Chris Stewart Trade Rumors

Chris Stewart of the St Louis Blues is the subject of rampant trade speculation for the 2013 NHL offseason. The Blues signing of Derek Roy sets their payroll at $56.4 million, leaving them $8 million to re-sign Alex Pietrangelo, Chris Stewart and Jake Allen.

Stewart is big, gritty and fast. In the 2011-12 season, he tallied 30 points. In 2012-13, he scored 36 points in 48 games. He was a non-factor in the playoffs. The 25 year old right winger is entering his prime and is coming off a contract with a $3 million cap hit. The restricted free agent is seeking a 6-7 year deal with a cap hit of $5.5 million per season.

The Blues' hands are tied because they have to re-sign their number one defenseman, Alex Pietrengelo to a $7 million cap hit contract that takes up most of their remaining cap space. GM Armstrong says, "If need be, we have very valuable pieces — if we have to move players, that’s not going to be an issue finding a home for them.” Look for the St Louis Blues to trade Chris Stewart for draft picks.