Blues' Thomas Price Tag Towers Over Deadline Shoppers

The Blues slap a sky-high ask on Robert Thomas, testing the resolve of contenders desperate for a top-line center with five years left on his deal. Doug Armstrong knows Thomas anchors their core, but St. Louis' slide has front offices whispering about a reset before March 6. Teams circling this one better bring premium assets, as the GM isn't budging without a haul that rebuilds the pipeline overnight.