Blues Trade Rumors: Insider's "Juicy Tidbit" May Help Get Pavel Buchnevich Moved This Week

Next to Jake Guentzel, Pavel Buchnevich is easily the best offensive player available at the trade deadline, and St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong knows it. According to insider Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the price is set high, which is along the lines of a couple of first-rounders (or equivalent) and more. Buchnevich still has another year remaining on a reasonable $5.8 million cap hit.

I don’t think Armstrong thinks he needs to reduce the price one bit this week for a very productive player who he’s just as happy to keep.

That said, the fishing line and hook are definitely in the water. Colleague Chris Johnston has reported the cost is at least what the Calgary Flames got in dealing Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, which was a package of a first-round pick, two prospects and an NHL player.

I just don’t know why contending teams... that are seeking a top-six forward will need to pay this kind of price when they can get rentals for less. The sense I have as of now is teams view the price as too rich.

Which might be why we get a new report this afternoon that the Blues are willing to retain a full 50% on Buchnevich, a move that would certainly help to facilitate a deal. 

. @frank_seravalli shares some interesting development in the Pavel Buchnevich Trade Market.@tyleryaremchuk

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"This is a juicy tidbit," says Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli. "At not $5.8 million, but just $2.9 million, which, to me, a point-per-game player... you get two (playoff) runs at him with a really reasonable rate on your cap, I can certainly see that being worth the haul.

"Man, that all of a sudden becomes a really fascinating target." 

As recently as last week, there were six teams listed as top suitors for the Blues' offensive weapon, though a couple may have dropped out of the running after making other moves up front on Wednesday. But for teams who lose out on Guentzel, Buchnevich is more than just a consolation prize. 

The 28-year-old Russian winger is on pace for his second 30-goal season in the last three years, with 24 markers thus far in 60 games. 

In his eight-year career Buchnevich has 386 points in 497 games along with an impressive plus-minus rating of +58.

Photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports