5 Trade Landing Spots for Blues Forward Jordan Kyrou Amid NHL Rumors

The St. Louis Blues sit seven points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth as of Feb. 24. With the NHL's March 7 trade deadline fast approaching, they're in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight season.

On Feb. 8, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Blues were willing to talk about their players with other clubs. Two weeks later, his colleague Nick Kypreos listed Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou as trade candidates.

Kypreos claimed multiple teams were calling about the 33-year-old Schenn but the Blues could be reluctant to move him. Buchnevich turns 30 on Apr. 17 and commences a six-year contract extension on July 1 with an annual cap hit of $8 million with a full no-trade clause.

Kyrou, 26, is the youngest of the trio. He's a swift-skating scoring forward who can play center or right wing and has cracked the 70-point plateau twice since 2021-22. Kyrou is in the second year of his eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.13 million. He has a no-trade clause that begins on July 1.

The combination of Kyrou's youth, speed, ongoing upside and lack of no-trade protection this season could make him an attractive trade target for teams seeking scoring punch. With the Blues retooling their roster, they could seek a first-round pick and a top prospect or a good young affordable forward.

Here's a look at five possible landing spots for Jordan Kyrou amid recent trade speculation.

Anaheim Ducks

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Under general manager Pat Verbeek, the Anaheim Ducks have been rebuilding with a core of promising talent. However, they could seek an established player who fits within their young roster and help them accelerate their rebuild.

Jordan Kyrou might tick those boxes. He could play at right wing on their top line alongside rising star Leo Carlsson or on the second line with Mason McTavish if the Ducks decide to move center Ryan Strome at the trade deadline or the offseason.

The Ducks wouldn't have a problem fitting Kyrou's $8.13 million cap hit within their payroll. They've got a whopping $78.2 million of projected trade-deadline cap space to draw on. They also have over $39.5 million in projected cap space for next season.

As for the return to the Blues, it could start with Trevor Zegras. The 23-year-old forward has struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons. A move to a new club might help him regain the promising offensive from earlier in his career.

Zegras' $5.8 million cap hit through next season and his restricted free agent status next summer would make him an affordable addition for the Blues. However, the Ducks might have to include a draft pick or a prospect to balance it out.

Buffalo Sabres

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It's shaping up to be another lost season for the Buffalo Sabres. Sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, they're poised to extend their record-setting playoff drought to 14 seasons, which could bring about some roster changes by the trade deadline or in the offseason.

On Feb. 18, The Athletic's Matthew Fairburn was asked if an offer of Dylan Cozens, prospect Konsta Helenius, and a 2026 second-rounder would land Jordan Kyrou. His colleague, Blues beat writer Jeremy Rutherford, felt that would be a fair trade.

This doesn't mean the Blues and Sabres are discussing such a deal but it is an intriguing idea. Cozens has been a fixture in the rumor mill this season. Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News stated the Sabres aren't shopping the 23-year-old center but are getting lots of calls about him.

Harrington's colleague Lance Lysowski indicated the Sabres seek a hockey trade rather than a return of draft picks and prospects. A swap with Kyrou for Cozens as the centerpiece could satisfy both club's needs.

The Sabres have a projected trade deadline cap space of $29.2 million, making it easy for them to take on Kyrou's contract. Cozens is slightly more affordable for the Blues at $7.1 million annually through 2029-30.

Carolina Hurricanes

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The Carolina Hurricanes made a blockbuster move on Jan. 24, acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche for Martin Nečas and Jack Drury in a three-team trade. However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Feb. 21 that they could trade Ratanen if unable to re-sign him by the March 7 trade deadline.

If the Hurricanes trade Rantanen, they're unlikely to get equal value back, forcing them to accept a return of draft picks and prospects or a couple of promising, affordable young players. In a separate trade, they could flip that return to another club for a suitable scoring right wing.

Jordan Kyrou isn't on the same offensive level as Rantanen but he's been a reliable 30-plus goal scorer over the last two seasons. Moving to the Hurricanes might help him find another offensive gear he's been missing in St. Louis.

Unless the Blues are going into a long-term rebuild, they'll likely want at least a scoring forward as part of the return. The Hurricanes aren't parting with winger Seth Jarvis but whatever they get in return for Rantanen could be used as bait for Kyrou.

Even with Rantanen and his $4.625 million off their books, the Hurricanes will find it difficult to take on Kyrou's $8.13 million annual cap hit through 2030-31. It could require another creative three-team trade like the one they pulled to get Rantanen to take on Kyrou.

Chicago Blackhawks

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The rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks spent the past two seasons attempting to surround young franchise star Connor Bedard with experienced veteran talent like Nick Foligno, Taylor Hall, Corey Perry, Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen. However, most were either past their prime or secondary talent.

Bedard needs a fast-skating offensive linemate in his mid-to-late twenties in his playing prime who will remain so for at least the next five years. Jordan Kyrou could be a good candidate for that role, giving Chicago a lethal first-line scoring punch.

Cap space isn't an issue for Chicago. They have $23.4 million in projected trade-deadline cap room and will likely have more if they trade away pending free agents like Ryan Donato and Pat Maroon. They can also afford Kyrou's long-term cap hit.

Chicago has two picks in each of the first two rounds in this year's draft to draw on for trade bait. They can also draw on their deep prospect pool. Struggling young forwards Philipp Kurashev and Lukas Reichel might benefit from a change of scenery.

However, the Blues could insist on a good young player like Frank Nazar as part of the deal. Chicago GM Kyle Davidson could instead try to get inventive by acquiring a comparable forward or a more established one in a separate trade with another club and flip them to the Blues in a package offer for Kyrou.

New Jersey Devils

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After missing the playoffs in 2023-24, the New Jersey Devils have bounced back into third place in the Metropolitan Divison. However, their 3.07 goals per game is below last season's 3.22 and well off the 3.52 pace of their 112-point campaign two years ago.

The Devils could boost that number with the addition of Kyrou. His speed and scoring touch would make him a solid fit alongside first-line center Jack Hughes or second-line center Nico Hischier.

Fitting in Kyrou's $8.13 million AAV will be difficult for the Devils as they have a projected trade deadline cap space of $1.67 million. If sidelined defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler is out for the rest of the regular season, they could get some cap relief by placing him and his ($3.4 million) on long-term injury reserve.

If that isn't an option, the Devils could part with Dawson Mercer and his $4 million AAV through 2026-27. The versatile 23-year-old forward has struggled this season under head coach Sheldon Keefe and might benefit from a change of scenery.

Under either scenery, the Devils would have to free up more cap space for Kyrou unless the Blues agree to retain part of his salary. If that's not an option, the two clubs would have to get creative by involving a third team to spread Kyrou's cap dollars around.

Stats and standings (as of Feb. 24, 2025) via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia. Line combinations via Daily Faceoff.