Confirmed Trade: [STL/WAS] Shattenkirk 39% rtnd, Copley for Sanford, Malone, 1st ('17), cndl 2nd ('19)

[Oberyn]

His individual defensive game hasn't "rounded out" all that much in six years...he maybe played in a more defensive minded system, but he's not really a lot better defensively today than he was when he stepped off the plane from Colorado. If it had, the Blues would've likely moved other pieces around to keep the guy, or at least would've given him more defensive responsibility protecting leads.

Believe me, as a blues fan that understands what it's like to watch my team get bounced out of the playoffs year after year, and as a fan f the team who gets an additional draft pick if you make it to the ECF - i sincerely hope it works out as cleanly as you think it will.

There are road games in the playoffs. It's not as neat and easy as "just make sure Kevin Shattenkirk is only out there against the forwards that cant hurt you".

Shattenkirk is much better defensively than he was in Colorado. It just so happens that he plays on a team that has 2 RHD that are superior to him defensively. You do realize the Blues tried to keep Shattenkirk last offseason? They discussed an 8 year extension but he declined because he wanted a new opportunity. The Blues were fully prepared to fit Shattenkirk into their future.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Shattenkirk isn't some defensive stud, but he sure as hell isnt a liability. His biggest problem was that he played on a team with Pietrangelo and Parayko. Those two are clearly a step ahead of him defensively and it makes him appear to be worse than he actually is.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Count me as a Blues fan that isn't impressed with Shatty's defensive game. He's soft against the rush, not great in the corners and is soft at tying up sticks near the crease. He's not "bad" defensively but he's borderline 2nd pairing/3rd pairing in terms of his defensive ability at the NHL level IMO. He consistently was the Blues' #5 d-man at 5 on 5 and ended up with the 3rd or 4th most icetime among d-men each game because of top power play minutes. And that's where he's valuable - one of the best PP QBs in the game. Simply bar none, he's fantastic with the man advantage.

So he's more than just a PP specialist but I just don't see him developing his D game at this point if his career to truly be a guy a coach will trust in all situations against the oppositions best night in and night out. Part of why Shatty wanted to leave STL was reportedly he wanted a bigger role (play heavier minutes and the PK) but I think he'll struggle if a team actually gives him that type of responsibility.

One other thing I'll note is that IMO, Shatty became a lot less valuable in the playoffs than the regular season pretty much every season for the Blues. Why? Because with the increased intensity of the playoffs, Shatty's soft defensive play became a bigger disadvantage. Also, penalties are a lot harder to come by in the playoffs so with fewer PPs, that's fewer opportunities for Shatty to do what he does best.

 

[third man in]

Luckily the Caps have both Niskanen and Carlson in front of him. If needed they can give Shatty both 3rd pair minutes and 1PP time. They got him both for depth and to keep him from going to rivals. Hopefully it works out as planned.