from Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times,

So this is pure speculation and makes sense only if St. Louis, with a no-move clause in his contract, determines leaving gives him the best chance to again play for a winner before he retires.

Consider these circumstances:

When St. Louis in July 2010 signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract extension, he did so with the notion the organization, under new ownership and management, would move in a positive direction. But after the team reached the Eastern Conference final in 2010-11, it was out of the playoffs in 2011-12 and appears this season it will fall short again.

St. Louis, 37, might look at a team clearly in transition — it is trying to develop Anders Lindback as a No. 1 goaltender and has eight players on its current roster who played last season or have played this season in the AHL — and wonder how much longer he can wait.

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