St. Louis Blues Trade T.J. Oshie for Troy Brouwer

We knew it wouldn’t last forever. And forever it was not.

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St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong, who had been shopping T.J. Oshie since December, if rumors can be believed, finally found a buyer in the Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan.

Oshie was sent to Washington in exchange for Troy Brouwer, a goalie prospect, Phoenix Copley, and a 2016 3rd-round pick.

Washington is getting a good points-producer in Oshie, who has three 50+ points seasons under his belt and is one of the best shootout athletes in the NHL, but the Blues aren’t getting nothing in return. On first glance, the trade seemed somewhat lopsided, but after examining the assets the Blues acquired in the Oshie deal, it seems the Blues didn’t make out so badly after all.

Troy Brouwer consistently out-scores Oshie in goals, and while he isn’t the same play-maker Oshie is, he brings solid possession numbers (the magic word when it comes to Hitchcock) and a Stanley Cup ring to the St. Louis Blues.

Brouwer may have posted his best possession numbers with Chicago, but his time on the Washington Capitals saw two of his three 20-goal seasons as he was given more offensive freedom in Washington.

Brouwer had 46 goals over the past two seasons and 40 assists. He’s older than Oshie and will will be a UFA at the end of the 2015-2016 season, leaving Armstrong plenty of room to negotiate a somewhat cheaper deal that Oshie likely would have asked for. While the Blues are missing out on Oshie’s prime years (he is only 28) his dissatisfaction with Hitchcock’s style of coaching and vocalizing that to the media this season was likely a large mark against him.

When Armstrong re-signed Hitchcock to yet another one-year deal, Oshie’s time in St. Louis was up. And Brouwer, who is considered a good guy in the room, is in.

We look forward to seeing what Brouwer can do for St. Louis on the ice. He was positive about his future in St. Louis when talking to media.

“I wasn’t really expecting to be traded, but you have to know that it can happen at times,” Brouwer said. Coming to St. Louis, I’m excited. I know [Washington] has been looking for a player that can fit on the Capitals’ top line. It seemed like the deal came together quickly.

“I’m an honest player, a guy that works hard. I can make some plays … but I’m a big-bodied forward, get into the corners,” Brouwer continued. “I feel like I’m a pretty well-round player who can score …. hopefully 30 goals …. and finish my checks.”

As for the others included in this trade, well, it never hurts to have another Draft pick. As for Copley, this will give Armstrong some wiggle room when the Blues and Elliott part ways at the end of the 2015-2016 season.

Per the NHL’s press release:

Brouwer, 29, had 21 goals and 22 assists (43 points) in 82 games last season. He has missed one game in four seasons since being traded to Washington by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011. He has 255 points (132 goals) in 531 NHL games.Copley, 23, was 17-4-3 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .925 save percentage in 26 games with Hershey of the American Hockey League last season.

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