Washington Capitals acquire D Kevin Shattenkirk from St. Louis Blues

The Washington Capitals mortgaged some of their future to boost their current chances, acquiring defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues on Monday.

The Blues received a 2017 first-round pick, a conditional second-round pick, rookie forward Zach Sanford and journeyman forward Brad Malone for Shattenkirk and goalie Pheonix Copley. TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that St. Louis will pick up a portion of Shattenkirk's remaining salary.

Washington doesn't have a second-round pick this year or next year.

Shattenkirk, 28, led the Blues with 31 assists and ranked second on the team with 42 points. He will be a free agent after the season.

"We are excited to welcome Kevin to our organization," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. "We felt it was important to acquire another defenseman to strengthen and add depth to our blue line. Kevin is a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who we think will help our team at even strength and on the power play."

The Blues reportedly agreed to deal Shattenkirk to the Lightning earlier this month, but when the defenseman declined Tampa Bay's offer of a seven-year, $42 million contract, the trade fell apart, according to McKenzie and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford.

A similar deal with Edmonton also was aborted when Shattenkirk couldn't come to terms with the Oilers, Rutherford reported.

A first-round pick of the Avalanche in 2007, Shattenkirk broke into the NHL with Colorado in 2010-11 before moving to the Blues later that season.

In seven NHL seasons (471 games), Shattenkirk has 66 goals and 218 assists. He is a plus-13 for his career.

Sanford, 22, made his NHL debut with the Capitals this season. The 2013 second-round pick has two goals and one assist in 26 games with Washington. In 25 games with AHL Hershey, the Boston College product has 11 goals and five assists.

Malone, 27, previously played with the Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 13 goals and 17 assists in 176 career NHL games. He has seven goals and 13 assists in 52 games with AHL Hershey this season.

Copley, 25, appeared in one game last season with St. Louis and one this season, going a combined 0-1-0 with a 4.34 goals-against average. He is 15-6-3 with one shutout, a 2.31 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage for the AHL Chicago Wolves this season.