On Feb. 4, the St. Louis Blues traded forward Nick Bjugstad to the New Jersey Devils for a 2026 conditional fourth-round pick and forward Thomas Bordeleau. Bjugstad was a 2025 offseason free-agent signing for the Blues on a two-year, $3.5 million deal. At the time of his signing, the Blues were aiming towards using Bjugstad as a replacement for former Blues bottom-line center Radek Faksa. But now it seems plans have changed with this trade, and the route the Blues were taking is also moving in a different direction.
Possibility of Changes in the Bottom Lines
A few days later, on Saturday (Feb. 7), the Blues claimed Jack Finley off waivers, who was formerly on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Finley, drafted 57th overall in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft, can play both center and right wing, which, coincidentally, were the same positions Bjugstad played. While it’s not yet confirmed, the Blues have the option to play Finley on the bottom lines of their roster. He would be a good fit.
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In just 22 games this season, Finley has three points, which is not the best stat line. But the 6-foot-6, 227-pound forward, who happens to be born in St. Louis, is perfect for both bottom lines given his incredible size.
So what does this say about the direction the Blues could be taking? It seems more or less they are building a tougher lineup—adding a gritty, well-sized forward—and it could be good for them if they make the same late playoff contention push as they did last season.
That said, it could also take the direction of using Finley as a fourth-line forward and bumping up Nathan Walker or Alexei Toropchenko to the third line.
The Return of the Trade Says It All
The Blues didn’t get much overall, just a fourth-round pick and a minor-league forward in Bordeleau. That’s not really showing they are on track to be playoff contenders this season, but rather stockpiling another pick for this year’s draft. As for Bordeleau, more depth to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, as they too are in need of a miracle move to get back in winning shape.
On the other hand, it does show that the Blues are not holding the phone on trades and are very active in the trade market right now. If Bjugstad, a newly signed player, is worth trading, then all trade options are on the table for the Blues right now.
Sportsnet hockey insider and analyst Nick Kypreos mentioned in his February trade board that Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou are still possibilities in trade talks. Either of those three players is worth a lot of trade value and could bring back either a big draft pick or a valuable player to fill gaps on their roster.
The Pathway After Bjugstad Trade Is Made
With roughly two and a half weeks’ worth of the Olympic break to cool down and make a clear trade decision, the Blues have a decent amount of time to make calls and find the best possible deal before the trade deadline in March.
The Bjugstad trade was a good start, opening the door for the team to bring in Finley to see what he could contribute. By making that trade, the Blues are now on the path to becoming conservative sellers ahead of the deadline, with three great players in Thomas, Schenn, and Kyrou to lure in big teams.
Right now, this trade also shows they are not keen on making the playoffs entirely, and they are in dire need of a player or even a prospect from a high draft pick that fulfills their need to make them a consistent contender in the future.
