Blues GM Armstrong on trade for Gunnarsson: 'I believe the game is played now with transition'

On the second day of the 2014 NHL Draft, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong swung a deal that sent defenseman Roman Polak to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Carl Gunnarsson. 

Armstrong told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the trade was made with one purpose in mind: increased mobility on the team's blue line.

“I believe the game is played now with transition,” Armstrong said. “We think that having a puck-moving defense will add to our offense and allow our skill players the opportunity to produce. Physical defense can be shown in many different ways. What we have are smart-defending players with positional and stick play and can hold their own physically."

Despite being hindered by a nagging hip injury, Gunnarsson appeared in a career-high 80 contests and averaged almost 20 minutes a night, posting three goals, 14 assists and a plus-13 rating on a team that allowed a 26th-ranked 3.07 goals per game.

“I try to do my best,” Gunnarsson said. “I’m more of a team guy than anything. If guys can play their game when they play next to me, that’s what I’m there for. I’m not a flashy guy who shows off any super skills or anything like that. I just try to come to work every day and make everyone else better — whatever is good for the team.”

“I know (Polak) is a bigger guy than me,” Gunnarsson added. “I’m not the most physical guy, but I’m trying to move my feet and trying to be smart in my play, whether it’s defensively or offensively. I think that’s one of my strengths, just using my body in a smart way.”

It's all part of Armstrong's plan to get his team to the next level.

In regards to the hip injury, Gunnarsson underwent surgery back in April to repair a "joint that was causing some impingement"; once back at full strength, Gunnarsson believes his game will be much improved.