St. Louis Blues Salary: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

How much does it cost to ice a truly good St. Louis Blues team? To regularly be one of the top talents in the Western Conference?

The answer is about $70 million in salary.

The Good

Vladimir Tarasenko was recently handed an eight year contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. Some might say that this is a lot of money given to a young player who has only had one huge season, and is still unproven. Others might say that Tarasenko has been playing at this tempo for a while and only recently was given the space to break out. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, putting up 73 points in 77 games this past season.

Regardless, it is a lot of money for a 23-year-old hockey player, but here’s why it’s a great contract.

In the upcoming 2015-2016 season, Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane will account for $21 million (10.5 each) combined against the Chicago Blackhawks salary cap. And with superstar players like Steven Stamkos, Jamie Benn, John Tavares, and Anze Kopitar all approaching contract extensions in the near future, expect the cost for an NHL superstar to continue rising.

If Tarasenko can put up comparable statistics to his 2014-2015 campaign, in a few short years his contract will end up being a huge bargain compared to the cost for other NHL superstars. Rest easy Blues fans, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to Vladimir Tarasenko and his shiny, new contract.

The Bad

Jay Bouwmeester did not have a good season in 2014-2015, the 31 year old recorded 13 points in 72 games. Now while he is expected to bounce back this year, $5.4 million against the salary cap for the next four years doesn’t look great.

Around the league, 30+ year old veteran defensemen such as Jason Garrison, Brayden Coburn, Dan Hamhuis, Zbynek Michalek, all make under $5 million a season. One could argue that Bouwmeester plays a bigger role for the Blues and that’s why he makes a bit more, but for how much longer?

Next: Jay Bouwmeester Will Bounce Back

Bouwmeester may make too much for his contributions going forward in his years of decline, but he is still a serviceable player with a lot of value in veteran leadership on the Blues young blue line. The contract may be bad in hindsight, but it was the cost of the player at the time there was a chance to get him, and I’m glad he’s a Blue and has been a Blue.

Sometimes you pay what you have to in order to get the player (such as Paul Stastny) even if it’s not the best deal a couple years down the line.

Bouwmeester has had an important role shepherding Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk into the stud defenseman they are today.

Having said that, Bouwmeester’s role on the team will continue to diminish as his age continues to climb. I don’t see the Blues hanging onto him through the rest of his contract, which is lasts until 2018. Bouwmeester will likely be traded within the next year or so to get that salary off the books, and making room for younger incoming Blues defensive prospects, with Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk as veteran leaders of a new defensive corps.

While it may be a bad contract at this stage of the deal, it is still manageable. There are teams like the Philadelphia Flyers who have way more money tied to way worse defensemen.

The Ugly

Steve Ott isn’t the most likable player in the NHL according to players and fans alike, and as far as St. Louis goes, his contract isn’t the most likable either. Otter makes $2.6 million against the Blues salary cap, with one year left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Ott is a 32-year-old bottom-six agitator who is most definitely not going to see any time away from the fourth line, given the Blues forward depth. It’s not that Ott isn’t a top-notch asset when it comes to pissing off the opposition and engaging in fisticuffs, but his cost makes this deal ugly.

The agitator/enforcer is a role that many believe is close to being phased out, and while I agree with the Blues in believing this type of player is still worth employing, his price tag doesn’t justify anything. Other players comparable to Ott around the league come at a lower cost. Players like Dan Carcillo, John Scott, Jordin Tootoo, and Zac Rinaldo all make less than $1 million a season.

None of these players are known for putting the puck in the net, but at least they get paid that way. Ott had 12 points in 78 games last season, Carcillo had 8 points in 39 games, Rinaldo had 6 in 58 games, Tootoo had 15 in 68 games. Is that extra money against the cap worth the couple extra points and games we get from Ott than the other comparable players in the league?

Although it won’t likely be the case after this season, Steve Ott currently makes more money annually than Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz last season was apart of the second most productive line in the NHL, and will likely continue that offensive success this year.

I, for one, am a fan of Ott’s time on the team and his role going forward, but for that price and other available options in free agency, it’s the worst contract on the Blues salary.

Next: Blues Rumor: Shattenkirk To Penguins

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