Blues GM hints Shattenkirk off trade market

Kevin Shattenkirk might remain with the St. Louis Blues after all.

For the time being, at least.

Shattenkirk was reportedly on the trading block heading into the final year of his contract, and even said he hoped the club traded him "sooner than later" as rumors swirled around the NHL draft.

Now, and despite not listing Shattenkirk among the Blues' core players earlier in the offseason, general manager Doug Armstrong is planning to start the season with the top-pair defenseman on the roster.

"That sort of grew a life of its own at the draft," Armstrong told ESPN's Craig Custance of ESPN (subscription only) of the trade talk. "He's a Blue and we're excited to have him and expect him to have a good year."

Armstrong further clarified he means a good year in St. Louis.

Shattenkirk will bring in $5.2 million in actual salary this season while carrying a cap hit of $4.25 million. The 27-year-old is averaging 0.63 points per game over the past three seasons, and will likely command heavy attention should he hit unrestricted free agency next summer.

So while Shattenkirk appears set to attend training camp and be featured on the opening-night roster, whether he's a Blue long term remains to be seen.