The Blues began free agent season with a familiar face, resigning LW Alex Steen to a deal that will pay him $13.45 million over the next four years.
Steen tied for the team lead with 24 goals last year. 26 years old, he was acquired by the Blues in 2008.
Jeremy Rutherford of the Post-Dispatch reports:
"Four years, I'm more than happy," Steen said. "The Blues really gave me a shot at playing both sides of the game. It's been awhile since I got the chance. I look forward to another great year with the guys."
[Doug] Armstrong believes Steen can be part of the Blues' core.
"If you can get those players between the ages of 26-31, that's really the prime hockey-playing part of their career," Armstrong said. "I think that Alex is just hitting that. The way that he plays is very well suited to the way (Blues coach) Davis Payne likes to coach. He's a confident two-way player. He can provide work on both special teams. He found some goal scoring, which we believe is going to be more consistent. You look at his 24 goals in 68 games last year ... we're going to expect that to be the norm."
Steen's previous career high was 18, in his rookie season. In 2009-2010 Steen set career highs in goals, points, and plus-minus.