Western Conference teams could be a contender in the Robert Thomas sweepstakes, giving the NY Islanders competition

The biggest name in the NHL who has emerged in trade rumors is Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old center is having a down season by his standards, recording 11 goals and 22 assists through 42 games, but has recorded 80+ points over his last two seasons and has a Stanley Cup to his name, winning one during his rookie season of 2018-19.

The cost for Thomas will be high, likely to require at least two first-round picks and a high-level prospect. The NY Islanders have kicked the tires as to his availability, and have the assets to make a deal happen if Mathieu Darche finds the price worthy. But the Blues aren't pressed to deal Thomas, as he has five years remaining on his current deal.

The Mammoth have emerged as a player for Robert Thomas

While the Islanders have the prospects and the draft capital to make a deal worth it, the Utah Mammoth have emerged as a team that could be pushing hard to acquire Thomas.

As strong as the Islanders' prospect pool has become over the last two seasons and with three first-round picks over the next two seasons, the Mammoth have an even stronger group of prospects, with conversations possibly surrounding Caleb Desnoyers. Utah also has both of its first-round picks over the next two seasons, including three second-round picks in the 2026 draft.

Mammoth owner, Ryan Smith, has been willing to make a splash, whether that's in free agency or a trade, as the league's newest team is looking to bring a perennial winner to Utah. Darche has said that he isn't willing to mortgage the future just to make a trade, but has also said that in the right deal, he's willing to move both of this year's first-round picks.

We'll see in a few days if Thomas is on the move, but the Mammoth and the Islanders could be two teams vying for his services.