from Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe,

Change will happen in St. Louis, most likely behind the bench and on defense. Ken Hitchcock, who is without a contract for next year, has requested time to consider his future. His bosses have given him that chance. It’s a good bet that Hitchcock will not return once he comes to a decision. If Hitchcock leaves, he’ll have exiting company on the back end.

The Blues are committed to finding jobs for Robert Bortuzzo and Petteri Lindbohm next year. St. Louis needs more energy and bite on defense. Bortuzzo and Lindbohm play with both. The Blues also have to piece together enough funds through their system to re-up Vladimir Tarasenko, who will be restricted on July 5. The 23-year-old center is St. Louis’s best player. He scored 37 goals in 77 regular-season games, then added six more in the playoffs.

The two Blues defensemen who’d draw the most interest on the trade market are Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Both are gifted right-shot defensemen who can move the puck. They are in their career sweet spots. Either defenseman would command a good return.

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