The St. Louis Blues are looking to build on their success from last season and for them that includes re-signing a 23-year-old forward who has yet to prove himself at the NHL level. On Thursday, the Blues signed Dmitrij Jaskin to a two-year contract extension.
The contract – which will carry through the 2017-18 season – is worth $2-million and comes with an annual cap hit of $1-million, according to Cap Friendly.
Jaskin has played games in four different seasons with the Blues (just two in 2012-13) including 65 games in 2015-16 scoring 13 points (4g-9a) over that span. He added six games during the Blues’ playoff run with one goal and two points. His best season came in 2014-15 when he scored 18 points (13g-5a) in 54 games.
“It’s great to be part of a group like this,” Jaskin said according to the Blues’ website. “It’s great to have the opportunity to be part of this team. To get to the Conference Final, it’s a big motivation. You want to get there again and in (these) two years, I hope we’ll get even further.”
While his career is still young at the NHL level, Jaskin’s shown potential to break out as an offensive player. In 2012-13, as a member of the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, he scored 99 points (46g-53a) in just 51 games. His adjustment to the NHL game hasn’t been easy, but the new contract offers him another opportunity to prove himself.
A native of Omsk, Russia, Jaskin will get an opportunity to represent the Czech Republic at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Andrew is in his 8th year reporting for The Hockey Writers covering the Toronto Maple Leafs. He began his broadcasting with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada team as well as being part of their coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. He’s the former play-by-play voice of the London Jr. Knights for Rogers TV and currently hosts the Sticks in the 6ix podcast. You can follow him on Twitter at @AndrewGForbes.
