Stunning New Team in 'Heated Talks' With Blues Over Robert Thomas

The Robert Thomas Sweepstakes might have just taken a stunning new turn. Insider Darren Dreger has reported that talks are 'heating up' between the Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues over the young star center.

GM’s are describing the NHL landscape as a “buyers market”. Tons of players in play. Keep an eye on the Buffalo Sabres. Sources say talks between Buffalo and St Louis involving Robert Thomas are heating up.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 3, 2026

The Sabres have been one of the NHL's hottest teams over the past couple of months, and they could be looking to supercharge their playoff push with a blockbuster move like this.

Dreger added on Insider Trading Tuesday afternoon, "It's pretty evident Jarmo Kekäläinen, the new GM of the Buffalo Sabres, is trying to put his stamp on this team and bolster his lineup... At this point it does feel like the Buffalo Sabres are the frontrunners."

Insider Chris Johnston has followed up on Dreger's report by writing that "The Sabres are viewed around the industry as a potential dark horse team that could spice up this trade deadline...

Buffalo is believed to be dangling the equivalent of multiple 1st-rounders in Robert Thomas talks."

Thomas does have a full no-trade clause, so he would have to approve a deal to send him to Buffalo.

Thomas has not been asked yet to waive his NTC to Buffalo. #stlblues https://t.co/qtQjroigm9
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) March 3, 2026

For now, Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford says that Thomas has not been asked to waive his NTC for a Buffalo deal..... Yet. He adds that the Blues had interest in Buffalo D-man Bowen Byram last summer, but that he’s not expected to be part of a potential Thomas deal.

The Sabres are currently tied for second place in the Atlantic Division, just four points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for top spot. After 14 years of missing the playoffs, they're not about to waste this opportunity.

Thomas, 26, is in the 3rd year of an eight-year deal with an $8.125 million AAV. He's been better than a point-per-game player over the previous four seasons, though his numbers are down this year on a struggling Blues squad.

He remains the biggest name available at this trade deadline.