add depth as well. The Blues could also bring in players that would immediately make an impact.
For St. Louis, the focus could be finding the fit between improving the current roster and building for the future. A good trade could provide the Blues, with scoring, strength, and defense, and fill out the depth throughout the roster. The goal for the Blues would be to get players but not give up much in return.
With the trade market filled with talented players, there are several players that could make an impact for the Blues. Here are three NHL players St. Louis should consider trading for.
3 NHL Trade Targets Who Could Make the Blues Better
Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes
Alexander Nikishin still remains on the trade market. The 24-year-old defenseman remains an interesting choice for the Blues. Nikishin requested a trade during the off-season, and he still has not signed a contract extension. The Blues would be a perfect fit for Nikishin.
The Blues have a lot of assets to acquire Nikishin in a trade. The only problem is, would the Blues really be willing to trade a player like Jimmy Snuggerud or Dalibor Dvorsky? Those two could both become superstars in the future. But a player like Jake Neighbours would not be a horrible idea, a two-time 20-goal scoring winger who could definitely give the Carolina Hurricanes some depth.
The Blues don’t really have the draft capital to offer, but if the Hurricanes are willing to wait for young talented players, then the Blues definitely have what they need.
Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
The drama surrounding Connor Hellebuyck has shaken up the NHL, especially after his trade request and his suspension for not showing up to practice. As one of the league’s top goaltenders, any trade involving him carries a massive price tag.
Hellebuyck would make sense for the Blues since goaltending is definitely a problem for them. Hellebuyck gives them an established elite option.
Hellebuyck has three Vezina Trophies and the Hart Memorial Trophy. The Blues have a lot of assets that they can include in the trade with Hellebuyck. The Blues had a problem last year, and it was mainly goaltending, allowing too many goals to be scored by their opponents. Hellebuyck could definitely help with that problem, and maybe even solve the situation.
A trade for Hellebuyck is a very big deal, for a goaltender like him who has won so many awards, and he has a very big price tag as well. For the Winnipeg Jets to be willing to deal Hellebuyck, St. Louis would probably need to give up prospects, draft picks, or young players that could develop into superstars in the future.
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. That changed a lot for Detroit. Larkin is a center and a big piece for the Red Wings. For St. Louis to acquire him, they would have to give up a whole lot.
Larkin is only 30 years old, which still gives him a lot of time to win the Stanley Cup. The Red Wings missed the postseason, and that is probably one of the things that did it for Larkin. The Blues are definitely true contenders for the playoffs this season.
Doug Armstrong just retired as General Manager of the Blues, and Alexander Steen just took over. Steen is definitely not afraid to do a trade like this to make his team a true contender for the Stanley Cup. Larkin would bring the Blues goal-scoring and assists with his talent. Larkin has scored 30 goals per season for the last couple of years. He would be a perfect fit between Robert Thomas and Mason McTavish.
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