Now what? Inconsistent Blues move on without Shattenkirk (Yahoo Sports)

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong insisted Tuesday that his trade of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk doesn't signal surrender this season, though he said the team is much different than the group that advanced to the Western Conference finals last season. ''If this team was at the place it was a year ago, Kevin Shattenkirk would be a St. Louis Blue,'' said Armstrong, who acknowledged he discussed an eight-year contract extension with the player's representatives before the season. ''We're not in the business of trading good players for prospects when your team has a chance to win the Cup.