The Sabres are making a bold move, aggressively pursuing center Robert Thomas from the Blues, according to a report by Darren Dreger of TSN. Their offer includes multiple first-round picks or equivalent assets, as relayed by Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic. However, negotiations haven't yet progressed to the point where the Blues would require Thomas to waive his no-trade clause, as per Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic. Thomas is the top player available at the deadline, both in terms of short-term and long-term impact. Many initially doubted his availability amid St. Louis' retooling, but the Blues have received multiple strong offers, prompting them to seriously consider a trade. The Mammoth has also been consistently linked with Thomas over the past week.
Despite a somewhat down season, Thomas' trade value remains high. He has 12 goals and 35 points in 42 games, which is comparable to other top options like Nazem Kadri and Vincent Trocheck. However, Thomas is significantly younger and has been a consistent assist leader in the league for several years. His contract, in its third year of an eight-year deal, carries a fair-value cap hit of $8.125MM. Thomas had full trade protection kick in this season, the first year he was eligible, so the Sabres' pursuit hinges on his approval.
The Sabres' leverage in trade talks includes a plethora of recent first-round draft choices, such as Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen, and Konsta Helenius. Helenius, the 14th overall pick in 2024, has already shown potential as a long-term replacement for Thomas as St. Louis' first-line center. The Sabres' willingness to part with top-four left-shot defenders like Bowen Byram or Owen Power remains uncertain, but it's a possibility if they aim to keep cap space open for the extensions of Benson and Alex Tuch.
The Sabres' aggressive pursuit of Thomas highlights their determination to end their 14-season playoff drought. With an 88.6% chance of achieving this, the team is making a bold move that could significantly impact their future.
