St. Louis Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson has been awarded a one-year, $3.1-million contract in arbitration, the team announced Tuesday.

"We are glad to have Joel under contract next season," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "He is an important part of our defensive unit and we are looking forward to another successful year."

Edmundson asked for $4.2 million in arbitration while the Blues countered with $2.3 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

The walkaway minimum in 2019 is set at $4,397,832, according to CapFriendly, meaning St. Louis was obligated to honor the contract awarded by the arbitrator.

Edmundson, 26, appeared in 64 regular-season games for the Blues in 2018-19, notching 11 points while averaging 19:23 per night. He added seven points in 22 postseason contests as St. Louis marched to its first Stanley Cup title in franchise history.

With Edmundson's situation resolved, the Blues now have $1.97 million in remaining cap space to sign restricted free agent Ivan Barbashev.

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The Minnesota Wild interviewed Don Waddell for their vacant general manager position on Monday, sources told The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Waddell is currently the Carolina Hurricanes' GM, president, and alternate governor. His contract with Carolina expired June 30, technically making him a free agent, but Waddell said in May he'd be back with the Hurricanes next season as he and owner Tom Dundon work toward a mutual agreement on a new deal.

Last season marked Waddell's first season as Hurricanes GM, but he ran the business side of the organization for the previous five years. The 60-year-old also has career experience as a scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and as GM with the Atlanta Thrashers from 1998-2010.

His first year at the helm in Carolina was an enormous success, as the club snapped a 10-year playoff drought and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Final - a big factor in Waddell being named a finalist for NHL General Manager of the Year.

Coincidentally, one of Waddell's biggest moves last season came at the expense of the Wild, who shipped a misused Nino Niederreiter to the Hurricanes in exchange for Victor Rask. Niederreiter hit his stride in Raleigh, bagging 30 points in 36 games, while Rask mustered a measly three points in 23 contests with Minnesota.

The Wild have also interviewed Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin, and have reportedly reached out to a number of other candidates in their search for a new leader, including Tom Fitzgerald, Chris Drury, Mark Hunter, Bill Zito, Basil McRae, Mike Futa and Sean Burke, according to Russo.

Minnesota fired former GM Paul Fenton last week after one season in charge.

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The Minnesota Wild have been granted permission to interview the Pittsburgh Penguins' Bill Guerin about their general manager position, sources told The Athletic's Michael Russo.

Guerin was hired as the Penguins' player development coach in 2011 but was promoted to assistant GM to Jim Rutherford in 2014. The club has won two Stanley Cups during the former winger's time in its front office.

The Wild have also been granted permission to speak with Montreal Canadiens assistant GM Scott Mellanby, according to Russo.

Peter Chiarelli and Ron Hextall have reportedly already had preliminary interviews with Minnesota, but the Wild are casting a wide net for potential candidates to fill their GM vacancy. According to Russo's report, the team may show or already has shown interest in Tom Fitzgerald, Chris Drury, Mark Hunter, Bill Zito, Basil McRae, Mike Futa, and Sean Burke for the job.

Minnesota fired former GM Paul Fenton on Tuesday after just one season at the helm.

The Wild finished last in the Central Division in 2018-19 with a 37-36-9 record. It marked the first time the club has missed the playoffs in six seasons.

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It's safe to say Kevin Shattenkirk isn't thrilled about the way his tenure with the New York Rangers ended.

"I was pretty pissed off about it," Shattenkirk said, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.

"I think I'm pissed off at myself for not taking advantage of the opportunity to play at home better and give them a reason to make it a no-brainer that this wouldn't be their decision," he added.

The Rangers bought out Shattenkirk last week with two years and $12.6 million remaining on a deal he signed in 2017. The 30-year-old defenseman inked a one-year, $1.75-million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

Shattenkirk - one of the top free agents available in the summer of 2017 - left money on the table to sign with his hometown Rangers. He hails from nearby New Rochelle, N.Y.

Over his two seasons in the Big Apple, Shattenkirk missed significant time due to both a torn meniscus and a separated shoulder. All told, he appeared in 119 games for New York, registering 51 points.

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The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the signing of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year, $1.75-million contract on Monday.

The New York Rangers bought out Shattenkirk last Thursday after he spent two seasons with the club.

The 30-year-old recorded 28 points in 73 games with New York this past season after producing 23 points over 46 contests during his first campaign with the Rangers in 2017-18.

Once a productive offensive defenseman and power-play quarterback, Shattenkirk will now hope to revitalize his career as part of the Lightning's prolific offense. He'll join Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, and Mikhail Sergachev, among others, on the team's blue line.

The signing brings yet another former Ranger to Tampa Bay, a common occurrence in recent years. McDonagh is the only notable example remaining on the roster, but Dan Girardi, Anton Stralman, J.T. Miller, and Ryan Callahan contributed to the club's success over the last handful of seasons.

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