The Minnesota Wild have made what will undoubtedly be considered the biggest splash trade of the season by acquiring defenseman Quinn Hughes. With the trade deadline approaching at 3:00 p.m. ET this Friday, the Wild are still expected to make another big move. It's no secret that they want Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, but other teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes are interested in him.
Unfortunately for the Wild, they just saw the center market take a hit, thanks to the rival St. Louis Blues.
The Blues have let it be known that they are open to trading away 26-year-old center Robert Thomas, but they had a high asking price. On Tuesday, TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger reported that the Buffalo Sabres' talks with the Blues for Thomas was "heating up." The Athletic NHL insider Chris Johnston followed up, saying that the Sabres offered the "equivalent of multiple first-round picks."
But on Wednesday morning, Dreger reported that the Sabres "aren't willing to part with the necessary pieces" the Blues are looking for.
Update: It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks. Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young center.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 4, 2026
This could spell bad news for the Wild.
Blues' astronomical asking price for Robert Thomas could hurt Wild's chances to land a top center
The Blues are seeking a lot for Thomas, considering he's their top scorer, only 26-year-olds, and is under contract through the 2030-31 season. The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford reported that the Blues were looking for the equivalent of three Top 15 draft picks in return for Thomas. That means any combination of prospects, pro players, and prospects. That's a high asking price, one that basically ensures Thomas remains in St. Louis for the rest of the season.
If that is the case, it very well could lead to an increase in Trocheck's trade market. Not only could the Red Wings and Wild increase the price for Trocheck, but who's to say that the Sabres don't get in on the market as well after seemingly moving on from a Thomas pursuit?
General Manager Bill Guerin has let it be known rather publicly that he wants Trocheck. He named him to Team USA, where they won a gold medal, and jokingly called him over for a Wild players and coaches photo during practice. According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, the Wild's offer to the Rangers for Trocheck is centered around prospect Charlie Strammel and a 2027 first-round pick. The Rangers and their General Manager Chris Drury are expected to wait and see if they can get a higher offer.
With Thomas seemingly unlikely to be traded, as is Elias Pettersson with the Vancouver Canucks, that does leave Trocheck as the best center available at the trade deadline. And that could very well work against the Wild and Guerin.