Blues fan here: don't need McQuaid, we have right side depth already. If it's to meet cap, Blues could likely retain $ on Shatty instead.

So I'd counter with Shattenkirk (with retained salary) for Zboril and (unconditional) 1st.

How would retaining salary for the remainder of the year really help? If the Bruins re-sign Shattenkirk then they'll need some cap space. That's more of why McQuaid was traded in the deal.

I get that, but the B's would have to trade McQuaid somewhere else. The whole reason the Blues aren't re-signing Shatty is $$$, so I doubt they can afford give part of Parayko's paycheck to McQuaid for the next couple of years. It's not as friendly of a contract as Bortuzzo / Schmaltz combined.

I wouldn't worry about cap space that much during end of season. That's stuff that can be taken care of in offseason especially with Vegas coming in. Beleskey or McQuaid could be picked up to clear some cap space. Then there's around 3 million free from Liles and Moore that will free up. Also getting Hayes & K.Miller out. So signing Pasta and Shatty is doable. Would definitely go after Shattenkirk instead of Landenskog.

Marchy- Bergy- Backes
Cehlarik- Krecji- Pasta
Frankie- Spoons- Senyshyn
Czarnik- Schaller- Nash
Blindh

Krug- Shatty
Chara- Carlo
O'Gara- McAvoy
C.Miller

I'd also do the Zboril + 1st for Shattenkirk and find a new home for McQuaid (Edmonton)

Krug Shatty would get lit up, you need a Krug lovejoy or Krug P. Martin type combo for Krug to reach his potential