David Perron was one of the most coveted restricted free-agents this summer (Tim Vizer/Icon SMI)
The Blues can check off one of their biggest priorities for the summer. David Perron is under contract for another four years.
The Canadian-born left-wing signed a four-year, $15.25 million contract extension. The cap-hit will be a miniscule $3.8 million per season, while the contract itself is back loaded. Perron will be paid $3 million in 2012-13, $3.5 million in 2013-14, $4.25 million in 2014-15 and $4.5 million in 2015-16, according to capgeek.com.
“I love the city of St. Louis and I’m thrilled to play in front of these awesome fans for another four years,” Perron told stlouisblues.com. “We had an excellent regular season but we all feel this team has so much more to accomplish.”
Perron was one of the brightest stories to come out of the 2011-12 NHL season. After suffering a career-threatening concussion caused by a hit from Sharks center Joe Thornton on November 4, 2010, Perron returned to the Blues lineup on December 3, 2011 at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. Perron scored on his third shift of the game at 6:51 of the first period in the Blues’ 5-2 loss.
Perron went on to score 21 goals and 42 points in 57 games for the Blues. He added 1 goal and 4 assists in 9 playoff games.
“We’re comfortable with his health,” said Blues GM Doug Armstrong, “and we’re confident that he will continue to build on his offense.”
In other Blues news, restricted free-agent forward T.J. Oshie has filed for salary arbitration with the club. This means that Oshie can now send the contract dispute to an independent arbitrator if the two sides do not reach a deal.
Oshie led the Blues with 61 takeaways in 2011-12 (Icon SMI)
This does not mean that Oshie will be taking the Blues directly to court; the Blues and Oshie, along with his representatives, could still strike a deal before the case reaches an arbitrator.
Oshie tied Captain David Backes for the team-lead in points last season, scoring 19 goals and 54 points in 80 games played. The native of Mount Vernon, Washington saw his 1-year, $2.35 million contract expire on July 1.
As Andy Strickland of truehockey.com reports, the two sides did converse as recently as Thursday and there is “no ill will on either side.”
Oshie will be available for unrestricted free-agent status in two years. If Oshie and the Blues do end up in front of an arbitrator, the Blues can accept the awarded dollar amount for a maximum of two years.
