buffalo sabres have emerged as the frontrunner in intensified trade negotiations for Robert Thomas, with momentum building as of Tuesday (ET). The St. Louis Blues and Thomas are at the centre of talks that could shift before the trade deadline, and Jarmo Kekalainen, the new general manager of the Buffalo Sabres, is actively pursuing reinforcements as the club prepares for the playoffs. Negotiations have edged closer to a serious package discussion that ties into St. Louis’s seller posture and its asking price.
Buffalo Sabres in the mix
Darren Dreger, hockey insider, said negotiations between the St. Louis Blues and the Buffalo Sabres heated up on Tuesday. Jarmo Kekalainen, general manager, Buffalo Sabres, is described as trying to put his stamp on the roster ahead of the postseason push. Chris Johnston, hockey insider, framed the range that Buffalo has moved into: a package of picks, players and prospects that gets to about four players. That belief places the buffalo sabres as the team currently closest to meeting St. Louis’s demands.
Blues’ asking price and the potential package
Doug Armstrong, general manager, St. Louis Blues, has set a high bar for Robert Thomas, with discussions centring on three-to-four premium assets in return. The Blues have indicated they would extract younger NHL-ready talent, while the buffalo sabres are understood to be offering a mix of picks, prospects and players in a multi-piece deal. Pierre LeBrun, hockey insider, noted the asking price has been steep enough that at least one club is not considered a serious bidder when names like Michael Hage and David Reinbacher are involved in the calculus.
Immediate reactions from insiders
Elliotte Friedman, NHL insider, said, “I think (the Blues) have had some pretty serious conversations with a couple of teams about him, including Utah. ” Darren Dreger said, “Negotiations between the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres heated up on Tuesday. ” Chris Johnston added, “The Blues have been looking for three to four ‘premium assets’ in this deal. ” Those assessments track with the view that St. Louis is a clear seller and that Buffalo is pushing hard to change its playoff picture.
Robert Thomas carries contract and movement details that affect trade dynamics: he has a no-trade clause and is in year three of an eight-year pact with an $8. 125 million annual cap hit. The Blues’ seller stance — well outside the playoff picture and trading for youth and cost certainty — frames why Thomas has become a headline name on the market.
Quick context: the NHL trade deadline is four days away as of Tuesday (ET), and the Blues’ status as sellers increases the likelihood of major roster moves. The Utah Mammoth and other contenders have also been linked in broader market chatter, which helps explain the urgency around St. Louis’s decision-making.
What’s next: teams will keep negotiating through the week and a deal could be finalized with a single phone call; the onus is now on Buffalo’s front office to close a package that satisfies St. Louis’s premium ask. Watch for new movement as the deadline approaches and for the buffalo sabres to decide whether to push further on price or pivot to other targets, all unfolding live as of Tuesday (ET).
