At last weekend’s NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues traded centre Kevin Hayes to the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, we are here to explore just how the details of the trade change how the Blues should approach Torey Krug this offseason.
The Full Kevin Hayes Trade
The Blues acquired Hayes at least year’s draft. After a poor season, the Blues decided to part ways with Hayes. Hayes still had two years on his contract, with a cap hit of a little over $3.5 million a season. In order to avoid having to retain any salary, the Blues offered the Penguins a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Blues successfully moved on from Hayes without having to retain any salary. However, they did have to part ways with a second-round pick to do it.
General Manager Doug Armstrong made the right decision to move Hayes’ contract. Clearing a little over $3.5 million in cap space for a team who has faced tight cap restraints was worth a second-round pick. Armstrong did the right thing for the Blues.
The Hayes Contract Is One of a Few Armstrong Could Move
Trading Hayes is a good first step. There are other players, however, who trading would free up more cap space. The most notable is Torey Krug, whose play the last few seasons has not been worth his $6.5 million cap hit. It makes a lot of sense for Krug to be the one Armstrong moves. Scott Perunovich, Tyler Tucker, and Pierre-Oliver Joseph are left-handed defenceman like Krug and would be cheaper options for the roster spot.
The Hayes Trade Changes How the Blues Should Approach Krug
However, it may not be a wise decision to trade Krug this offseason. This is a result of the Hayes trade. Hayes had two years left on his contract with a cap hit of a little over $3.5 million. The Blues had to offer the Penguins a second-round pick to take on the entire contract. Krug, meanwhile, has three years left on his contract with a $6.5 cap hit. Whoever agrees to a trade with Krug is taking on three years at $19.5 million. That is a big difference from taking Hayes for two years at just over $7 million. For a team to even consider taking on Krug’s contract, the Blues would most likely have to offer their first-round pick. If the Blues did this, they would not have a draft pick until the third round in 2025. For a team looking to retool, that is not a good situation at all. Simply put, it is not a good idea to trade Krug this offseason.
Can Armstrong Just “Waive” Goodbye?
Waivers are the only other option to try and move on from Krug. However, a team is unlikely to claim Krug and his entire contract. While waivers may encourage Krug to accept a trade (he has a no-trade clause currently), that still puts the Blues in a spot of needing to possibly give up their first pick to get a team to take on the salary.
The Blues Need to Hang on to Krug for One More Season
Blues fans may not like that, but it is the best option for the Blues right now. The Blues should hang on to Krug and let the season play out. Krug could play better, and the Blues did bring in his former Head Coach Claude Julien, so perhaps that will help Krug improve. If Krug plays better, a team may be interested in him at the trade deadline. If Krug plays poorly, the Blues can scratch him, and let the young guys play.
When next offseason comes, the Blues will have their full complement of 2026 draft picks. They could then trade Krug and be able to offer a draft pick for a team to take on his salary. Furthermore, a team that takes on Krug next summer would only be taking on two years, not three. That could also make a difference.
It Is Not Ideal, but Armstrong Has to Play the Hand He Has
In a perfect world, Armstrong is able to trade Krug this offseason. However, it just does not appear likely without crippling the Blues draft next year. Armstrong does not have the best hand to play, but he needs to play it the best he can. Another season of Krug may not be what the Blues anticipated, but it may be for the best.
Main photo: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
