By Andrew Allsman| Posted: July 3, 2015| Contact |
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo missed the 2015 postseason, but will
be a major part of the Blues’ defensive group moving forward.
The 26-year-old defenseman agreed to a two-year, $2.1
million with the Blues Thursday afternoon, avoiding potential arbitration,
which Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said would have taken place had a
deal not been reached.
“It negotiated itself, quite honestly,” Armstrong said of
the deal.
Bortuzzo was acquired from Pittsburgh last season and played
in 13 games with the Blues, posting one goal, two points. The Ontario native
suffered an undisclosed injury late in the season, which eliminated any
opportunity for the defenseman to suit up in the postseason.
Bortuzzo, who was a restricted free agent, was inked to a
new deal 24 hours after he gained free agent status. He is expected to be
penciled in on the Blues’ third defensive pairing with Petteri Lindbohm for the
upcoming season.
“I like having that size on the back end,” said Armstrong. “I
think he and Lindbohm are going to give us a little bit of a snarl back there.
They are younger guys, good skaters. I think we will be a little different team
than we were last year.”
With Bortuzzo signed, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jake Allen are
the Blues’ two remaining restricted free agents. Both are expected to be signed
before the season begins.