Blues Trade Assist Leader Oates to Bruins

One of the NHL’s highest-scoring lines was dismantled Friday when the St. Louis Blues traded All-Star center Adam Oates to the Boston Bruins for center Craig Janney and defenseman Stephane Quintal.

Oates, 29, who has a league-leading 59 assists, centered the line that included the league’s leading goal scorer, Brett Hull. Oates, who has 10 goals in 54 games, was involved in a salary dispute with the Blues.

Janney, in his fourth season with the Bruins, has 12 goals and 39 assists in 53 games. Quintal has four goals and 10 assists in 49 games.

“It became more and more obvious that things were not going to work out for (Adam) here,” Blues Coach Brian Sutter said. “It’s been worrying the team since the first of the year. It affects the players.”