Blues send three players to AHL, release Porter and Nystrom

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues are continuing to cut down their roster ahead of the regular season with the team sending three players to their AHL affiliate and releasing two others. 

On Monday, the Blues announced defensemen Tommy Vannelli and Chris Butler as well as goaltender Pheonix Copley would be sent down to the Chicago Wolves. 

The Blues also released forwards Eric Nystrom and Chris Porter from their professional tryouts. The 33-year-old Nystrom joined the Blues for tryouts after spending the last three years with the Nashville Predators. Last season, Nystrom recorded seven goals and no assists in 46 games for the Predators. 

Porter, 32, spent last year with the Minnesota Wild after previously spending six years with the Blues. He scored four goals and recorded three assists in 61 games for the Wild. 

The Blues training camp roster now sits at 36 players.