Blues Free Agency 2022: C Thomas’ 8-Years, Veteran D Leddy Returns for 4 More Years
By Andy Knapp
The St. Louis Blues extended two different contracts as free agency opened. First, center Robert Thomas was given 8 more years, with a $65 million agreement.
That will keep Thomas in the Lou until at least 2030-31. Thomas’ previous contract was set to expire after this upcoming season, which then would have made him a restricted free agent by the end of the 2022-23 season.
Thomas has spent all 4 years of his young NHL career with the Blues. This extension will keep him with St. Louis potentially for 12 total years.
The 23-year-old Thomas had a stellar season for the Blues in 2021-22, recording a career-high 77 points in 72 games played. He also tallied 57 assists and 20 goals on the year for St. Louis.
Thomas’ new contract marks the most expensive deal in Blues franchise history. St. Louis already had many other key players under current contracts this past season, including but not limited to Robert Bortuzzo, Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Calle Rosen, and Marco Scandella.
Meanwhile, a pair of defensemen, Niko Mikkola and Scott Perunovich are now eligible to become RFAs this summer. Rumors say the team still intends to sign them, but there was no movement as of mid-day.
Nick Leddy, St. Louis’ other contract extension, started his career with Minnesota in 2009 after being drafted by the Wild but never played for them. He ended up spending the next 4 years with the Chicago Blackhawks once getting into the NHL.
He then spent 7 years with the New York Islanders from 2014-2021 before spending half a year with Detroit and St. Louis, which just happened to be last season. Leddy’s new contract with St. Louis keeps him in the Gateway City until at least 2025-26.
It is worth a total of $16 million dollars and Leddy gets to stay in St. Louis under his new contract for 4 more years after spending some time with St. Louis a bit last season. At age 31, Leddy will be 35 when his new contract expires after the 2025-26 season. He made $5.5 million on his previous contract, so he was expected to take a slight pay cut for his newer contract.
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Leddy’s importance showcases the fact that the Blues went 15-4-1 last season after acquiring Leddy at the trade deadline during the 2020-21 season trade deadline. His puck-moving ability and overall savvy play helped steady the Blues’ defense.