This month started out with a rather hectic couple of days for the NHL, but has since calmed down. The St. Louis Blues, like every team, had their fair share of involvement. Let’s take a look back on the month of July and what the three highlights of it were for the St. Louis Blues.
#3: Free Agents and Re-signings
Despite not being wildly involved in free agency, the Blues managed to make a number of changes to their roster during the month.
Those changes included the signings of centers Pat Cannone and Kyle Brodziak, right wings Jordan Caron and Danny Kristo, and defenseman Peter Harrold and Chris Butler, as well as a two-year extension for Robert Bortuzzo. A few days later, Goaltender Jake Allen signed a two-year, $4.7 million extension, and winger Dmitrij Jaskin signed a one-year, $775,000 deal. The Blues also signed their 2015 draft pick goaltender Luke Opilka to a three-year contract.
Overall these contracts set the Blues up nicely moving forward and that is what makes them the third best highlight.
#2: TJ Oshie Trade for Troy Brouwer
The second biggest move St. Louis has made this month was trading long time Blues forward TJ Oshie to the Washington Capitals for Troy Brouwer, goaltender Pheonix Copley, and a 2016 third round pick.
Although Oshie was a big part of the team, it was the best decision for him as well as the Blues. While the acquisitions could be key pieces moving forward, they aren’t going to drastically change the makeup of the Blues immediately, which is why this move is number two.
#1: The Return of Tarasenko
The most important step forward St. Louis took in July was locking down arguably one of the best young guns in the game. Vladimir Tarasenko was re-signed to an eight-year, $60 million extension, the longest a contract can be under the modified Collective Bargaining Agreement. While eight years is a long-term commitment, it’s one that the Blues needed to get done sooner rather than later for the benefit of the team moving forward.
Overall St. Louis made a few key decisions about the future of the organization during the month of July that will no doubt affect the team in the future. Whether or not those choices have a positive outcome, however, remains to be seen.
What do you think was the biggest move the Blues made during the month of July? Leave your thoughts in the comments.