We know, at base minimum, that Lou Lamoriello has said really likes Nazem Kadri. We don't know how sincere his words are, if he likes him because he wants him to stay on the Toronto Maple Leafs, or if he likes him as trade fodder. All we actually know is he's said he likes him.
Kadri, a restricted free agent after this season, is still under team control - but it is possible that control could be relinquished to another team.
You know, via a trade. Because trade deadline.
To that end, Elliotte Friedman is all aboard speculating that Kadri could be on his way to St. Louis.
Still going on reddit with the @FriedgeHNIC #NHLTrade AMA. Casually answering ques... WHOA: https://t.co/cRt6BJlGfC pic.twitter.com/FQPp5kUhAW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 22, 2016
And again, in 30 Thoughts (#4):
I did a Reddit Hockey AMA on Monday and mentioned a curiosity to see Nazem Kadri in a Blues uniform. This was after I spoke to Armstrong, and before hearing Toronto assistant GM Kyle Dubas and Director of Pro Scouting Dave Morrison were on the list for San Jose/St. Louis Monday night.
Let’s not jump to conclusions, as it’s hard to know if anything actually is going on. There was a sense a year ago the Blues had interest, but it didn’t seem to go far. I remember thinking at the time he could be a great player surrounded by that team.
The Leafs have time on their side with Kadri. They can wait if they don’t get what they want.
As Friedman stresses, this is speculation. Still, if there's a history of the Blues wanting Kadri - well, it's speculation worth talking about, is it not?
Kadri is 25 years old. He's played 305 NHL games to date - all with the Leafs - and has 75 goals and 182 points to show for it. What would you want from the Blues, should he end up there?