NHL Rumors: 2 St Louis Blues Trade Candidates

As one of the Stanley Cup contenders in the western conference, the St Louis Blues will be buyers at this season's trade deadline. Management has less than a full week to land some upgrades and according to multiple reports throughout the past couple of weeks, the Blues are interested in some big fish on the trade market. While talent coming in means some has to leave, let's take a look at two Blues who will likely be dealt if St Louis finalizes some deals before the deadline:

Ivan Barbashev

The 26-year-old Russian forward is a former second-round pick who is developing nicely into a top-six forward. He's mostly played on the wing this season with Ryan O'Reilly and could find himself on the way out if the Blues acquire one of Claude Giroux or Jakob Chychrun. Barbashev is signed through next season at $2.25 million against the cap, a number that is very reasonable for other teams to absorb. He's having a career season, already eclipsing 42 points in 58 games, shattering his previous career high of 26 points from two seasons ago. 

Jordan Binnington

Who would have guessed this a couple of seasons ago, but Binnington is starting to lose the net to Ville Husso in St Louis. Husso is a touch younger than Binnington but the story here could be the salary comparisons as the Stanley Cup champion is signed through the 2026-27 season at $6 million per year, meanwhile Husso is a pending free agent who is only making $750,000 against the cap. Binnington has no-trade protection which goes down to modified no-trade protection in 2024 as he'll then submit a list of 18 teams he prefers to avoid. For now, any deal would need his approval and perhaps a move to either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Washington Capitals would be enough to say yes.

Photo credit:  Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports