NHL Rumors: Coyotes & Blues Emerging as Potential Trade Partners

The St Louis Blues are surprising struggling this season and there's been a ton of speculation regarding the direction of management. For now, it appears the Blues are sticking to the course and will be trying to work through their early struggles before making any drastic decisions.

Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman points out, Blues management is likely looking to make an early trade and one in which they can land some more toughness/jam up front. Friedman points at Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Ritchie as someone they could target.

Friedman on 32TP on the #STLBlues: "I think he's looking for D, I think he's looking for some bite...would someone like Nick Ritchie make sense for the Blues?"
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 11, 2022

Ritchie is big frame at 6-foot-2, 230 lbs, and so far in 13 games he's scored six times and added two assists. After signing on in Toronto a couple of years ago, things didn't work out with the Maple Leafs and he was eventually moved to the Coyotes.

Ritchie makes $2.5 million against the cap, is a pending free agent, and has no trade protection. He's a prime candidate to get moved and it's likely the Coyotes will trade him eventually this season. For now, the Blues appear to be one of the frontrunners.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports