By Andrew Allsman| Posted: March 30, 2013| Contact |
With the trade deadline only four days away, the Blues added
much needed defensive depth on Saturday. The Blues announced Saturday afternoon
that they had acquired Jordan Leopold from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a
2013 second-round draft pick, as well as a conditional 2013 fifth-round pick.
The condition of the fifth round pick is that if Blues win a playoff round
their fifth round pick turns into a fourth rounder for Buffalo.
“(Leopold) provides us with stability and experience back
there. He’s touched every aspect of Buffalo’s game. He’s second on their team
in ice time among defensemen. He’s third in penalty killing for their defense,
and second for power-play time on defense. He’s a guy that is going to come in
here and give us good steady (play) on our back-end.”
Leopold,
32, had been rumored to be on the Sabres' trade block and fits the Blues' need
for a puck moving left-handed defenseman to play alongside Alex Pietrangelo or
Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues feel that Leopold will be a good fit with
one of those two young defensemen.
“The one thing that this season has shown is that (Barret)
Jackman has good chemistry with Alex (Pietrangelo) or with (Kevin)
Shattenkirk,” said Armstrong. “Recently, I like the pairing of Kris Russell and
Roman Polak and I think the coaches do as well. I think Jordan is going to get
an opportunity to play with one of the two other guys. Obviously Ken Hitchcock
and Brad Shaw will make that decision but it gives us a little bit more
flexibility and we will find out where the proper chemistry is.”
The 206-pound defenseman has accumulated 65 goals and 137
assists over ten National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the Calgary Flames,
Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres.
Leopold also brings playoff experience with him to St. Louis,
something that will be an asset to the Blues should they make the postseason.
He has appeared in 59 playoff games in his career, accumulating 16 points (16
assists).
The veteran defenseman is currently in the final year of his
three-year, $9 million contract. If the Blues determine that Leopold is a solid
fit for their organization, they will certainly be open to re-signing him.
“The beauty of this is we will get a good look at him and he
will get a good look at us and see if there is a fit,” said Armstrong. “We are
hoping he comes in and plays well and finds chemistry. He’s a 1980 birth date,
so he certainly has some miles left on the tires. If it’s a good fit it’s
something we can certainly look at.”
In addition to acquiring Leopold, the Blues have sent goaltender
Jake Allen to Peoria. Goaltender Brian Elliott is expected to return to the
Blues on Saturday after he wraps up his short conditioning assignment in
Peoria. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Elliott will partner with Jaroslav
Halak for the remainder of the season.
According to Armstrong, the Blues will carry eight
defensemen for the remainder of the season but with the trade deadline looming
on Wednesday, there’s still time for general manager Doug Armstrong to try to
improve his club.
“You are always looking and the phones aren’t going to stop
ringing until Wednesday, he said. “We feel a lot stronger and we feel our depth
is much more improved at 3 o’clock today than it was at 3’oclock yesterday.”