Veteran of 1100 games nearly placed on waivers by his team.

A rather stunning report has revealed some rather surprising information that may speak to just how bad things are currently in St. Louis.

Of course all of our readers will already be well aware of the fact that the Blues have struggled mightily this season and although they have managed to remain within striking distance of a playoff spot it is widely believed that they will once again miss the National Hockey League's post season. The Blues have been linked to a number of trade rumors this season, rumors that include their top offensive players in Vladimir Tarasenko and Brayden Schenn as well as their captain Alex Pietrangelo, but those are apparently not even close to the shocking moves the Blues have contemplated this season.

In an article published earlier this week Sportsnet's National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman made a rather shocking revelation when he touched on a rumor involving long time Blues veteran Jay Bouwmeester, one of the most well respected defensemen in the league today. According to Friedman the Blues and general manager Doug Armstrong seriously contemplated putting the 35 year old with over 1100 NHL games on the waiver wire, presumably in an effort to send him down to the minors.

From Friedman:

Speaking of the Blues, there were rumours earlier this season that Jay Bouwmeester might be put on waivers. He was battling to get back from hip surgery and really struggling. His minutes fluctuate quite a bit: In his first 20 games he didn’t play a ton, but in the next 12 his low was 19:27. After that he was held down for four, then ramped up in the last five. He’s a rental, and he’s been playing better, although there are physical limitations. I’ve heard a few teams have watched him to see if he’s a fit.

The issue here of course is that I simply do not believe that the Blues believed for even a second that Bouwmeester would clear the process, even with his cap hit of $5.4 million per season. If I am correct this would have been a way for the Blues to unload that cap hit in the final year of Bouwmeester's contract, a contract that comes with a no trade clause. Perhaps that no trade in Bouwmeester's contract also played a role in the Blues desire to potentially waive the solid blue liner. If Bouwmeester has blocked attempts from Armstrong to orchestrate a trade involving him the general manager could have simply decided that he would be better off cutting his losses.

As Friedman mentions it seems like the Blues are still looking for a potential fit and you have to wonder if one does not emerge what the Blues might do with Bouwmeester moving forward.