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Blues Sign Alexander Steen To Four-Year Contract Extension

One of the Blues’ key core members will be around for a while.

By hildymac
Chicago Blackhawks v St. Louis Blues - Game 1 Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/ Getty Images

The Blues announced today that they have come to terms with forward Alexander Steen on a four year contract extension. Steen has been a key member of the forward corps since his acquisition from the Maple Leafs in October of 2008 as part of a deal for Lee Stempniak.

Steen was due to be a UFA after this season. Instead, the cap situation gets more interesting. This is more than likely a sign that the saga of Vladimir Sobotka is over for now.

From the Blues’ official press release:

St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today that the Blues have signed forward Alexander Steen to a four-year contract extension worth $23 million.

“We are extremely excited to have Alexander signed for the next four seasons,” said Armstrong. “He has developed into one of the league’s premier 200-foot players and is a key member of our leadership group. He has shown tremendous loyalty to the Blues organization, its fans and the St. Louis community.”

Steen, 32, is entering his ninth season in St. Louis after the Blues acquired him via trade from Toronto on Nov. 24, 2008. In 2015-16, the 6’0, 205-pound forward dressed in 67 regular season games, ranking second on the Blues with 35 assists and 52 points, and fifth with 17 goals. During the 2016 postseason, Steen led the Blues to their first trip to the Western Conference Final in 15 years, posting 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 20 appearances.

For his Blues career, Steen has appeared in 493 regular season games and ranks 11th in club history with 355 points (147 goals, 208 assists). Steen’s best offensive seasons in recent years as he logged a career-high 33 goals in 2013-14 and 64 points in 2014-15. He has developed into one of the NHL’s most versatile two-way forwards, averaging over a minute-and-a-half of shorthanded ice time and two-and-a-half minutes of power play ice time per game, while recording a +54 rating since joining the club.

Overall, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native is a veteran of 11 NHL seasons. Originally drafted 24th overall by Toronto in 2002, Steen has dressed in 746 career regular season games, accumulating 482 points, including 197 goals and 284 assists. His postseason career has yielded 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 51 games.