Bruins Eye Better Blues Bargain Than Thomas

The Bruins circle St. Louis assets like vultures at the deadline, but Robert Thomas's astronomical price tag - three top-shelf first-round pieces plus his no-move clause - has front offices whispering about cheaper alternatives. Boston dangles Matthew Poitras and more to land a center without gutting the farm system, while Doug Armstrong holds firm on his point-per-game pivot despite the Blues' cellar-dwelling standings. Teams know Thomas controls his fate, but a smarter play lurks in St.