Brayden Schenn, a veteran forward capable of playing both center and wing, has been a key player for the St. Louis Blues, including their 2019 Stanley Cup-winning team. With the Blues potentially entering a rebuild, Schenn's name has surfaced in trade discussions.
According to reports, Schenn is most interested in a move to the Colorado Avalanche. This preference could give the Avalanche leverage in trade negotiations. Schenn's current contract carries a $6.5 million cap hit for two more seasons, which means the Blues would likely need to retain some salary to facilitate a trade.
However, Avalanche legend Erik Johnson cautions against making significant changes to a team that is already performing exceptionally well. Johnson points to the Boston Bruins' experience in 2023, where adding players at the deadline didn't translate to playoff success. The Avalanche have already addressed depth concerns by acquiring defenseman Nick Blankenburg and center Nicolas Roy, so adding Schenn may not be necessary.
Schenn's best game of the season, a three-assist performance against Seattle, has increased his trade value, but it remains to be seen if the Avalanche will make a move before the trade deadline. The Avs have bolstered their depth this week in acquiring defenseman Nick Blankenburg and center Nicolas Roy.