NHL Free Agency: Grading the St. Louis Blues’ signings

Blues sign Patrick Maroon for cheap

To cap off their flurry of free agency moves, the St. Louis Blues signed Missouri native Patrick Maroon to a ridiculously cheap one year, $1.75 million contact, filling the last offensive hole the team had before going into free agency.

Getting Maroon for that cheap is a stroke of brilliance from Doug Armstrong. Even though Maroon might not be a player to really move the needle, it gives the Blues enough depth on offense to compete not only for a playoff spot this year but perhaps for a deep playoff run as well.

Coming off a 27-goal and 42-point season, Maroon started the 57 games of the season with the Edmonton Oilers and recorded 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points before being dealt at the trade deadline in February to the New Jersey Devils. Maroon was instrumental in helping the Devils secure a playoff spot with three goals and ten assists for 13 points in the final 17 games of the season, combining for a career high 43 points in one season.

Maroon will likely slot in on the second or third line beside either one of Brayden Schenn or Tyler Bozak. It’ll be an obvious downgrade from playing with Connor McDavid, but it’s still reasonable to expect that Maroon can post upwards of 30 points.

Maroon did undergo surgery to a repair a herniated disk in his back in May, but it should not affect his availability when training camp starts.

It’s not the sexiest signing, but there is almost nothing wrong with the signing for the Blues. They now have one of the most solid top nine forward groups in the league after signing Maroon, and they still have the cap room in order to sign their remaining restricted free agents. Even if he turns out to be a total dud in St. Louis, guess what? It’s only a one year contract. If he turns out to be a stud, even better, and they can sign him to longer term. Well done, Armstrong

Grade: B+