The Blues have neither the need nor the cap for that trade right now, but might jump all over it come summer.

hes 1.5 mil. very easy to manage that

Okay, I'll bite. How do they do that?

The Jackets' prospect pool needs quality, not quantity, so I wouldn't expect a trade down unless Kekalainen is convinced he can get his guy later.

Blues can take Mayfield on if they send Bortuzzo back - I think the rest of the deal could stay the same, Isles would still jump on it since Bortuzzo is a UFA.

Mayfield is cost certainty on the 3rd pair for STL in a year when they have Perunovich, Mikkola, and Walman as potential RFAs. I haven't followed them too closely but I get the sense that the fanbase is ready to move on from Scandella, and this would give them cover to do it.

probably just send down Scandella or Bortuzzo. I also dont know 100% how it works but cap can accumulate over time which will give them a bit more post-tdl

Yeah but these solid blueliners are going for quite a bit over the past few years