from Jeremy P. Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

The career of the longest-tenured current professional athlete in St. Louis sports is coming to an end.

The Blues have notified Blues defenseman Barret Jackman, 34, that they will be going in a "different direction" and thus not re-signing him this offseason.

Jackman, whose three-year, $9.5 million contract expires on June 30, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He will be allowed to sign with another organization without compensation.

Jackman was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

In a postseason interview with the Post-Dispatch, prior to meeting with the Blues regarding his future, Jackman said he remained interested in continuing his career, if not here, somewhere.

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