Doug Armstrong and the St. Louis Blues just agreed to a contract extension with depth forward Nathan Walker.
This move signals corresponding changes for the 4th line and the roster as a whole. What are the most important aftereffects of the Nathan Walker extension?
Identity hockey: An extension well-earned
Doug Armstrong spoke about the importance of a player like Walker in the infamous "W-T-F" line last season. Walker always announced his presence early and often on the ice, serving as the team's enforcer despite his 5'9" size.
Walker's style of play meshes exactly with what Doug Armstrong and Jim Montgomery are trying to build in St. Louis. His level of compete and energy cannot be coached, and the grit he plays with is integral to his impact on the ice.
They rewarded his franchise record season hits total earlier today with an extension, setting Walker up to continue to serve as an important part of the 4th line for the future to come.
This, however, does guarantee one more roster spot for the next two seasons, meaning there could be some names headed out the door in St. Louis pretty soon.
4th line playing time
Walker's contract extension would lead one to assume that they like having him on the ice as an enforcer in an everyday role, meaning the 4th line now has one spot locked up. Where does this leave the other depth pieces vying for time on the roster?
Names like Oskar Sundqvist, Alexey Toropchenko, and Nick Bjugstad all seem to have established roles with the team or are promised playing time as part of the roster in Bjugstad's case. Torpo was an important third of the 4th line last season, and Sunny seems to be the de facto center. However, the addition of Bjugstad could give Sunny a run for his money if he plays down on the 4th line instead of as a winger on the third.
Beyond these three names, guys like Mathieu Joseph, Alexandre Texier, and Milan Lucic all find themselves on the outside looking in for ice time. Joseph and Texier have already had some run with the team and are familiar with Jim Montgomery, meaning they don't have a lot left to prove and really have to fight to earn their minutes. Lucic is a new addition, so he might get some looks as a tryout, but then again, he was only signed to a PTO, meaning nothing is guaranteed with the guy, and he might get phased out early.
Finally, the depth chart becomes further complicated with the names of young and upcoming prospects. Dalibor Dvorsky and Justin Carbonneau both have a good chance to make the roster at some point this season, and their additions make the calculus of the 4th line even more complicated, since they clearly have the most upside.
Personally, I like the signing of Walker. I think what he brings cannot be replaced so easily for such a replaceable position, and guaranteeing him playing time will help the Blues maintain their identity on the ice as a physical, smashing team that sucks to play against.
Beyond Walker, I see Bjugstad getting the nod as the 4C over Sunny. I think Bjugstad has more to offer offensively, and as a new free agent addition, one would think he'd be finding the ice in some way.
And finally, I'd give that last spot to either Toropchenko or Carbonneau if he can earn it. I think by year's end, if Torpo doesn't take a step and Carbonneau continues to impress, the roster spot is his, and I'd expect him not to look back.
Either way, one thing is for certain: the Blues have depth. Maybe an embarrassment of riches at the bottom of the roster, so I'd expect Doug Armstrong to have a trick or two left up his sleeve before he turns the keys over to Alex Steen, but the Nathan Walker extension has further solidified the 4th line and complicated the calculus of the St. Louis Blues.