If general manager Doug Armstrong‘s seat wasn’t hot before, it just might be scorching now.
St. Louis has traded defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to the Washington Capitals for a first round pick this year, a second round pick next year, and forward prospect Zach Sanford and Brad Malone. The Blues also traded away Pheonix Copley.
It is a move that has been met with mixed feelings, as Shattenkirk has developed quite the chemistry with new coach Mike Yeo. With that said, the team now is set up for even more success in the future, as they begin to stockpile draft picks. The Blues will also absorb less than 50 percent of Shattenkirk’s remaining salary.
They also gain a player to fill the gap left by Robby Fabbri, who tore his ACL last month. Sanford, 22, has played 26 games with Caps this season and has two goals and three assists.
Of course, losing Shattenkirk still hurts the Blues. The 28-year old veteran put up at least 40 points in five of his seven seasons in St. Louis. He also had 11 goals and 42 points heading into Monday night, which is on pace for a career best. In addition, he has 124 power-play points since 2011, which is the second-most of any NHL defenseman.
He has 284 points (66 goals, 218 assists) in 471 NHL regular-season games in seven seasons with the Blues and Colorado Avalanche.
When former Blues forward T.J Oshie was asked about being reunited with his old teammate Shattenkirk, he responded: “Couldn’t be more excited.”
Two of the Capitals rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, were rumored to have been in the hunt to gain Shattenkirk, but any potential deal fell through, and the Capitals took clear advantage.
Speaking of the Rangers, that is who Shattenkirk will face first as a member of the Capitals.
