December 11, 2023 | 4:06pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BLUES WORKING ON TRYING TO TRADE VRANA

Jakub Vrana, forward

The St. Louis Blues were expected to place forward Jakub Vrana on waivers on Monday, but as trade discussions intensified, the team elected to hold on to him in anticipation of a trade working out.

Vrana, 27, is in the final year of a three-year, $15.75 million contract. While his full season cap hit is $5.25 million, the Blues are responsible for $2.625 million of that and the Detroit Red Wings are on the hook balance after retaining half of his contract in a trade.

It is unclear which teams are in talks with the Blues for Vrana, who has registered two goals and four assists in 19 games so far this season.

Vrana’s agent, J.P. Barry, confirmed to TFP that the Blues were “in discussions with teams before the waiver process,” and the belief is a deal could be imminent.

Several teams had expressed interest in Vrana last season before the Red Wings dealt him to the Blues, including the New York Islanders, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks.