Sabres get brutal news on Robert Thomas trade rumors with Blues

The Buffalo Sabres considered taking a big swing for St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas before Friday's NHL trade deadline.

But the bad news arrived Wednesday morning. It sounds like a connection hasn't been reached.

TSN's Darren Dreger posted this on X as the latest update:

"Update: It’s believed St Louis/Buffalo went the distance on Thomas trade talks. Sounds like the Sabres aren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces. (Prospects, Player, 1st). Still teams nibbling, but the Blues are firm in what the return needs to be for the young center."

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If that indeed holds true through Friday, then the Sabres won't have landed the immensely talented man in the middle that fans had begun to get excited about with rumors early in the week.

Thomas had 21 goals and 60 assists just last season, and while he hasn't been quite on that pace this year, the Blues as a whole have struggled. It's hard to blame that just on Thomas.

It's always hard to know how these rumors and negotiations really shape up. Were the Sabres ever that close to landing Thomas? Maybe not, if they really weren't getting up to the package the Blues were seeking.

Their interest is still very telling. The Sabres have turned their season around in a major way since December and are now on the verge of ending their 14-year playoff drought.

Thomas would've been a headline-grabbing move, but even if he's not coming to Buffalo, the Sabres could still be seeking upgrades at various spots in their lineup.

The pursuit of Thomas at all suggests that the Sabres really think they have a chance to go for it this season. That sets up a fun few days before the trade deadline, even if Thomas isn't a part of it for Buffalo.

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