- Craig Custance of ESPN: Multiple sources saying that Kevin Shattenkirk’s is in play. It’s not that they Blues don’t like him, it has to do that they probably can’t afford him when he becomes a free agent after next season. May be hard for the Blues to trade someone like Shattenkirk when you are trying to win a cup.
“Unless they significantly improve or come out even somewhere else, that’d be a tough deal to make during the season,” said one NHL source. “Is that an area where they can give him up now and improve somewhere else in the lineup? Maybe it is. He’s going to be a good piece for someone if they trade him.”
May be more of an offseason deal. A trade now would likely mean the return would be greater as the acquiring team would have him for two playoff runs.
The Canadiens are reportedly pushing hard to acquire Jonathan Drouin.
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News made prediction of Jonathan Drouin and Steven Stamkos to the Red Wings for Gustav Nyquist, Alexey Marchenko, Anthony Mantha and two first round picks.
The more people Custance talks to, the more he thinks that Stamkos will remain with the Lightning.
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Two sources confirming that Kevin Shattenkirk’s name is out there again. Nothing appears to be imminent. Shattenkirk’s name first hit the rumor mill last summer. The Blues lack of scoring is a real concern.Shattenkirk is on the Blues second pairing behind Alex Pietrangelo, and will be looking for a big deal when his contact expires after next season.He is on pace for a career high 52 points. He’s battled a groin issue this year, and had abdominal surgery last year.Shattenkirk has one year left at $4.25 million, but it would likely take more than Pietrangelo’s $6.5 million per season to get a deal done.
An offseason trade is more likely, but a pre-deadline day trade shouldn’t be ruled out.