By Andrew Allsman| Posted: July 3, 2015| Contact |
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| Photo courtesy of Scott Neer, TSNPhotography |
The Blues and goaltender Jake Allen have agreed to a
two-year contract extension, the team announced Friday afternoon.
The extension is worth $4.7 million, according to the St.
Louis Post-Dispatch. Allen will make $2.2 million in the upcoming season and
$2.5 million the following year.
Allen, 24, is coming off a stellar season with the Blues
during which he posted a 22-7-4 record to go along with a .913 save percentage
and a 2.28 goals against average. Allen was also named to the NHL’s All-Rookie
Team.
The Blues’ second round draft pick in 2008, Allen is
expected to be the Blues’ No. 1 goalie this year, after pushing his way to the
front late last season. The then-rookie started in all six playoff games for
the Blues, earning a 2-4 record and establishing a .904 save percentage in the
Blues’ series loss to Minnesota. Brian Elliott is expected to push for the
starting role again this year, but Allen has the leg up heading into training camp.
"He's played in the playoffs in the American League,
he's played World Junior Gold Medal Games," head coach Ken Hitchcock said
of Allen. "He knows the stakes, nothing's going to shock him or surprise
him. The stage doesn't frighten him."
Allen and the Blues opted for a bridge deal due to the
goaltender’s lack of experience. The netminder has played in just 52 NHL games,
but the Blues see him as the goaltender of the future.
"Experience comes up a lot," Allen said last
season. "I'm only 24-years-old. I've been through a lot since I was 17 and
really took my hockey journey.”
The Blues also announced the signing of 2015 draft pick Luke
Opilka to a three-year, entry-level contract. Opilka, a St. Louis native, will
bypass the opportunity to play for the University of Wisconsin. He will instead
begin his pro career with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League.