By Andrew Allsman| Posted: December 18, 2013| Contact |
The Blues announced on Wednesday afternoon that forward
Alexander Steen had agreed to a three-year contract extension with the club.
According to the club, Steen’s new deal is worth $17.4
million over the length of the deal ($5.8 million annually). Elliotte Friedman
reported that Steen’s deal does include a no-trade clause.
Steen, 29, was set to become an unrestricted free agent
after this season and would have drawn interest from all around the National
Hockey League had he hit the market. Steen’s camp had said that the forward was
against negotiating a new deal in-season, but Steen must have had a change of
heart.
The Winnipeg native is having a career season and is leading
the Blues in goals (22) and points (36). Steen’s 22 goals are also tied for
second in the League, behind Washington’s Alex Ovechkin. Steen has played in a
first-line role with the Blues this year, and found the back of the net 11
times in his first 11 games of the season.
Steen’s current contract with the Blues is worth $13.45
million over four seasons. He will be making, on average, approximately $2.45
million more per season with his new deal, which will kick in next season.
Assuming none of the team’s forwards up for extensions next offseason command
more than $5.8 million per season, Steen will be the highest-paid forward on
the Blues’ roster. Currently, David Backes holds that title, making $4.5
million per year.
Steen is expected to sign his new deal, making it official,
on Thursday morning at a press conference.