Trade-deadline primer: St. Louis Blues

Vince Dunn has been in trade speculation dating back to last season, and the Blues were involved in trade talks involving him earlier in the year. Even though Dunn is only two years removed from a 35-point sophomore campaign, his production has tapered off since then and he has just a dozen points (5-7-12) in 36 games this season despite averaging more than 19 minutes a night, the most of his career. With Torey Krug and Colton Parayko serving as two sure-fire protectees in expansion, there’s only one slot remaining, and Justin Faulk could be staking a claim to that spot. It feels like a matter of when, not if, Dunn gets moved, and as he’s rather cheap now ($1.875 million), his market might be stronger now than it will be this summer when he’ll be arbitration-eligible for the first time and in need of protection by whoever makes a move for him.

Mike Hoffman was brought in to help offset the loss of Vladimir Tarasenko who started the season on LTIR with recurring shoulder troubles. Twenty-one points (9-12-21) in 36 isn’t bad, but it’s safe to say he has underperformed relative to expectations. It was extremely unlikely he’d be back next year regardless of how he played due to the Blues' cap situation, so if they believe they’re going to miss the playoffs, it would make sense for GM Doug Armstrong to try to flip him. With a $4 million price tag for him, the Blues might need to retain to facilitate a move. Tyler Bozak ($5 million) is in a similar situation, but with declining production, his market will be more limited.  Jaden Schwartz ($5.35 million) is another pending UFA, but if there is mutual interest in an extension, the Blues might not move him.

Veteran defensemen are always in demand at this time of year, and while he’s not a rental, Robert Bortuzzo could generate some interest. He’s a third-pairing or seventh option at this stage of his career but he can still play with physicality and kill penalties, elements that are often coveted at this time of year. He has another year left at $1.375 million, a rate that isn’t all that high for someone in that role, but the Blues would ideally likely to fill that spot with someone making a bit less to try to give themselves some more cap flexibility for next year.

Others to Watch For: Ivan Barbashev ($1.475 million, RFA), F Kyle Clifford ($1 million through 2021-22), D Steven Santini ($700,000 RFA)

Team needs

1) Draft Picks – With the Blues having only two picks in the first four rounds, there’s a clear need to restock the cupboard. They didn’t have their second-round selection last year or their first rounder the year before that as well. Hoffman and Dunn give them two options who might be able to yield a high pick or impact prospect, and there is going to be a definite need to supplement that core with cost-controlled entry-level deals. It’s hard to get those with only two picks in the first 130 selections.

2) Backup Goalie Upgrade – For a few years, Ville Husso was seen as a goalie of the future for St. Louis. That future came this season with Jake Allen moved to Montreal, giving Husso a path to NHL action. The initial returns haven’t been great as he has a save percentage of just .883 this season. If the Blues think they’re still in the mix, a better backup helps. If they’re thinking about next season, a better backup might be needed in the offseason, but if they can get that player now, they might as well go ahead and do so.