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Chris Stewart did not have the season that he (or anyone else) wanted. Just a little over a year removed from the blockbuster trade that saw the Blues' former first overall pick Erik Johnson and Jay McKee go to the Colorado Avalanche for Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk, Stewart's future with the club was in doubt. He had 53 points in 2010-2011, 28 of those being goals. After the trade to St. Louis, he put up an outstanding 15 goals in 26 games.
Last season he scored 15 goals for the Blues... in 79 games. Frustration set in for the fans, and Stewart was often named in trade proposals. But, much as they did last off-season by re-signing TJ Oshie to a one-year deal, the Blues want to give Stewart a chance to prove himself. They signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal to get himself back on track. Contract years are great motivators -- it worked for Oshie -- so maybe this might be the move that he needed to get back on track.