"Nearly shut out in their attempt to trade for NHL-ready players at the draft, the Blues will resume their search Friday when the league's free-agency window opens.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had indicated that the club's first opportunity to shore up the roster was at last week's draft, packaging picks for "complementary" players. But other than trading a third-round pick to the New York Rangers for forward Evgeny Grachev, a player who could push for a roster spot, the phones stayed on the hook.

"The draft this year, for some reason, was quiet as far as trade talk," Armstrong said. "There were some big contracts moved, but not a lot of hockey trades."

Grachev, 21, is a 6-foot-4, 225-pound left winger who was New York's third-round pick in 2008. The Rangers had high expectations for him, but reports said they had soured on the Russian over the past year. He scored 16 goals and had 22 assists in 73 games last season in the AHL but went pointless in eight NHL games. Recently, Grachev requested a trade, and the Blues were the only team interested.

"He's a player that we think can come in and compete for an opening-night spot," Armstrong said. "He's got pro experience now, he's got size, he's got raw attributes. Now he has to put that together and impress the coaches. But he'll be given every opportunity."

Even with Grachev, the Blues have at least one other opening at forward, perhaps two if Matt D'Agostini leaves as a free agent, and they are still looking to add one defenseman and possibly a backup goaltender. So while the club won't be signing any big-name free agents, Armstrong does have some work ahead this week."