The Blues’ve gotten a bit of a jump this season in securing their free agents. First they re-up RFA Chris Stewart to a one year deal, and now they’ve fixed their sights on the blue line. Long time Blues defenseman Barret Jackman, who was their first overall pick in 1999 and won the Calder Trophy in 2003, besting Rick Nash and Henrik Zetterberg.

After the season ended, Jackman said that he would prefer to stay with the Blues rather than test free-agency, saying that he’s “pretty much grown up in St. Louis.” Instead of seizing on the chance to play elsewhere then retire in St. Louis like so many former Blues, Barret Jackman’ll be around for a while.

The #stlblues have re-signed defenseman Barret Jackman. It’s a three-year deal worth $9.5 million ($3, $3.25, $3.25).

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) June 18, 2012

The Blues had a choice — re-sign someone who knows the system already and who has proven himself to be a leader on or off the ice, or go out and sign someone else who does the exact same thing as Jackman. Why not go with the guy who wants to stay with the only team that he’s known? Despite a poor showing in the playoffs, Jackman finished the 2011-2012 season with a +20 rating.