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NHL Free Agency: Jaden Schwartz signs five-year deal with St. Louis Blues

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 16, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) skates against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Stars 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jaden Schwartz has avoided arbitration by signing a five-year deal worth $26.75 million with the St. Louis Blues.

After losing captain David Backes, the St. Louis Blues needed to lock up restricted free agent Jaden Schwartz long-term. Any doubt that the Blues weren’t going to sign him long-term evaporated when Backes signed with the Boston Bruins. The Blues have announced that Schwartz has signed a five-year deal with the Blues worth $26.75 million. Schwartz will have a $5.35 million cap hit through the 2020-21 season.

"“Schwartz and (Vladimir) Tarasenko, Robby Fabbri, Colton Parayko, Alex Pietrangelo, Jake Allen – we’re trying to build around these guys,” said Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, via NHL.com. “Having Schwartz wrapped up in that group, we know we now have a core that we can build around and try to win a championship around.”"

Keeping Schwartz should keep the Blues Stanley Cup window wide open even after the departures of Backes and Troy Brouwer. Schwartz has the 16th highest average annual value among all left wings. Injuries caused Schwartz to miss 49 games last season, but he still had 22 points and eight goals in 33 games. In 240 career games, Schwartz has 70 goals and 157 points. He added four goals and 10 assists for 14 points during the Blues’ playoff run to the Western Conference Finals.

Schwartz keeps the strong young core of the Blues together. Moving forward, Tarasenko, Steen, and Schwartz should form the new core of the Blues and give them a strong chance of winning every year.

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