Report: Blues 'open-minded' about trading core players like Backes, Oshie, Berglund

The St. Louis Blues may not be standing pat after all.

General manager Doug Armstrong could still be mulling over some sort of shakeup involving the roster, as reported by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:

But if there's a deal out there that makes sense, word from rival executives is that the Blues are more open-minded than ever to move one of their long-standing core guys, whether that's David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund or other veterans.

It's a delicate proposition in the sense that the Blues, by bringing back head coach Ken Hitchcock for one more season, are signaling that they're taking another run at it and why oddsmakers have listed them as a top-five contender for next season. But in a perfect world, the Blues would like to return with a new face or two among their core.

Backes, the captain, has one year left on his deal, while Oshie and Berglund are signed through 2016-17. These three rank as the team's third, fourth, and fifth highest-paid players.

They were all also outscored by younger players like Vladimir Tarasenko, Alexander Steen, and Jaden Schwartz, all of whom - along with Paul Stastny - the Blues are relying on more and more.

The caveat here is that any trade made by Armstrong will be made with a view to improving his team, and not for the sake of appeasing the fan base or sending a message to the rest of the roster.

Still, he's apparently willing to listen and open to making a move.