If you were waiting for a sign that change is coming to Missouri, this is it. General Manager Doug Armstrong—notoriously patient but ruthless when necessary—has admitted he is starting to field calls he wouldn’t have entertained months ago. The “kick the tires” phase has begun, and with the Blues struggling to find consistency, the core of this team is officially on notice. The takeaway is simple: If the team doesn’t turn it around by mid-January, expect Armstrong to pull the trigger on significant moves involving key veterans.
Why a “Retool” is Scarier than a Rebuild for the Blues Roster
As someone who has watched Doug Armstrong operate for years, I can tell you this isn’t a standard “fire sale.” Armstrong hates tanking. He isn’t looking to stockpile 7th-round picks for 2028; he wants “hockey trades.”
Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports that names like Jordan Binnington, Brayden Schenn, and Justin Faulk are surfacing in talks. This makes sense. These are players in their thirties with term left—assets that contending teams desperate for stability (especially in net or on the blue line) will pay a premium for.
However, the complexity here is the No-Trade Clauses (NTC). Binnington has a 14-team list; Schenn and Faulk have 15. Moving them requires a delicate dance. But here is my personal insight: Armstrong is one of the few GMs bold enough to ask a franchise icon to waive their clause if he believes the current mix is stale.
The goal here is to get younger, NHL-ready talent to pair with the new core. While Jordan Kyrou has popped up in rumors, his full NTC and age make him a likely “keeper.” Armstrong wants to build around the mid-20s age group, not ship them out. The next six weeks leading up to the Olympic freeze are critical. If the Blues are still spinning their wheels, expect Armstrong to aggressively shop the old guard to re-energize the franchise.
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