Fox Sports Midwest and longtime Blues reporter Andy Strickland joined The Hollywood Casino Press Box on Monday to give his thoughts on the Blues’ trading Brian Elliott and the unprecedented five St. Louis natives drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft.

Read some excerpts and listen to the whole interview below (starts about the 5:30 mark).

Do you think the Blues got enough in return from Calgary for trading Brian Elliott?

“It didn’t shock me. I know the agent of Elliott and Doug Armstrong talked after the season. Brian Elliott…asked for a trade (if the Blues could find a good fit for him that made sense for the organization). There’s an old saying in hockey that if you have two goaltenders, who you no goaltenders. Jake Allen is the goaltender of the future. I know Brian Elliott was the hot story (in the playoffs). But at some point you have to turn it over to one guy. I don’t think Elliott wanted to share the net, he wanted the opportunity to be a No. 1. Both guys want to play moving forward and obviously this was the best fit (both for the Blues and Brian Elliott). I’d imagine Elliott is pretty happy right now.”

Were you surprised Kevin Shattenkirk wasn’t traded during the NHL Draft?

“I’m a little more surprised on this one. I’m surprised the Blues weren’t able to get what they wanted for Shattenkirk. The Blues wanted a first-round pick along with a high-level prospect. But the Blues couldn’t get a first round pick in return for Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk gave the Blues a list of four teams he’d sign an extension with, which kind of handcuffs Doug Armstrong a bit…because teams are not going to give up the asking price when you consider Kevin Shattenkirk has one year left on his contract and might not resign with you. They’re not going to give Shattenkirk away.”

What’s your gut feeling on whether T. Brouwer or D. Backes will be back with the Blues?

“I know the Blues are still trying to sign both of them…Both players have rejected those. You have a negotiating window that’s open right now, where they’re able to talk to other teams and see what your market value is. I think this is the time both players kind of field talks with other teams to get an idea if they can get what they believe they’re capable of getting. I think the Blues have an idea of how high they’re willing to go. I don’t think the Blues leave without getting one of those two players, if not both. Gut feeling…I’ll go ahead and (say there’s a better chance of Backes staying with the Blues than Brouwer.”

What was it like to be at the NHL Draft in Buffalo and seeing five St. Louis area kids get drafted in the first round?

“It was really incredible. I’ve been going to the NHL Draft for close to 20 years. This was by far the best draft I ever attended. There were so many St. Louisans there. This was really a celebration of St. Louis hockey and a celebration of these kids and their families. That became the theme of the draft, the explosion of the St. Louis market. To see five players taken in the first 29 players in the world…it’s just an incredible story.”