The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reports that the Blues are considering moving Kevin Shattenkirk even though St. Louis is in the thick of the Western Conference's playoff race:
Doug Armstrong is facing a deadline dilemma. Since deciding he’d send head coach Ken Hitchcock packing in favour of Mike Yeo on Feb. 1, the St. Louis Blues are back in a playoff position and heading into Saturday’s action they were five points ahead of the Nasville Predators for the final playoff spot in the Central Division.
Now, the Blues’ GM has an even bigger decision to make regarding unrestricted free agent defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk.
He is regarded by many in league circles as the biggest chip available at the March 1 trade deadline, but Armstrong is facing the reality that the Blues are in the thick of the playoff race in the West. Can he really afford to send Shattenkirk elsewhere just because he won’t sign a deal?
The New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams that have shown interest.
Right now, the asking price for Shattenkirk, 28, who has 11 goals and 42 points, has three elements: a high-end prospect, a first-round pick and another piece. Teams don’t want to pay that for a rental and the Blues are willing to do a sign and trade. However, a deal fell through recently.
“If they can get a good deal I think they’ll take the assets,” said a league executive Saturday.
Garrioch continues with many rumors...
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