Feb 2, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) controls the puck during the second period against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Blues Exploring Market Options for Brayden Schenn

St. Louis Blues Reportedly Assessing Trade Value of Star Forward Brayden Schenn

This time of year, contending teams often look for players to strengthen their rosters, especially down the middle. Many are searching for reliable bottom-six centers who can kill penalties, win faceoffs, or provide extra depth in case injuries hit.

However, not every contender focuses on the bottom of the lineup. Some are aiming higher, looking for a second-line center to improve their current setup or give them a stronger third line. While depth centers are easier to find during the trade deadline, impact players are much rarer and usually come with a hefty price tag.

That’s where Brayden Schenn might come into play. According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the St. Louis Blues are reportedly testing the market to gauge interest in their veteran center.

The Daily is posted! Breaking down why #NYR should snag 2 wins and 4 points before #4Nations break and nothing less is OK

Latest from #NHL, including intriguing Brayden Schenn trade rumors & Connor Bedard slaps back at his critics

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— Jim Cerny (@JimCerny) February 7, 2025

Schenn, now 33, has been a dependable two-way player throughout his career, and he’s just six games away from hitting the 1,000-game milestone. While his scoring has dipped slightly compared to earlier in his career, he still has 11 goals and 19 assists in 54 games this season. With three consecutive 20+ goal seasons before this year, Schenn remains an attractive option for teams in need of an offensive boost.

What makes Schenn even more appealing is his physical style of play. He averages over 2.5 hits per game and, while he’s not used on the penalty kill as much as he used to be, he’s still capable of contributing in that area. For teams seeking a gritty, versatile center, Schenn checks all the boxes.

The main challenge with acquiring Schenn is his contract. He’s signed at a $6.5 million cap hit through the 2027-28 season, which is far from a typical rental deal. However, with the salary cap expected to rise significantly over the next few seasons, that price tag might not seem as daunting as it did a short time ago. Additionally, Schenn’s actual salary drops to $4.3 million in 2026-27 and $4 million in 2027-28, which could make him more appealing to budget-conscious teams.

One hurdle for the Blues is that they’re unlikely to retain salary on Schenn’s contract. Retaining salary would tie up one of their three retention slots for over three years, something most teams avoid unless absolutely necessary. This means interested teams would have to take on his full cap hit, likely requiring them to send back salary in return. For some contenders, this could disrupt team chemistry late in the season—a risk not all teams are willing to take.

Another factor to consider is Schenn’s full no-trade clause, giving him the power to veto any potential move. However, his trade protection will reduce this summer to a 15-team no-trade list, which could give the Blues more flexibility if they decide to revisit trading him later.

Ultimately, it’s unlikely the Blues would move Schenn unless they receive a significant return. But with the trade deadline just weeks away, teams may become more desperate to make a big splash, which could work in St. Louis’s favor. For now, General Manager Doug Armstrong has some time to decide if now is the right moment to capitalize on Schenn’s value or if holding onto him is the smarter play.

Image Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Brayden Schenn

NHL

St. Louis Blues

Anamika Shrivastava

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I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, and hockey gives me a perfect stage for endless stories to tell. Whether it’s breaking down a game, analyzing a big trade, or capturing the emotions on the ice, I bring the NHL to life through words. So what’s the best part you ask? Watching the action unfold and turning it into something fans can connect with. To my readers: Hockey is more than just a game—it’s the highs, the heartbreaks, and the moments that make us jump off our seats. So, keep cheering, keep debating, and never stop loving the madness of the sport!