Armstrong said he thought the situation could work for one year.

"I would think if it extended past this season it would be (a competitive disadvantage)," Armstrong said. "Part of my comfort level is my relationship with George McPhee (the Vegas GM). We've talked extensively on the benefits of this relationship. They'll have players this year that will go to major juniors. I think quite honestly it's a competitive advantage for Vegas and us to join forces. We could put better products into the program.

"If it went past this year, it would be a disadvantage. We saw this coming. We looked at different opportunities, but for 17-18 it wasn't there. We see a really good synergy with Vegas because of their birth into the NHL."

Armstrong said the Blues have spoken with other teams about taking in Blues prospects on their farm teams if there wasn't room for all of them on the Chicago roster.

The Wolves have been the Blues' farm team since 2013-14. Prior to Chicago, the Blues had a farm team in Peoria from 2005-06 until they affiliated with Chicago, and prior to that their farm team was in Worcester, Mass.