Blues’ Josh Leivo Could Be Surprising Trade Candidate

It seems like the St. Louis Blues will likely become sellers at the trade deadline despite taking three of a possible four points in their last two games against Central Division opponents. If that’s the case, keep an eye on Josh Leivo, who could surprise people as a good trade piece.

The Blues do not need a high return for Leivo, but moving on from the 29-year-old left-winger could open up more opportunities for young players like Alexey Toropchenko and Jake Neighbors. However, if the team trades too many forwards, they could be left with holes in the lineup that will be hard to fill from within the organization.

Leivo may not be as popular a trade candidate as Vladimir Tarasenko or captain Ryan O’Reilly, but the return for him could amount to a mid-round draft pick that will help rebuild the Blues’ farm system. General manager Doug Armstrong did well by signing Leivo, as he could net a mid to late-round pick in the draft for just $750,000.

Leivo appeared in 76 games that season, scoring 14 goals and adding 10 assists. He has never been a huge factor on the power play, as he has just five power-play goals in his career. Instead, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound forward has been relied on to be a physical force and a net-front presence.

Leivo’s ability to throw his body around is what Blues head coach Craig Berube has been looking for, and it is a big reason why he is getting first-line minutes. He has missed 10 games this season due to injury, but when healthy, he has contributed offensively.

That said, Leivo has made himself expendable as a depth forward who does not bring a lot of offense to the team but is able to provide other contributions. There are plenty of players in the American Hockey League who could step in and play a similar role if the Blues decide to trade him.

However, if the Blues find themselves in playoff contention in March, then they could use a veteran forward to help push for another Stanley Cup. A dramatic shootout win over the Edmonton Oilers to start a five-game road trip was a step in the right direction, but they still remain three points behind the Avalanche, who have three games in hand.

Now is a good time to evaluate where the Blues stand and whether or not they will indeed be sellers. Armstrong is famous for making small, incremental moves, but now he has two stars who could bring legitimate value to St. Louis because of how Leivo has elevated their games. The team is on the brink of retooling the roster if they continue to fall out of contention in the Western Conference. Leivo won’t headline the festivities at the deadline, but he could be a valuable addition to any contender.