3 Untouchable Blues at the 2026 Trade Deadline

Disclaimer

The purpose of this is to list the players who could be traded, but should not be. Some on the Blues’ roster are obviously not going to be traded. Players like Philip Broberg, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Dalibor Dvorsky are not going to be traded because they are clearly part of the team’s future. Others fit this as well. Those names will not show up in this article because it is clear they are untouchables. A team building for the future does not sell young pieces.

Now that we have established that, let’s jump into the list.

Untouchable #1 – Robert Thomas

Robert Thomas is the latest Blue whose name is popping up in trade rumors. The 2025-26 season has not been kind to Thomas, due to injuries and inconsistent production.

Marco D’Amico reported a few days ago that while the Blues would listen to offers for Thomas, they were not actively shopping him. If an offer blows them away, they may accept. Otherwise, they are content with holding on to the former All-Star.

The Blues should not trade Thomas. He is the most valuable member of the team. He is under a long-term, yet team-friendly, contract and has been voted in the top 25 in Selke voting each of the last two seasons. Are the numbers down a bit this season? Yes. However, the same is true for multiple players.

Taking a closer look at Thomas’s stats, he has 11 goals and 33 points in 42 games played. His current injury will sideline him for the next few weeks. However, he still has an outside chance to reach the 20-goal mark for the third-straight season. He will not reach the 80-point mark, but when you consider the games he missed and will miss because of injury, that can account for the dip in numbers.

No, it has not been a typical Thomas season. That is not a reason to trade him. He is still part of the team’s core and can help lead them moving forward. He is a definite untouchable.

Untouchable #2 – Jake Neighbours

Similar to Thomas, Jake Neighbours is part of the Blues’ core moving forward. Since his breakout season in 2023-24, he has continued to grow as a player and has gotten consistent top-six minutes.

This season, Neighbours is on pace to match last season’s totals. Considering the team’s offensive struggles, including a weak power play, it would be remarkable if he matched it.

Neighbours’ ceiling is too high even to consider trading him. Furthermore, he is only 23 years old. His best days are ahead of him. Given what we have seen the last few seasons, trading him could be a big mistake.

Untouchable #3 – Colton Parayko

After 16 goals last season, it is hard to believe that Colton Parayko finds himself without a goal in late January. However, just because the offense is not there does not mean the defense is not.

Parayko is having a good defensive season. He continues to lead the team in blocked shots, continues to get top-pair minutes on the ice, and even his in-depth numbers continue to show improvement. His goals allowed percentage (GAx) is currently at 50.59. That number has not been below 70 in an 82-game season since 2018-19. His defensive success this season is further highlighted by being named to Team Canada for the Olympics.

Parayko is the backbone the Blues need on defense. He also provides stability and leadership in the locker room. He is 32 years old, but his effectiveness on the ice shows no signs of decline.

A Foundation for the Future

The Blues have a bright future ahead, despite the struggles this season. Thomas, Neighbours, and Parayko are the foundation the Blues need to build their next contending team.

Those three are not the only ones, of course. The team hopes Joel Hofer is the goaltender of the future. They hope Dylan Holloway’s injury-plagued season is just an exception, not the rule. Above all, they hope players like Snuggerud, Dvorsky, and Otto Stenberg continue to develop, as do the other prospects in the system. Furthermore, they can add more future talent by performing well at the deadline this season.

The team may look different by the time March 6 passes. However, we should expect to see Thomas, Neighbours, and Parayko still proudly wearing the Blue Note.