12 players the Blues could add to their core with Timo Meier off the market

When the Blues traded Ryan O’Reilly to the Maple Leafs, general manager Doug Armstrong made a comment that gave a good indication of how he was approaching the team’s trade deadline and future in general.

Armed with a lot of draft picks, Armstrong said: “One thing that I do know is if we move picks or players, it’s not going to be for one-year players. We need to retrench with players 25, 26 (years old) and under that have term on their contracts so they can grow with that next core of players we have.”

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The Sharks’ Timo Meier — the top player on The Athletic’s trade board — stood out as a fit, and it looked like the Blues were willing to part with two of their three 2023 first-round draft picks to get him. There were other suitors, though, and in a big deal Sunday, the Devils were the team to land him.

The Blues did make one move Sunday — an inevitable one that sent pending unrestricted free agent Ivan Barbashev to Vegas for 20-year-old prospect Zach Dean. It’s a deal that graded out well for the Blues.

Also over the weekend, the Blues claimed 26-year-old forward Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from Pittsburgh. The 6-foot-1, 194-pound winger has 70 goals and 172 points in 364 NHL games. Kapanen is expected to practice with the Blues on Monday and could be available for Tuesday’s game against Seattle.

“He’s a guy that was a high pick (No. 22 in 2014), a lot of talent, and hopefully we can get more out of him here,” Blues coach Craig Berube said.

Headline: Golden Knights acquire Ivan Barbashev from Blues: Source #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) February 26, 2023

The Blues core will continue to feature Robert Thomas (23 years old) and Jordan Kyrou (23). They lead the team in points this season, but due in large part to both receiving eight-year, $65 million contracts that start in 2023-24, they have come under plenty of scrutiny.

“Yeah, I’m still 23, so I’m still learning,” Thomas said. “I’m going to make a lot of mistakes. I have in the past, and I’m going to continue to (make mistakes) as I grow up — kind of learn the way of pro sports. But I think if you stick with the hard work and just being open to making mistakes and learning from them, you’ll find yourself in a better place down the road.”

Will that road include any additional help from Armstrong, either before the NHL’s trade deadline on March 3 or this offseason?

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Along with The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman, we’ve identified 12 players (10 forwards, two defensemen) between ages 23 and 27 and split them into several categories in which they could be options for the Blues. Here’s a look.

Probably won’t happen

They could become available eventually, so you can’t leave them off the list.

David Pastrnak, F, Bruins: Pastrnak’s the biggest long shot, but until the pending unrestricted free agent extends in Boston, every other team should hope he’ll be available this summer. The Bruins winger is an elite offensive generator. He’s strong in transition, is a volume shooter who can drive to the quality areas and has one of the league’s most lethal shots. He’s the kind of player who would fit on any team.

Alex DeBrincat, F, Senators: It’s been an unlucky season for DeBrincat, but that shouldn’t stop teams from looking into him. While his goal generation and overall scoring rate have dipped the past few years, it’s not for a lack of trying. He’s shooting the puck more this year and creating more scoring chances. The results just aren’t there as consistently, and his shooting percentage is slightly below his career average. Maybe having a premier playmaker like Thomas would help turn that around — if he becomes available, which, at the moment, doesn’t appear to be the case.

Dylan Larkin, F, Red Wings: Now that O’Reilly has been moved, the Blues are down one of their top-six centers. While Larkin, stylistically, isn’t an exact replica, he’d help fulfill the role they’re missing. He’s a volume shooter who can play in all situations. Larkin excels off the rush and, in most seasons, helps keep the ice tilted for his team. But with the Red Wings’ playoff hopes still alive, any move for him would likely come in the offseason.

Long-term fits

Players with four-plus years left on their current contracts, or those who will likely be signing a long-term deal elsewhere.

Clayton Keller, F, Coyotes: Keller’s name hasn’t really been featured in trade talks, but the Coyotes’ timeline just doesn’t line up with his. That’s why it could make sense to move him to a team looking to turn things around a bit quicker, like St. Louis. He isn’t the same caliber player as some of ones above, but he’s still an offensive talent who can make a difference with his shot-making and puck movement. Being on a stronger team could be a game-changer for the forward, whose experience has primarily been on a weaker squad.

Lawson Crouse, F, Coyotes: If Crouse is available, and that’s a big if, it won’t be surprising to see general managers interested. That’s usually the case when there’s a player available with size and strength along with some offensive upside. But this is the kind of player who managers can easily overspend on. Crouse opts for quality over quantity shooting and has found his finishing talent these past few seasons. And this year, he’s legitimately a positive influence on his team’s five-on-five offense. Still, this feels like a player who can be easily overrated because of his size, and there are always some sustainability questions when a player outscores expectations by such a wide margin.

Travis Sanheim, D, Flyers: The Blues need help on the back end, and Sanheim could provide it if the Flyers are looking to move on. He doesn’t thread the needle much offensively but is sound in his own zone. Sanheim’s numbers have been dragged down by some really poor partners, and he should better play to his strengths with actual support.

Joel Farabee, F, Flyers: Farabee would be a gamble, given his contract and lack of NHL results, but maybe a change of scenery helps him reach his potential. At his age and with his upside as a two-way threat, this could be a complementary piece to boost the next wave of the Blues’ forward core. He has the vision and the smarts to become more of a threat offensively if he can earn (and maintain) a top-six role.

Mid-term fits

Players with three or fewer years left on their current contracts.

Jakob Chychrun, D, Coyotes: There’s a lot to like about Chychrun: his age, contract and point totals all make him an attractive addition to the blue line. While his trade status has dragged on for some time, it has nothing to do with his abilities, which include breaking the puck out of his own zone, pushing the pace of play from the blue line and using his effective shot to be a difference-maker. He’d really help elevate the Blues’ struggling top four on defense.

Nick Schmaltz, F, Coyotes: Schmaltz and Keller have been one of the most productive pairs in Arizona, but the same problem stands as his timeline doesn’t match up with the team’s current situation. The forward can bring the puck into the offensive zone with control and turn those entries into scoring chances. Along with using his shot, he’s a good passer as well.

Conor Garland, F, Canucks: Along with needing high-end forwards, the Blues also could use some middle-six support to give them four strong lines to roll. Garland could contribute to that. He’s great at forcing turnovers, winning puck battles and doing the little things that help support offensive possession.

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Travis Konecny, F, Flyers: While he’s not the perfect defensive player, Konecny is an offensive generator who could help the Blues if he’s available on the trade market. Despite all of the Flyers’ troubles right now, he’s scoring at one of the highest rates of his career in all situations. Plus, he’s maintained his influence on the team’s expected goal generation, which has been a strength through much of the last few years.

Another Detroit deal?

Jakub Vrana, F, Red Wings: Nothing has been smooth about Vrana’s time in Detroit, but he has a skill the Blues could use: his excellent shot. St. Louis thrived last year because of its passing ability, but it needs high-end shooters to finish those chances. And now without Vladimir Tarasenko and David Perron, who left a hole in this lineup after departing as a free agent, Vrana filling that gap would be intriguing. He’s probably a fit for the middle six, with a chance to move up, as long as the Blues can find a way to support some of the defensive lapses in his game.

(Top photo of Jakob Chychrun and Jordan Kyrou: Zac BonDurant / Getty Images)