Thomas talks dead between Buffalo Sabers and St. Louis Blues?
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Knows Out on Thomas?
After making a push to amass ahead Robert Thomas on Tuesday, it seems talks are dead for the Buffalo Sabers 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
The price ticket has all the time been reported to be excessive on Thomas, with 26-year-old heart signed by way of the 2030-31 season at a cap hit of $8.125 million. TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported Tuesday the Sabers had been dangling the equal of four-first spherical 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 stated Tuesday on Insider Trading.
“What I can tell you with the Sabers 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 gap on Thomas commerce talks. Sounds just like the Sabers aren’t keen to half with the mandatory items. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still groups nibbling, however the Blues are agency in what the return must be for the younger heart.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026
Thomas has 12 objectives and 35 factors in 43 video games with the Blues this season.
The 6-foot heart is on the third season of an eight-year, $65 million contract, which features a full no-trade clause.
Thomas helped the Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, recording a objective and six factors in 21 playoff video games.
He was chosen twentieth general within the 2017 draft.
Buffalo at present sits second within the Atlantic Division, choosing one other two factors Tuesday with a win over the Vegas Golden Knightsand seem like getting aggressive because the workforce closes on ending its 14-year playoff drought.
“I think that the Sabers and Jarmo Kekäläinen were at least willing to go the distance in the trade negotiations,” Dreger defined Wednesday. “But on the finish of the day, it sounded prefer it got here all the way down to 4 vital items, together with a roster participant off of the Sabres, that Buffalo simply could not come to phrases 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 famous Tuesday the Sabers have additionally been trying so as to add a defenseman, although it’s unclear the place their focus will now shift if buying Thomas is off the desk for them.
Dreger provides that the Blues and Sabers engaged in talks about blueliners and, with Buffalo wanting a right-hand shot, Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko have been talked about as prospects.
As for suitors who might transfer in on Thomas, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun stated Tuesday the Montreal Canadiens is not going to be making a bid after checking on the Blues’ asking worth.
“Yes, (the Canadiens) had conversations with the Blues about Thomas, however when the ask includes the likes of Michael Hage, David Reinbacherplus, plus, it does not make sense proper now from the Habs’ perspective to get into that form of transaction,” LeBrun explained.
“They’re simply beginning their window right here; this isn’t the time for them to have the blockbuster that places them excessive.
“The Habs are being actually affected person, from what I perceive, they’re ready for some offers to return to them, however they are not going to power one right here on Robert Thomas until the value comes down.”
Montreal is currently in the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, three points back of the Sabers with a game in hand.
Will Nemec be moved?
LeBrun reviews the New Jersey Devils are taking calls on 2022 second general decide Simon Nemec because the deadline attracts nearer.
He adds there is no shortage of teams checking in on the 22-year-old defenseman and, while the Devils are in no rush to move him, he 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 objectives and 4 factors in 27 video games with the Devils final season, whereas additionally showing in 34 AHL video games. I’ve posted three objectives and 19 factors as a rookie with New Jersey in 2023-24.
He is scheduled for restricted free company this summer time as his entry-level contract comes to shut.
