NHL Trade Rumors: 3 Trade Candidates For The Blues

If the St. Louis Blues fall out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, three trade candidates could emerge: forward Brandon Saad, defenseman Nick Leddy, and goaltender Jordan Binnington, as outlined by Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic. 

Saad, with one year remaining on his $4.5 million AAV contract, stands out as an appealing option for contending teams seeking experienced, reliable scoring depth. 

His manageable cap hit, along with the anticipated cap increase, makes him especially attractive. “He could make sense for a contender,” Rutherford notes, highlighting Saad’s affordability and value.

Jordan Binnington has certainly never been shy of the rough stuff. 😅 pic.twitter.com/1FYxmJWP5e

— BarDown (@BarDown) October 30, 2024

Nick Leddy, who also has one year left at a $4 million cap hit, presents a bit more of a challenge to move. 

As Rutherford points out, the Blues might need to retain some of Leddy’s salary to facilitate a trade, given that his recent performance hasn’t fully justified his cap hit. 

Nevertheless, Leddy’s experience and versatility could still appeal to teams needing a veteran presence on the blue line, especially in a third-pairing role, where he could add depth without being overly relied upon.

Nick Leddy OT winner pic.twitter.com/1CnHO709rB

— Islanders (@IslesVideos) June 7, 2024

Lastly, Jordan Binnington could draw interest, but the market for goaltenders at the trade deadline is often limited, making a significant return unlikely. 

“Goalies don’t always generate the type of trade return a team would want,” Rutherford explains, noting that while Binnington’s postseason experience might intrigue a contender in urgent need of goaltending depth, the Blues may choose to keep him. 

The development of promising goaltender Joel Hofer, however, could make a move feasible if St. Louis sees an opportunity to transition in net for the long term.

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images