Capitals Acquire Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk From Blues

The Washington Capitals bolstered their hopes of reaching this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs by acquiring top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk in a trade with the St. Louis Blues late Monday.

Capitals Get Kevin Shattenkirk In Trade With Blues

The Capitals (41-13-7, 1st in Metropolitan Division) own the NHL’s best record, and lead the league in goals-against average (2.10). Washington is also tied for second in goals per game (3.31). As part of the Shattenkirk deal, they relinquished a first-round pick in 2017, a conditional second and prospect Zach Sanford. 

The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are among the other teams who were hoping to land Shattenkirk before the trade deadline, which is this Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.

The Blues also received minor leaguer Brad Malone in the swap, while the Capitals got a fellow AHL player in goaltender Pheonix Copley.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jeremy Rutherford, the conditional second-round might come in 2019. The full conditions are complex, so there remain many more specific factors that could net more picks for the Blues.

The Capitals– who have never won a Stanley Cup– finished first overall last season and then lost to the NHL champion Penguins in the second round.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Blues retained 39 percent of Shattenkirk’s salary in the deal.

Almost exactly one year ago, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he believed the team has a two-year window to win a title, or at least as their best chance to win it all.

ST LOUIS, MO – MAY 23: Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the St. Louis Blues skates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 23, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)