Blues extend qualifying offers to six restricted free agents

The Blues took an important step today to solidifying their cap situation. General manager Doug Armstrong tendered qualifying offers today to six of their pending restricted free agents: Jordan Kyrou, Zach Sanford, Robert Thomas, Dakota Joshua, Ivan Barbashev, and Pavel Buchnevich. Due to the QOs, the Blues retain exclusive negotiation rights with the six players.

They did not extend qualifying offers to four pending UFAs: forward Jacob de la Rose (who is playing in Sweden), forward Eric Foley, goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick, and forward Evan Polei.

None of the Blues’ RFA qualifying offers should surprise anyone. Kyrou, Thomas, Barbashev were all protected for the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft. Dakota Joshua, in just 12 games played, made a huge impression as a capable fourth line forward who isn’t scared to play a heavy hitting game. Pavel Buchnevich was acquired Friday at the NHL’s expansion draft in a trade with the New York Rangers that saw Sammy Blais and next year’s second round pick head to the Big Apple