2 Minute Minor
Hi Keeba!
IMO, Armstrong will ultimately consider trading any number of players including Steen, Backes, Oshie, Berglund and/or a few others to accomplish two goals:
1. Clear space for salary demands of Tank and Schwartz
2. get a sniper to play with Stastny.
3. possibly swap some defensive pieces to give it a different character
The only reason I think this analysis changes is if for some reason he works out a trade of Stastny or he simply can't get fair value for these players.
Put another way, the only players who I would consider completely safe from a trade at this point are the STL line. I feel the Blues are very close, but not quite there, to being able to consistently beat the Kings and Hawks. I have a feeling Armstrong sees it the same way.
The STL line and Steen and Backes are the forwards I think are not realistic trade bait.