NHL Rumors: David Carle, St. Louis Blues – Robert Thomas Trade Talk

David Carle Not Eager to Leave Denver for the NHL

Highly regarded coach David Carle has indicated he has no immediate plans to depart Denver for an NHL head coaching position. Last offseason, Carle engaged in discussions with teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks. However, these conversations reinforced his feeling that there is "zero reason" to leave Denver in the foreseeable future, if ever.

With Denver once again advancing to the Frozen Four, Carle's name is expected to be a prominent topic in NHL coaching rumors this offseason. Despite the renewed speculation, he affirms that his stance remains unchanged, stating, "I'm not more close-minded, not more open-minded to it. There's no rush to leave here."

Robert Thomas Trade Talks: A Genuine Consideration or a Motivational Tactic?

Speculation surrounding a potential trade involving St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas was indeed legitimate, prompting discussions about the team's underlying motives. Following Thomas's impressive hat trick, hockey analyst Elliotte Friedman expressed his surprise at the notion of trading such a valuable player.

Friedman elaborated, suggesting that while the Blues genuinely explored trade possibilities, the widespread rumors might also have been a deliberate strategy to "light a fire" under Thomas. Analyst Kyle Bukauskas noted that such a tactic would align with the Blues' historical methods. Friedman specifically mentioned Utah as the most likely suitor, but a deal presumably fell through because Utah was unwilling to include prospects like Caleb Desnoyers or Tij Iginla in the package. It appears the Blues were not entirely opposed to Thomas experiencing some apprehension from the trade talks, possibly viewing it as a motivational tool to enhance his performance.