Insider revealed Surprising Blues Trade update... This HUGE

NHL insider Elliott Freeman just revealed a surprising trade update surrounding the St. Louis Blues as he goes as far as saying he is surprised this trade has not yet been completed. We're going to dive into everything you need to know on Alex Steen and the Blues being linked to a young defenseman which changes absolutely everything and the landscape of this team moving forward. Plus multiple more updates surrounding the team. We're going to break down all this and so much more in this episode. But Darius, before we get into it, just a big reminder if you haven't hit that subscribe button yet but you want to stay up to date with everything to do around this organization, make sure to go down and hit it. It means the absolute world and we'll keep you up to date daily all around the St. Louis Blues as the season is upon us and we're going to get into this trade update. But the St. Louis Blues officially put out their 2026-2027 opening night roster with a lot of surprising names. Of course, I did a video on Adam Juracek being called up after injuries to Logan Mayhew who is out with a surgery. But Darius, there is a massive topic that we need to get into today because the St. Louis Blues have not only been linked to a young blue liner that not only helps with the now but also the future. But Elliott Freeman went as far to speak on the occasion and his current status and situations with the Hurricanes organization. If he wanted to be going to Winnipeg and signing there, it would have been done already. There's now teams with permission to speak on the occasion since he changed agents. The Hurricanes are looking to, of course, get a three-team trade to complete it and the St. Louis Blues have been a consistent pursuer and there are some who are surprised it hasn't happened yet. Darius, what is your thoughts on this? Because of course, we've seen the reports but this alone from Freeman makes it almost feel like it's going to happen at this point. Yeah, and obviously they've been linked since the beginning. We heard that the New York Rangers basically had a trade in place and they couldn't agree on contract terms. So that fell through at the time. But the Blues have been the only other team that have been linked at this point that we've heard names. You know, there's a lot that could be going on behind the scenes right now and they're keeping quiet. But from what we've heard, they're the only team that has been linked to Alexander McKeishon. Now, you mentioned defense and some injuries to the fence. I wasn't around for that video. Obviously, you mentioned Logan Mayhew out with surgery. He's out for about, you know, two months at this point. Devastating injury. There could be a need for more defense. And I think in general, I like what they've done with the team. But I feel like adding McKeishon is just, you know, he's a great young defender. I mean, a lot of teams could. 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And if you absolutely don't like it, they also have a 90 day money back guarantee. But right now, viewers and listeners of Blues Digest get 50% off for life, three free gifts and free shipping. If you use the link down below or go to mengotomars.com. You can see it down below right here, mengotomars.com and use the link. And of course, when you are at checkout, they're going to ask you where you found the product or that 50% off for life. Let them know that Blues Digest sent you. And once again, huge thank you to Mars Men for continuing to support the channel. The season's right around the corner. They've been long-term supporters of the channel for a couple months now. So really appreciate the support. And go check them out, link in the description. But like you said, you know, Friedman saying that it's a little bit surprising at this point. I mean, there's a lot of things that need to be worked out. But maybe with Logan Mayhew, you know, on IR now, it could push things a little bit quicker. And I think that's the biggest thing. Because that line alone of their people that are looking at us and surprised it hasn't happened yet. It really makes you look at the Blues. As you said, they've been consistent pursuers. We've seen them linked all the way back to July when this whole situation started. Teams have started to pull out of the race. But the Blues are consistently in on the Blues. There's so many C's in that word. But looking at Nakeesh now, of course, adding a young blue liner. There's so much potential with this. There's a lot of implications. You'd have to move out some hefty prices. We're going to get into what he's asking for on his next contract as he's still not signed. And of course, what the cost is. But Darius, his first year in the NHL, went exactly what any player wants. Winning the Stanley Cup, going out, having a productive season, and being a key piece for that team that went in and won that Cup. This year, as a young defenseman, of course, he got into a few games in their playoff run last year before getting fully implemented into his season. But the biggest thing with Nakeesh now is the asking price of not only trading for him, but locking him up to a contract. Now, of course, the NHL world and the entire landscape has continued to change. We're seeing people like Zeke Boyum sign $9 million deals. And like Freeman continues on. On Monday's pod, the Nakeeshian believe we'd be looking for $9 million AAV over five years. I have a few sources that reached out to say they think that could be lower in the right situation, which goes straight into the term of the contract. Now, of course, with the new CBA, you can only sign a player for seven years maximum if you hold their rights. If you're signing them as a free agent, of course, that's capped out at six now. But Darius, looking at this, this is a blue team that has a bit of catch What is your thoughts on not only going out to get Nakeeshian, but getting them on a four year deal, say three year deal at $8 million, $7 million. Not only opens that window a little more, but you get a cost controlled guy that helps the team at the current moment. Now, obviously you want, I think, longer term. I know that he wants five years because he is a little bit older, right? When you think of Zeke Boyum, I think that he's a little bit older. So you probably want to cash in one last time. That does make sense for the player. Like I understand it from that point of view. But at the same time, you know, with the blues, I think you would have to move out significant money. Like this player is not coming over for nothing, right? And you would have to send some money back the other way. The Hurricanes clearly are not going to make this work. We've gotten to this point where the season starts this week. He's not signed. And they've made it clear, like, we want to move this player because we're not going to sign him. We don't see him as a part of this team. He's asking for too much. And maybe they don't value it that way. Maybe another team will. Maybe the blues want to value it that way, right? Maybe. But to me, there is some type of hold up here. Maybe the player has overvalued himself. And the more I think about it, the more I look at other players and his skill set. Do I think Nikishin makes this team better? Yeah, he's a great young defenseman that plays physical. Is he one of those top young defensemen that's getting all that money right now? I don't know. I think he's touching that, but I'm not sure if he's quite in that tier, right? And on the other side of things, you know, he hasn't played that long. Some of the other younger players have played their entire ELCs, right? And played in the league already. They played three years, four years, and they're getting these contracts. So that's the one thing that could be a hold up for me. But we see the comments all the time. Guys, let us know how you feel in the comments below. We see the comments all the time. Half the fan base, it seems like they really want this guy. He can be a game breaker. He can be a deal breaker for this team. And half the fan base is like, do not touch this with a 10-foot pole. I don't want anything to do with this. They would have to give up significant money. And I think where it gets interesting is, do you want to? And could you give up a guy like Ucnevic, right? There's interesting caveats there. You know, when you look at his contract, could that even work? Do you give up that player, right? You got to give up money here to free up cash base. Not like a significant amount. You're not right up against it like most other teams where they're in tough and they have a bunch of players with no movement clauses. But that being said, you're going to have to make some big moves here in order to make this work. But I think it's something they're definitely still taking a look at. I mean, they have to. This is a player that I think would make them better, that left side better. And maybe they're looking at moving somebody out. But if you have, you know, who do we have on that left side, right? You're thinking of Leo Lindstein moving into the future, right? You have Cam Fowler right now. And you have Broberg, right? But if you were to remove one of those guys, and hopefully it's not Leo Lindstein. And hopefully it's not Philip Broberg. So do the math. If you remove one of those guys and bring in Nikishin, I think that does make you a better team. And I think Nikishin can play the right as well. But Mark, I don't know if you have any other thoughts on that. I don't necessarily love that when lefties play on the right and vice versa. He's on the left, but especially on defense. But no, I think this is going to continue to heat up here. Because a decision is going to have to be made sooner rather than later. The season's about to start. Because that's the big thing. Connor Hellebuck's kind of feeling like the stalemate on this. Because of course, Buffalo wants to acquire him. There's other teams that are in on Connor Hellebuck, including Carolina. So the three-team trade needs to get done, as there's two players not playing for the teams. The St. Louis Blues have that opportunity. Of course, looking at the cost. If you're moving out a first-round pick or the equivalent, people are starting to bring up, especially from the Winnipeg sides, guys like Justin Carbineau, other young guys like Adam Jurczyk. So it's going to be interesting what they're willing to give up if they truly want an occasion within this organization. Listen, he has the pedigree. He has the experience when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup. He's actually played more than a lot of guys in the NHL when it comes to rounds. Let us know your thoughts down in the comments. What type of package would you give? What is your thoughts on Freeman? Seeing there's people around the league that are genuinely surprised this trade hasn't happened yet. Let us know your thoughts on the opening night coming Friday, because that's going to be such a fun game, and hopefully we go out and win in both the back-to-back games, which is insane to say at the start of the year. But fans, let us know your thoughts down in the comments. I've been your host, Mark, with my co-host, Darius, and take care.