Will the Blues Trade Up in the NHL Draft or Move Key Players? Inside Their Plan for a Massive Month

Doug Armstrong is entering the final stretch of his long tenure as St. Louis Blues general manager, with only the NHL Combine in Buffalo and the June 26-27 draft left before Alexander Steen takes over as GM on July 1. Armstrong said the next month will be “massive” for the franchise because the Blues hold three first-round picks — Nos. 11, 15 and 29 — and 12 total selections, giving the team both flexibility and pressure as it prepares for a pivotal offseason.

The draft could shape more than just the Blues’ prospect pipeline. Armstrong suggested it may function like a trade deadline, with the possibility that St. Louis could use its picks to move up in the first round or even make roster-changing trades involving established players. While speculation has centered on a possible trade up to No. 2, Armstrong said such moves usually do not gain traction until much closer to draft day, when teams know more about each other’s intentions. He described early trade chatter as mostly “media-driven,” noting that real action often comes in the 48 hours before the draft.

The Blues’ draft strategy will depend on how the board unfolds. Armstrong said the team groups prospects into tiers and would only trade up if a player from a higher tier is still available. If the players they value most are gone, he said the team would rather stay put than overpay to move a few spots higher.

There is also uncertainty around the roster. The Athletic recently identified four Blues players — Jordan Kyrou, Jordan Binnington, Robert Thomas and Colton Parayko — as possible offseason trade candidates. Armstrong declined to discuss their markets in detail, saying it is too early for meaningful decisions. He pointed out that the situation may become clearer later in June, especially because the draft itself could prompt trade talks.

Any major roster moves will be driven primarily by Steen, who will officially become GM next month. Armstrong, who will remain president of hockey operations, said Steen’s input will be greater than his own on big decisions, though outside calls from other general managers will still run through him. The transition is already underway, with Armstrong saying he and Steen speak several times a day as they map out scenarios for the draft, trades and free agency.

Contract clauses could complicate any deal. Kyrou, Thomas and Parayko all have full no-trade clauses, while Binnington has a modified no-trade list that shrinks on July 1. Armstrong said the Blues respect those rights and generally present a completed trade to a player only after management is comfortable with the deal.

For now, St. Louis is preparing for several possible outcomes: keeping all three first-round picks, trading up, dealing a core player, staying active in free agency, or simply returning with the same roster. Armstrong said the organization is ready to react once the draft clarifies what the team has and has not accomplished. He acknowledged that he will miss being a GM, but said this is the right time for a change, with all attention now fixed on the draft and the future of the Blues.