![]() But with Robert Thomas’ shoulder injury, which will sideline him for about two weeks, and with Hoffman scoring twice in Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Minnesota, do the Blues hang onto him?įrom healthy scratch to hero: Blues trade candidate Mike Hoffman adds to the intrigue heading into deadline. The 31-year-old winger will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he has not been a good fit in St. Meanwhile, there are other storylines with the Blues heading into deadline day. “So yeah, nothing but good things to say and I’m proud to be wearing the Blues jersey for as long as I have. That’s definitely in the back of my mind. I love this place and want some more shots at winning another Cup. The city and the team and organization have been nothing but good to me. “I love the guys, been here my whole career, so I know a lot of people in this city as well. It appears that Schwartz wants to be back, too. It’s hard to believe, according to sources, that he would not do whatever he can to bring back Schwartz under those circumstances. The other factor at play here is that Armstrong has stated on several occasions that the Blues’ championship window is currently open, and if that isn’t enough of an emphasis, the GM has just one more season left on his four-year contract, with a mutual option for 2022-23. There are also no high-level NHL-ready prospects at the position in the system. Schenn has consistently shown that his best play is at center, and after Schwartz, the left wing options under contract are Sammy Blais, Zach Sanford and Kyle Clifford. Not only would trading Schwartz diminish the Blues’ chances of competing for a playoff spot this season, but his departure would deplete the organization of a proven left winger. There have been clubs curious if Schwartz is available, according to sources, but his name has not been bandied about frequently enough to suggest the Blues are showing serious interest in moving him. Though a deal could be struck at any moment, it doesn’t appear likely that there will be an agreement before Monday’s deadline, and that seems to be OK with both sides. That source didn’t discount the possibility of a $6.5 million AAV but said “$7 million - that ain’t happening.”Īs mentioned, negotiations between the Blues and Schwartz have been limited, but the belief is that Armstrong has had no interest in moving the forward, even before the team rattled off three consecutive victories over Vegas and Minnesota. With a little less offense, plus the fact that Schenn was 28 when he re-signed and Schwartz will turn 29 in June, the source suggested perhaps a six-year term at $6.5 million AAV for Schwartz.Ī second source estimated the Blues would likely be offering a five-year deal with a $5.5 million AAV. Since the 2017-18 season, when Schenn arrived in a trade from Philadelphia, he has 82 goals and 210 points for the Blues, compared to 61 goals and 166 points for Schwartz in the same span. ![]() In September 2019, Schenn signed an eight-year, $52 million extension ($6.5 million AAV), and with one season left on his previous contract, it was essentially a nine-year deal. One source said that Schwartz could command a contract similar to Brayden Schenn’s deal but with less term. But the player whom Blues coach Craig Berube calls one of the club’s engines is their best analytical forward (25-plus games) with a 51.35 Expected Goals For percentage. Schwartz has four goals and 14 points in 26 games this season, missing 15 games with an oblique injury. When the Blues re-signed Binnington, Armstrong believed that Schwartz was the final piece of the core that he needed to get under a long-term contract, according to a source. In 546 career games, Schwartz has netted 150 goals and 378 points with the club, and now 28 years old, he’s wrapping up a five-year, $26.75 million contract ($5.35 million average annual value). 14 overall in 2010 and played his first game on March 13, 2012, making him the longest-tenured player on the roster. ![]() The Blues view Schwartz as a huge part of their core. CT on Monday, what are the Blues’ plans if he remains unsigned? What about Mike Hoffman? What about other potential moves the club could make? So where do things stand with Schwartz, and with the NHL’s trade deadline coming at 2 p.m. Meanwhile, there hasn’t been much paddling with Schwartz, as talks with the forward have been fairly quiet.
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