It wasn’t a hugely exciting day for the Blues organization, but GM Doug Armstrong did sign a few players on this day of madness. By “sign,” I really mean “resign.” First the Blues signed free agent defenseman and St. Louis native, Chris Butler, to a one year deal. The deal is worth $675k and his expected role will be the Blues 7th defenseman. If that is the plan and the plan holds true, he is a very cheap depth defender. I am not a fan of his because of the inconsistencies of his play in his own end, but there are worse more expensive depth defenders around the league. I would rule this as a decent signing. He’s not terrible, just average at best.


The second and more important signing of the day was the three year contract extension signed by center Jori Lehtera. He has one more year left on his current contract of 2 years $5.5 million. After next season, his extension will kick in. The deal is worth $14.1 million over three years. His cap hit will raise from $2.75 million to $4.7 million in 2016. The Blues chose to not let his UFA status not get any closer and I believe that was a very good decision by upper management. With the more than average contracts, in dollar amounts, going to so many of the free agents today, not letting a productive player like Jori get there will be important. This deal could end up looking as good as Kevin Shattenkirk’s current contract in value in a few seasons.


In his first NHL season, Lehtera put up 14 goals and 30 assists in 75 games. He started the season strong and the STL line of Schwartz-Lehtera-Tarasenko carried the Blues offense for a big portion of the season. He has plenty of chemistry with those two and was excellent in the faceoff circle this season. He is very defensively responsible and can play up and down the lineup. His production slowed towards the end of the season. This happens with many players when they first jump to the NHL. It happened to Tarasenko also in his first full year.


Contract negotiations with Vladimir Tarasenko, according to Doug Armstrong, are ongoing and productive. He and Tarasenko’s agent, former Blue Mike Liut, have both agreed to not talk publicly about the negotiations until a deal is signed. Armstrong also reiterated that the Blues would match any offer sheet offered to Vladdy. As of now, none had been offered to him.


Former Blue Barret Jackman is headed to Nashville on a two year, $4 million dollar contract. That price was lower than I expected he would get on the open market, but it is still a little more than the Blues would have paid.


Rumors today flowed of T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk but no moves were made. I wonder if July 2nd will be more exciting here in St. Louis.

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» Random Notes and Breaking Down the Forward Lines

» More Moves on the Way?

» Positives and Negatives of the Summer Thus Far

» Blues Sign Kyle Brodziak, Oshie Traded to Caps

» On the draft, Shattenkirk rumors, Tarasenko's future