The St. Louis Blues had been one of the teams that was projected to be a seller at this year’s trade deadline; however, they ended up making no actions. Instead, the Blues caught up with the status quo and will move forward in their far-fetched playoff push.

After the deadline passed, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong released a statement on why he chose not to switch things up at all at the deadline, according to a post from the group on social media.

“We had been in touch with a few teams on a few hockey trades,” Armstrong stated, via the team on X. “At the end of the day, we ended up moving ahead with the team that is playing first-rate hockey right now.”

In Armstrong’s defense, the Blues are playing some of their best hockey in the meantime. Entering Friday’s tilt with the Anaheim Ducks, the Blues are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and are contending for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. St. Louis is neck-and-neck with the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames, and the Utah Hockey Club for that spot, so the competition can be fierce over the final month of the season.

Many of the Blues’ high-profile names had been connected to possible trades. Goalie Jordan Binnington, who has had his ups and downs but was excellent in Team Canada’s win over Team USA in the 4 Nations championship game, was linked to the Edmonton Oilers before the deadline.

Star center Brayden Schenn has additionally been rumored to be on the block, but the Blues didn’t end up doing anything with either of them.

The conservative method to the deadline was complicated to some because, even if the Blues make the playoffs, it is doubtful what their ceiling will be when they get there. If St. Louis snags the second Wild Card spot, it would be a large underdog in a presumed matchup in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets. However, Armstrong is genuinely assured that it can get the job done as currently constructed.