Would Blues consider trading Alex Pietrangelo or Kevin Shattenkirk?

[The Black Panther]

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/20...YIK/story.html


Work to do in St. Louis

Change will happen in St. Louis, most likely behind the bench and on defense. Ken Hitchcock, who is without a contract for next year, has requested time to consider his future. His bosses have given him that chance. It’s a good bet that Hitchcock will not return once he comes to a decision. If Hitchcock leaves, he’ll have exiting company on the back end. The Blues are committed to finding jobs for Robert Bortuzzo andPetteri Lindbohm next year. St. Louis needs more energy and bite on defense. Bortuzzo and Lindbohm play with both. The Blues also have to piece together enough funds through their system to re-up Vladimir Tarasenko, who will be restricted on July 5. The 23-year-old center is St. Louis’s best player. He scored 37 goals in 77 regular-season games, then added six more in the playoffs. The two Blues defensemen who’d draw the most interest on the trade market are Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. Both are gifted right-shot defensemen who can move the puck. They are in their career sweet spots. Either defenseman would command a good return.

[Shake]

No. I don't think so.

They would most likely move one of Berglund, Bouwmeetster or Ott before they move Peitrangelo or Shatts.

[27Blue]

Definitely not. Probably the last two guys the Blues would consider moving.

[pmorrow]

Bizarre, unfounded speculation. Is this because Boston are clearly looking for defenseman and the writer wanted to give his readers something to talk about? Probably.

Those are the last two players the Blues would trade other than Tank.

[Jouko-Pouko]

Since when has Tarasenko been a center? That right there is why I don't put much stock into this rumor.

[Axeman33]

As soon as I saw it was written by a Boston Globe staff reporter, I didn't buy into the rumor.

[fungchen3]

The Blues would be better off trying to find a sucker to take Bouwmeester off their hands. But they should "consider" trading anyone not named Tarasenko or (maybe) Shattenkirk. All depends on what another team is offering. If the Penguins call and offer Malkin in exchange for Pietrangelo and a pick, should the Blues not consider it?

[27Blue]

Pietrangelo is more important to the Blues than Shattenkirk, though neither will be moved. More valuable than Tarasenko, too. None of these three guys will be moved. I doubt J-Bo will be moved either.

[ericdaoust]

Unless losing intentionally is the goal I don't see the point in moving these two.

[Big Ev]

There are at least two-three Blues who are better players than Tarasenko.

[The Bottlenecker]

As crazy as this sounds, I could see the Blues trading one of those guys IF, and only if, they got a top forward and a prospect. A Malkin might be too much to ask, but why not a setup guy like Bergeron, Turris or Zetterberg (as examples).

Just throwin that out there, but I don't see it necessarily happening.

[yougo]

The Blues are committed to finding jobs for Robert Bortuzzo andPetteri Lindbohm next year. St. Louis needs more energy and bite on defense. Bortuzzo and Lindbohm play with both.

Kinda stopped reading after this. How dumb would Armstrong be if he traded one of Shattenkirk or Pietrangelo to make place for Bortuzzo or Lindbohm.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Maybe the Globe reporter is trying to pull a Jedi mind trick on the Blues so they trade them one of Pietrangelo or Shattenkirk? Only way this article makes sense.

[baumer]

I think the Blues not only could but they should trade one of them. They are loaded on D and if they get rid of fat ass behind the bench, make Elliot their number one without fear of losing it after one bad game, trade one of their studs for some more depth on offense, then they will get past the first round. But as long as fat ass is behind the bench, they won't go anywhere.

[Zorro]

The Blues need to trade any players who keep choking in the playoffs.. Regular season, this team is stacked.. Come playoff time, this team is full of kittens..

Is it the coach?? Is it the goalies?? Is it the skaters??

Clearly something needs to give!!