Shattenkirk: Stastny's "hockey IQ is unparalleled"

An NHLPA profile on St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk includes some intel on former Colorado Avalanche teammate Paul Stastny, who signed a four-year, $28 million pact with the Blues as a UFA in July.

“Where do I start?” said Shattenkirk of Stastny. “Maybe he doesn’t look sexy on the ice, but his hockey IQ is unparalleled. He can read, react and anticipate like few others can. And his defensive game is stellar, too. He’s just the type of player than makes everyone around him better.”

Shattenkirk also noted how well his team has bonded over the years.

 “The one great thing about this group is that through the disappointments, team chemistry is through the roof,” noted Shattenkirk. “It’s a very close locker room and everyone sticks together. That’s something I learned from the moment I came to St. Louis. I think the guys we’ve added will experience the same thing. We know we haven’t done what we’ve set out to accomplish. We also know that’s the one thing we’re focused on.”

Source: Chris Lomon, NHLPA.com