St. Louis Blues: Help Us Obi-Rangers, You’re Our Only Hope
By Todd Panula
Trade Wars. It is a time of great upheaval among hockey fans. A dark time where light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, but is often false hope. Still, hope remains…
If this was an installment of the Star Wars saga as the title suggests, we’d probably be on Episode 61 by now. That’s how long it feels as though this Kevin Shattenkirk ordeal has lasted.
It has run the gambit of emotions and brought out the angst in some of us. Even myself, usually cool and collected, got angry at the latest revelations that two very beneficial trades for the Blues got blown up by the man himself.
In hindsight, it is understandable that Shattenkirk wants to choose his destination. He’s never been a true free agent and he wants that power and freedom. He wants to be able to maximize his earning potential in a place that will make him the most comfortable.
I get it and understand it. I don’t like it and don’t have to.
I’m a fan of the Blues as an organization, not just the pieces that make it up. As fans, we have irrational behaviors over things that don’t bother other people.
That’s neither here nor there at this point though. There seems little chance that the Blues can maximize on their potential since Shattenkirk is unlikely to work a sign-and-trade. There is also one caveat to that.
Our only hope, to borrow a phrase, might be the New York Rangers. It has long been speculated that the Blueshirts are Shattenkirk’s preferred destination.
So, as many have pointed out, why would they pay the high price the Blues are asking – rumored to be a first round pick, high prospect and another piece – when they are likely to get him via free agency? The answer could be fear. Fear of the unknown.
There is always the chance of the unknown happening and the Rangers might want to nip that in the bud by snatching him up now. If you wait until the summer, you run the risk of Boston throwing desperate money at him or the Islanders coming in from left field. Maybe Philadelphia makes a run with some mad money.
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Nobody is 100% certain what Shattenkirk wants. Clearly it is not just money. He turned down the exact figures he reportedly wanted from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Still, if you’re the Rangers, you can’t bank solely on him pining to return to the Empire State. It could be money and just the east coast, in which case you’re in competition with several potential suitors.
If the Rangers don’t make a deal, they also run the risk of Toronto throwing a wrench into the works. There are rumors, (weak ones, but rumors), that the Maple Leafs want Shattenkirk.
Toronto likely falls into the category of picking him up as a rental player. Still, even though Shattenkirk is an American, you can’t discount the lure of the hockey mad city. Also, the Leafs missed out on Steven Stamkos, so they might be more desperate to get a big name this time around. If the Blues were lucky in that scenario, they might steal Tyler Bozak or a pick.
The New York Rangers might be the only hope remaining for St. Louis to get an actual haul.
Sadly, that does not mean this will happen. If the Rangers are smart, they stand pat, see where the chips fall in the playoffs and make their run in the summer. Maybe they catch the Blues being desperate and make a weak trade just prior to free agency.
The Blues’ best hope is the Rangers get antsy. Doug Armstrong needs to be using his own team as an example.
Armstrong needs to be telling Rangers GM Jeff Gorton that the Blues went from Cup contender to playoff bubble team in one offseason. He needs to be using Jedi-mind tricks to convince Gorton to sell out now in an attempt to win this year.
Do whatever you need to do if you are Armstrong. Challenge Gorton’s manhood if you need.
The Blues need quite a bit of help for this situation to turn into something positive. At this point, it is what it is.
St. Louis apparently needed to deal off Shattenkirk last season before this terrible word of “rental” crept into the conversation. They needed him to realize Edmonton was an up and coming team during the summer.
Neither happened and now the player has all the control. As an old school thinking person, that does not sit well but it is what is right since most teams have no more loyalty than players.
Thus, we are at the impasse. There are still other teams with interest, but the New York Rangers might be our only hope. A shot in the dark if you will.
Now we just need to hope they take the bait and any potential deal doesn’t blow up like the Death Star, as two previous trades have.