Blues add defenseman Bortuzzo, forward Jokinen just before trade deadline
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues' dealings continued with a pair of trades just before the official deadline at 2 p.m. CT.
St. Louis picked up Pittsburgh defenseman Rob Bortuzzo and a 2016 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for defenseman Ian Cole, and also sent young forward Joakim Lindstrom and a conditional 2016 sixth-round pick to Toronto for veteran Olli Jokinen.
Bortuzzo adds a physical element the Blues' defense has been lacking all season, though he likely won't provide much in the way of offense. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Ontario native has just four goals and 16 assists in 113 career games, compared with nine goals and 22 assists in 167 games for Ian Cole.
Jokinen has already played for two teams this season, including 48 games with Central Division rival Nashville. The 36-year-old added three goals to his career total of 320 and should also provide some additional toughness to St. Louis.
Meanwhile, Joakim Lindstrom hadn't played in 11 games dating to Feb. 6, and he hadn't tallied a point since he had three assists Dec. 6 at the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Swede scored just three goals in 34 games, two of which came on a late five-minute power play against last-place Buffalo in November.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
