Torey Krug lands in hot water with serious consequences

Defenseman Torey Krug’s name has been in the rumour mill most of the past season, especially since he reportedly blocked a trade from his St. Louis Blues attempted to move him to the Philadelphia Flyers, using his no-trade clause. He has since remained a trade candidate, however, his actions when the trade possibility came up with the Flyers may have landed him in more trouble than he ever thought.

Insider Frank Seravalli believes the Blues could choose to buy out the remainder of Krug’s contract to make him pay for blocking the aforementioned trade:

“Never count out GM Doug Armstrong from something spicy, bordering on vindictive. Armstrong doesn’t mess around, and Krug threw a huge wrench into last summer’s plans when he (rightfully) blocked a trade to Philadelphia by virtue of his ‘no-trade’ clause. You know what ‘no-trade’ clauses don’t protect against? Buyouts.”

Not sure what the Blues will decide to do with Krug, but if they go the buyout route, the defenseman would be on the books for six years, carrying a cap penalty of $333,000 to $2.33 million. Seravalli explains that Krug’s buyout would span over the next four seasons “barely adds up to one more season at $6.5 million.”

Seravalli adds: “Something probably will change there, and exercising the buyout on Krug – not necessarily just for cap space reasons – would send a strong message.”

I guess we will have to wait and see what the Blues decide to do with the former Boston Bruins blue liner and what’s next for him going into the 2024-25 season…