St Louis Blues Rumors: Insider Names 3 Trade Candidates

The St Louis Blues have already been busy leading up to the trade deadline as they dealt disgruntled winger Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers. Tarasenko has apparently smiled more in his short time in New York than he did all season in St Louis. While others won't be as happy to leave, recently hockey insider Elliotte Friedman named three Blues who should be considered trade chips:

One exec on Vladimir Tarasenko: “He’s smiled more in New York than he did all season in St. Louis.” That was the worry on the talented winger, that he was so unhappy it affected his play. The Rangers are so energized by his arrival, that it reminds you how a trade can elevate your team. The Blues are 2-0 since that trade, and 11-4 without Tarasenko this year. Still more pieces that interest many — from Ryan O’Reilly to Ivan Barbashev to Noel Acciari.

O'Reilly for one has come out publicly to try and stay in St Louis and has even mentioned he'd take less money on his new contract to do so. He's currently rehabbing a broken foot and is expected back in the lineup ahead of the deadline. O'Reilly remains one of the biggest names available on the trade market and there's certainly going to be a bidding war should a contract extension not be worked out.

Acciari and Barbashev have both been linked to several trades these past few weeks and both forwards are also pending unrestricted free agents. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins make sense for both and we could potentially see both players be packaged together in the same deal.

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