3 “Possible” packages for Robert Thomas and the latest for Vincent Trocheck
Possible Trade Packages for Robert Thomas
Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff: Ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline, Di Marco looks at the potential trade packages of three teams, the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers, who have the potential to acquire Robert Thomas. As Di Marco said in his interview on TSN Radio in Montreal, the Blues want the equivalent of four first-round picks.
The rumored Sabres-Blues trade involving Thomas was for a first-round pick, Konsta Helenius, Owen Power, and Jack Quinn. This is the model he goes by. Let’s get into the possible packages.
Boston Bruins
The Pack will see first round picks, James Hagens, Matthew Poitras, and Mason Lohrei go to St. Louis to Thomas. This is an important haul as the Bruins have four first round picks, and they could use one of them here. Again, Thomas is not a necessity; defense is a big need, but adding a player of Thomas’s ilk would improve the core going forward. Also, the Bruins and Blues have been talking about Justin Faulk. But the sticking point is Hagens, whom the Bruins want.
The Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens continue to be linked to Robert Thomas. He feels a need in the second line center position. The package will be Owen Beck, Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, and a first round pick. Adding Thomas gives the Canadiens a big one-two punch down the middle. There is reluctance to move Hage, given his production in the NCAA and his high level of hype. Not to mention that the Canadiens have been burned in the past when it comes out.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers package will include Bobby Brink, Porter Martone, Oliver Bonk, and the first pick going to St. Louis to Thomas. The Flyers are looking to take the next step. Martone was a steal for the Flyers during the 2025 draft. Brink is an RFA the Blues can add to their roster now, and Bonk can play in the backfield if they move a defenseman.
NHLRumors.com Note: The asking price is high for Thomas, as it should be for a 26-year-old center. Unless the Blues clear their asking price, there’s a good chance he’ll stay unless a team like the Utah Mammoths steps up and is ready to unload some of their future assets. Teams aren’t willing to give what Blues GM Doug Armstrong wants yet.
Is It Wild Out on Trocheck?
Michael Russo of The Athletic: Russo writes that the Minnesota Wild are dying right now regarding Vincent Trocheck. The price is too high for Wild GM Bill Guerin at this point. The Wild spent a lot of assets to acquire Quinn Hughes and may not have the assets to acquire Trocheck, who has three years left at $5.625 million AAV.
Where will Vincent Trocheck land?
Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic: As of Wednesday night, it was believed that Vincent Trocheck would be traded. Whether it’s Minnesota with Charlie Stramel as part of the package or Danila Yurov, but the Wild said no go ahead.
While Minnesota is in the clubhouse, Mercogliano wonders what a pack of the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Carolina Hurricanes will look like. Given that Trocheck has made it clear he doesn’t want to go West, that rules out the Utah Mammoth and others. Could the Buffalo Sabers be a dark horse in the Trocheck sweepstakes?
