NHL Rumor Mill – January 26, 2026
Which Blues could be moved before the March trade deadline? What’s the latest on Kraken center Shane Wright? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST BLUES SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked when we can expect the St. Louis Blues to begin selling in the trade market.
If they make moves before the March 6 trade deadline, Rutherford expects defenseman Justin Faulk or center Brayden Schenn to be the most likely to be dealt. He acknowledged that goaltender Jordan Binnington has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill, but thinks he’s more likely to be traded in the offseason.
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).
Rutherford also noted the rumors swirling around Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. He doesn’t rule out one of them getting moved, but doubts that contending clubs have sufficient cap space to make significant additions like that before the trade deadline. Both players also have full no-trade clauses.
Rutherford was also asked why Colton Parayko hasn’t been mentioned in trade rumors. He claimed the Blues aren’t looking to move him, citing his role as a 22-minute per game shutdown defenseman. He’s got four years left on his contract, and the Blues need him if they hope to be competitive.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn has a 15-team no-trade list and an average annual value of $6.5 million through 2027-28. Interested parties could prefer the Blues retain part of his cap hit. Faulk has the same trade list and AAV, though for one less year. Binnington has a year left on his deal with a $6 million AAV and a 14-team no-trade list.
Thomas and Kyrou have identical AAVs ($8.125 million) through 2030-31. There are some clubs with plentiful cap space (hello there, Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings) who can afford to take on either forward, but they could balk at the asking price. For example, the Blues reportedly want a stud top-six forward who is 22-24 years old as part of the return for Thomas.
TRADE RUMORS STILL SWIRLING AROUND SHANE WRIGHT
SPORTSNET: Shane Wright recently told reporters that he’s focusing on hockey, rather than the trade rumors flying around him. The Seattle Kraken are reportedly listening to offers for the 22-year-old center, who they chose fourth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently claimed the Kraken could use Wright as trade bait to add a dynamic scorer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Once a highly-touted young center, Wright seemed poised for a breakout after tallying 44 points last season. However, his production and his playing time have declined this season.
Given his youth, he still has time to develop into a reliable middle-six center, but the Kraken might have to bundle him with a first-rounder or a top prospect if they hope to land a dynamic scorer.
What about Pittsburgh for Robert Thomas. Dubas has picks and assets. It also is a great transition. Move Malkin to LW let Thomas take 2 c
Now when did and gang leave ya have a leader for the next group
Also now it makes sense for their playoff push. They have cap space and this would show sod Dubas is trying to get him help
Robert Thomas would be a great fit. Malking is already playing wing and with that shot he should be i wonder what St.Louis is asking?
The Penguins are really playing some good hockey especoally on that 4 game canada swing sweeping…now they just have to start doing this at home.
Skinner Kulak have fit in well and I would resign them both. Notice how Kris Leturnover has suddenly played better that is because Kulak is with him and Pittsburgh has taken to Skinner.
I like either Thomas Connor Garland for the Penguins
Letang always played good with a stay at home D partner.. Skudari
Not sure the Pens have the assets for Thomas. It would likely take a package of Kindel and 2 of Brunicke, Ilyin, Horcoff, plus 2026 1st, to get a discussion started with Army.
Probably right on that Brian..
Thomas and Faulk (retain $1M) for Robo and Lybushkin
Someone has to say it! 😉
Hard pass on that one
Are folks in Dallas totally convinced that the Stars are trading Robertson? Every proposed trade I have seen so far has been for lesser value than what Robertson is worth.
Yeah, on the surface it doesn’t make much sense Toronto St Pats … unless Nill sees his pending RFA negotiations as demanding a cap hit that he foresees as highly problematic, even with the cap rising again.
Robertson will be coming off a cap hit of $7,750,000 and a season where he is on track for 47g 47a 94 pts! That’s going to cost big time – certainly in the $11 mil range.
Nil also has two other RFAs to re-up in Bourque and Lundqvist, and 5 UFAs to either re-sign or find adequate replacements for (Benn, Erne, Bastian, Petrovic and Copobianca). Nothing earth-shattering there … but they still need 5 bodies there and I don’t think they’re THAT deep in their system where they can elevate 5 ELCs.
Dallas is projected to have about $16M of cap space next year with Robo as RFA plus 7 other RFA/UFA positions to sign or replace.
And rumor is that Robo wants $12M per year. That’s why the rumors exist, because Dallas can’t give him $12M AND fill out the rest of the roster with the remaining $4M.
They still have another year of carrying Seguin’s $9.9M contract…. that is the biggest barrier to retain him.
IMO Blues and Seattle revisit the Kyrou for Wright deal they nearly completed before the 25 draft.
To STL: Sonny Milano (cap reasons UFA season end)?plus pick/prospect combo (that stl would want)
To Washington :Kyrou
He fits their now and future plans with Ovi retiring soonish
He is younger than going after a Panarin too
Do the blues have anything close to resembling a bonafide 1c if they move on from Thomas.
I just dont see him as a player that gets moved during the season.
Oilers fan I agree but I think either Kyrou or Thomas goes…my bet Kyrou
Unless they get blown away with a strong return but you make a good point.
If the Penguins don’t have the assets and the have cap space and assets draft picks etc for Thomas i doubt the Oilers do and they have 0 cap space.
1Oilerfan, Dvorsky but then you don’t have a 2 center unless one comes back or a 1 center comes back. The speculation on Thomas is purely that because nobody is giving away the farm for him and that is what Armstrong is asking.
Kyrou on the other hand could definitely be moved. Based on his play this year I think both the player and the team are ready for a change of scenery.
Wright to Philly for Mitchkov. Makes the most sense of any potential trade.
How so, Craig? Not sure I follow, other than the fact both are on similar ELCs this year and next before becoming RFAs, and that both were 1st Tund picks (Michkov 7th overall and Wright 4th overall – a year apart.
Statistically, however, Wright has played 146 carer games so far, with 82-game averages of 17g 21a 38 pts, while Michkov has played 129 with 82-game averages of 24g 33a 57 pts.
Why would the Flyers give that up for, yes, a C but hardly one who is coming even close to a 4th overall pick?
Stars fan…Agreed but we haven’t had a Scuderi in a long time…like 4 ever LOL
I don’t understand why teams rush players into the NHL if they’re not going to be patient. Many, many great players do not fully break out until they are 25-26 years old.
Would Penguins take a gamble on Wright? Say a 2028 1st and 2027 3rd?
He can learn from Sid
Fits their retool age
Maybe that is up Dubas alley and he has been successful with guys like Chinakov etc.
Maybe that is a summer time deal?
how about Matthews for Thomas and Kryou
Wow, wouldn’t a trade like that be something.
Matthews wouldn’t wave
Soucy is close to being an Islander.
Being held out tonight.