If the Blues are out of playoff contention near the deadline, trading Faksa would normally be the correct move. But what are they getting back: a third-round pick? He’s still only 31 years old, and as a veteran player with a high work ethic, he might be someone the Blues want to bring back as their fourth-line center next season.

The St. Louis Blues placed forward Brandon Saad on waivers with the intent of sending him to the minors, and general manager Doug Armstrong, in speaking with reporters Tuesday, said "obviously, the production's not there" for a veteran who has 16 points.

When the calendar turned to January, the St. Louis Blues were in the mix for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. January would provide key stretches that could have made or broken their season.