NHL Rumors: Capitals Acquire Kevin Shattenkirk From Blues In Bold Trade

The Washington Capitals are all in.

After coming up short of the Stanley Cup Final in every season since drafting superstar forward and captain Alex Ovechkin in 2003, the Caps made a bold trade Monday by acquiring St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.

Shattenkirk will be traded to the Washington Capitals, per multiple league sources. #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) February 28, 2017

Here’s what the Blues will receive.

As @Real_ESPNLeBrun reported, it's 2017 1st rder, cond'l 2018 2nd rder, Zach Sanford to STL for Kevin Shattenkirk. STL retains some salary.

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 28, 2017

Shattenkirk arguably was the top player available before Wednesday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline. He has tallied 42 points (11 goals, 31 assists) in 61 games this season.

He will be an unrestricted free agent if unsigned by July 1 and could command $6.5 million or more per season in his next contract. The Capitals have several important players who will be UFAs or RFAs after the season, so this might be their best chance to win a championship for a while.

The Blues had no choice but to trade Shattenkirk. It didn’t appear he wanted to re-sign long-term with the club, and this way St. Louis acquires some assets in return for him instead of letting him walk for nothing as a free agent.