Blues Open to Trading Backes, Oshie and Berglund

In a statement released by Blues GM Doug Armstrong, a statement that comes to no surprise for Blues fans, the Blues are apparently “open minded” to trading some of their core players (and perennial fan favorites) including David Backes, T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund. With the re-signing of Coach Hitchcock for one more year, some may be thinking the Blues are planning to take another run at the Cup with their current roster before looking at a new approach. Odds makers rank them as a top five contender for that ever-elusive Lord Stanley’s Cup in the 2015-2016 season. Backes has one more year left on his contract while Oshie and Berglund are both signed through the 2016-2017 season. The three rank as the team’s third, fourth and fifth highest players and there is no doubt that the Blues are looking at the signing of Vladimir Tarasenko as a top priority. As well they should be. Armstrong noted that a move would only be made if it would better the team and will not be done to appease fans or send a message to the clubhouse.

So who are some of the top rumored trade candidates? The Canadiens are looking to make some serious cap room and may be interested in shopping a number of players including Defenseman Alexei Emelin who is still owed $4.1 million as well as Tomas Plekanec (Center) who is still owed $5 million. The Blues could definitely use a little strength to their offense and Plekanec put up 26 goals and 34 assists last year. The Blackhawks have indicated that Patrick Sharp will be traded, likely in the next week, although they are already in talks with the Caps and that deal looks to be rather close to finalizing. The Avs are reportedly shopping Center Ryan O’Reilly, the 2014 Lady Byng Trophy Winner who put up 17 goals and 38 assists last year. The Leafs may be looking to deal Phil Kessel who boasted 26 goals and 36 assists last year. The Blues have reportedly shown some interest in Goalie Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators, although it is unclear where that would leave the goalie duo of Elliott and Allen.

Regardless of how this shapes up, a move like this will undoubtedly rustle some feathers. Backes, Oshie and Berglund have been big names in STL hockey for quite some time now and we all remember the Olympics….Still, there is one goal and one goal only in St. Louis right now – figure out a way to win that Cup. Stay tuned Blues fans…the coming weeks could be interesting.