With Trades Of Kyrou, Schenn, Faulk, Blues Have Positioned Themselves To Do Something Big
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Lou KoracWed, June 24, 2026 at 11:56 PM UTC·6 min readST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues already had a number of options as to what they would/could do with three first-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft that begins on Friday in Buffalo.
But with the acquisition of a fourth first round pick as part of the trade with the Washington Capitals for Jordan Kyrou on Tuesday, the Blues are now positioned to not only move up significantly in the draft should they choose to do so, make a significant trade with the assets in hand or -- dare I say it -- make a significant offer sheet to a big-time restricted free agent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAll these assets have been compiled together following trades of Brayden Schenn (New York Islanders) and Justin Faulk (Detroit Red Wings) last year that netted two first-round picks, two third-round picks, a goalie prospect (Marcus Gidlof), a forward prospect (Dmitry Buchelnikov), forward Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Justin Holl, then bringing in forward Connor McMichael and 2025 forward prospect Milton Gastrin and a first-round pick for Kyrou.
Sitting here on a Wednesday, the Blues have 13 picks between Friday and Saturday, including four firsts, three thirds, two fourths and two fifths. There's a wealth of picks that are for sale at the right price, and teams know the Blues will be listening.
And general manager Doug Armstrong is ready, willing and able to pick up the phone.
"The way that we look at our last season and at the trade deadline to today, we felt that we needed to change course in some ways," Armstrong said. "We moved out three veteran players, players I hold in high regard, but we return (11) assets out of those three players. Three first-round picks, name players also and a couple thirds. We felt that where we were at the trade deadline, we wanted to change the complexion of our organization, the direction of our team, and we believe that adding those (11) assets has put us in a very good spot to be active this week if we can be in improving our team. What's in the war chest when we wake up Sunday morning? It could be NHL players, it could be prospects, but we're either going to have one of two things. If we draft all four players (in the first round) and all 13 (picks), we'll probably shoot up in the rankings of prospect pools around the league, and if we trade for established players, people will say we're a better team on Sunday than today because we've added NHL players, so it gives us some opportunity to try and get as creative as other teams will allow us to."
AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's not as if the Blues also have to empty the tank and give up everything they have for other minimal assets. They are in position to go big-game hunting, but they can also play it slower and acquire solid assets/move up in the draft while keeping some of their assets for themselves and be able to make due in both scenarios.
"Yeah, I think you can, but also you could use all four first-rounders to get one exceptional player that you don't think you can ever get," Armstrong said. "I just think the picks allow our group to get more creative than we have in the past just using numbers, no names. But I do see a scenario where we try and serve both the amateur staff and the pro staff by picking on Friday but also adding to the team that will take the ice in September."
Getting the trade done with the Capitals early in the week was imperative to give the notion to the rest of the league the Blues are open for business. Teams can sit back, assess the Blues' situation and come to the realization that they have assets other teams may want.
"Yeah, I think it was important for us," Armstrong said. "It allows the other 31 teams to digest what St. Louis is trying to accomplish and see if they can participate. If we can use some of these assets to improve our team, we will. We will strongly consider it. So now if you're one of 31 other teams, and you say, 'OK, St. Louis has 11, 15, 16, 29, this is what they want to try and accomplish, do we want a draft pick? Can we use this draft pick? What do we have to offer to get it because they're willing to move it?' So what it does is instead of 12 hours, it allows them 48 hours to really dig in to what they have and what we have and see if there's a potential match there."
The Blues went hunting two years ago and surprised the hockey world with double offer sheets -- that went unmatched -- to defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway, prying them away from the Edmonton Oilers.
For my money, and knowing Armstrong is in the final days as GM before Alexander Steen takes the reigns on July 1, the Blues should be positioning themselves to go big-game hunting via offer sheets again. And this time, the thought should be big, big game hunting.
Why shouldn't Steen make a big statement and offer sheet someone like, say, Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars)? Quite frankly, if the reports are accurate, and Robertson wants $14-plus million per season, give it to him, and yes, four first-round picks in the next five drafts is a high price to pay, but imagine a sniper like that on Robert Thomas' line? How about a sign-and-trade? The Blues have assets to make something like this -- and this is just an example -- of happening now.
But, in the case they would prefer to simply move up or into the top five?
AdvertisementAdvertisement"You don't see many teams move out of certain areas, and I say that last night Chicago did," Armstrong said. "I don't want to say I didn't see it coming, but that was a very aggressive trade by both sides. So, everyone knows what we have, and if they want to engage St. Louis, that pick -- 1, 2, 3, 4 -- they know what we have and I would welcome the call."
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
