I know, I know. It is blasphemous to compare anything in St. Louis to the New England Patriots. Nevertheless, the St. Louis Blues and six-time Super Bowl champions have done things in a similar manner and it seems to have been beneficial for both.
The most recent example of the Blues cutting ties, outside of a trade, is letting former captain David Backes go. At the time, it was a controversial decision.
Many people thought the Blues should have paid their captain for time served. The Blues were just coming off a trip to the Western Conference Final after all.