The Note Has Soured: Why the St. Louis Blues Are Gearing Up to Trade Captain Brayden Schenn

0 Diana khan November 08, 2025

As an analyst who has watched the league for years, you learn to read the signs. A healthy scratch here, an “insider” leak there. But when the reports surface that a team like the St. Louis Blues is “open for business,” as Frank Seravalli noted, you stop and listen. This isn’t just smoke; it’s a five-alarm fire in the front office. Sitting 15th in the West isn’t a slump; it’s a disaster. And when disasters happen, even the biggest names become expendable.

Enter Brayden Schenn.

The scratching of Jordan Kyrou, the team’s highest-paid player, by coach Jim Montgomery was a shot across the bow. It’s the kind of public move a desperate coach makes to wake a team up. But while the Kyrou drama captures headlines, it’s the quiet whispers around the captain, Schenn, that are far more significant. Kyrou’s full no-trade clause and massive $8.15 million AAV make him a theoretical trade piece, but a logistical nightmare. Schenn, on the other hand, is the realistic chip to fall.

Why a Brayden Schenn Trade is Now Possible

Let’s break down the reality of the situation. Schenn’s no-movement clause (NMC) was the real anchor. As of July 1, that albatross reverted to a 15-team no-trade list. This is the crucial detail. It takes the power almost entirely out of Schenn’s hands and gives it back to the Blues’ front office. They now have 16 potential trade partners to dance with, a massive difference from the zero they had last season.

Yes, he’s 34. Yes, he’s off to a slow start, just like the rest of the roster. And yes, he’s signed through 2027-28 at $6.5 million. But let’s look at what contenders see. They don’t see an aging player; they see a Stanley Cup champion, a proven leader, and a versatile two-way center who can solidify a middle-six. A team on the cusp of a run will absolutely find value in that skill set and leadership, even at that price tag. The Blues would likely have to retain some salary (perhaps 15-25%) to maximize the return, but it’s doable.

The Blues aren’t just “open for business”; they’re signaling the start of a re-tool. Trading your captain is the ultimate signal. While the Kyrou situation is a symptom of the team’s illness, the growing buzz around moving Brayden Schenn is the first sign of the impending surgery.