Brayden Schenn is the second-longest tenured St. Louis Blues player on this roster. With the Blues, he has been an All-Star, a 2019 Stanley Cup champion, and is currently serving his third season as team captain. From dropping the gloves to clutch goals, he is a strong two-way forward.
Due to his experience and two-way ability, Schenn may be traded by the Blues before the deadline. Several teams are interested, including the Vegas Golden Knights. What might a Schenn trade look like?
Golden Knights’ Need
The Golden Knights need to upgrade at center. William Karlsson, the team’s reliable two-way center, has not played since early November and is on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). There is no timetable yet for his return. In fact, he may not return at all.
The Golden Knights lack a player who can score 20 goals a season and win defensive battles. Schenn fits this profile. His production is down, but he still brings leadership and center depth.
Blues’ Asking Price
To assess the Blues’ asking price, we need to take a look at a blocked trade from last season’s trade deadline with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Blues were reportedly willing to send Schenn to the Maple Leafs for a package that would have included Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, and a draft pick. Cowan was one of the Maple Leafs’ top prospects at the time, and Danford is currently the organization’s top defensive prospect. Clearly, the Maple Leafs were willing to pay a high price for Schenn.
However, Schenn’s production is down this season with just 19 points, making a return of two top prospects unlikely. Still, the Blues can expect value in return.
The Blues should start by asking for Vegas’s second-round pick in the upcoming draft. That is the highest pick the organization has available, but it is a price they may be willing pay to add a two-way player. The Blues should also seek some young talent. Given Schenn’s numbers are declining, they likely will not get someone like Cowan and/or Danford. The Blues should ask for Mateo Nobert, a forward who has consistently scored 20-plus goals in his career. He has a great hockey IQ and is always looking for lanes and open ice.
Golden Knights’ Side of the Trade
The Golden Knights will acquire Schenn in this trade. With just over $3.1 million in cap space, they need help fitting in his $6.5 million cap hit. Vegas will only pay a prorated amount based on remaining games. Additionally, when Brayden McNabb returns from LTIR, his $3.65 million cap hit will also count against the cap. Unlike previous seasons, the Golden Knights will not have the option to hold McNabb out until the playoffs start to avoid his cap from counting against the team. This means they will need to trade away some cap space in order to be able to take on Schenn’s contract.
Related: Mateo Nobert – 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile
Vegas must trade a $2-3 million salary to fit Schenn under the cap. They will ask the Blues to take Keegan Kolesar, who has a $2.5 million cap hit through 2027-28. Kolesar would add a veteran presence to the Blues and could be flipped elsewhere in the offseason if they don’t see him as part of their long-term plan.
The Trade
In summary, here is the proposed trade between the Blues and Golden Knights:
- Golden Knights Receive:
- Blues Receive:
- Keegan Kolesar
- Vegas’s 2026 second-round pick
- Mateo Nobert
Both teams benefit in this trade. The Golden Knights received a two-way forward with Stanley Cup experience to temporarily replace the injured Karlsson. The Blues, in turn, receive draft capital and a prospect to support their ongoing retooling efforts.
If the Blues trade Schenn, they’ll need to consider their next captain. But that decision is for another day.
