St. Louis Blues Must Make A Bold Move

Ryan Kesler

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Kesler has been in the trade rumor mill for months now, and if he is to be traded at all, it will likely come before or on draft day this Friday in Philadelphia. Reports suggest Kesler only wants to go to Chicago or Pittsburgh, but it was previously believed that he would accept a trade to Anaheim. If the Blues can convince him to waive his NTC to accept a trade to St. Louis (much like Columbus did with Hartnell), then as long as he stays healthy, Kesler can be the missing piece that puts St. Louis over the top. Kesler wants to win and knows he may not have that much time left to do so, so he would be the perfect number two center for the team that is in win-now mode.

Kesler is an excellent two-way player, much like David Backes. But Kesler has had arguably a better career offensively than Backes has, all while dealing with many injuries and playing behind Canucks star center and captain Henrik Sedin. Kesler would bring significant leadership to the Blues, veteran experience (having played in a Stanley Cup final), and a unique element to the Blues because they would have a one-two punch of elite two-way players which – representative of the kind of style Ken Hitchcock likes his team to play.

The Blues can offer the Canucks C Patrick Berglund, prospect Ty Rattie or Dmitrij Jaskin, and their first round pick (21st overall) in exchange for Kesler.