The St. Louis Blues are looking to change things up. Recently the Blues were linked to the Boston Bruins as a potential trade partner. Players weren’t specifically named, but it was believed a top-6 forward was involved. Now a new report from The Fourth Period has surfaced suggesting the Blues are shopping Patrik Berglund in what would likely be a package deal involving other players/assets. The same report also suggests Brian Elliott might be an expendable asset as well.
Blues fans would rejoice should news break about a trade involving Berglund, but a trade involving Elliott may be difficult to stomach. Berglund has played mediocre hockey for the last several seasons and it was a surprise to see the Blues extend his contract to the tune of three years, $11.1 million prior to 2014-15. The team cutting its losses would make a lot of sense, but it’s clear the Blues would receive a minimal return due to Berglund’s lackluster efforts.
As for Elliott, he has been sidelined for the last couple weeks with an injury. The Blues called on Martin Brodeur and suddenly found themselves with three goalies and only two spots. Jake Allen is the future of the St. Louis crease and it won’t make much sense to keep both Elliott and Brodeur on the roster. Elliott is signed through 2016-17 and trading him away would once again for the Blues to find a backup once the year ends considering Brodeur isn’t a long-term answer. An Elliott trade sounds like a fix with long-term consequences for a short-term problem.
Take the reports above for what they are – rumors. The Blues are having some issues which need correcting (still inconsistent on offense, lackadaisical defense) and a trade may be the way to shake things up.
