ST LOUIS, Mo – St. Louis reconciled three players to their roster on Tuesday completing the financial obligation for recently acquired Jaroslav Halak and renewing the contracts of Carlo Colaiacovo and Cam Janssen. The Blues have been busy this offseason resigning their current roster that the team has worked diligently to develop and now looks to preserve this quite attuned group. Halak is the only new addition to the franchise thus far as he will take over for Chris Mason in goal when the season begins in October.
Jaroslav Halak sought fair compensation for the league standard by way of uncontested top overall goalies on the depth chart and was received well by the Blues management. The four year deal worth $15 million cover Halak through his early unrestricted free agency term and therefore gives the St. Louis Blues more control over him down the road. The terms of the deal did not include a no-trade clause as Halak did not request one. The back heavy contract is worth $2.75 million this season and will transition over the next four years to $4.50 million for the 2013-14seasons.
The Blues were also able to resign Carlo Colaiacovo to a two year deal appeasing both halves as Colaiacovo had been quite vocal about his desire to remain with St. Louis and the Blues have been quite pleased with his ability to move the puck, especially on the special teams units. The financial terms of the deal break down to roughly $2.15 million a year with Colaiacovo becoming an unrestricted free agent at terms end.
Cam Janssen had filed for arbitration prior to re-upping with the Blues for $600,000 for next season. The one year deal allows the native of St. Louis, Missouri to remain close to home for one more season and continue to improve on his game in a very quaint setting.
The Blues will now turn their attention to negotiations with David Perron and enforcer D.J. King. Perron has had a tale of development over the last three seasons. The 22 year old forward has matured and developed a more complete game over the last couple of seasons while not suffering statistically. Perron has maintained his 60+ points per season while shouldering some of the scoring burden upon his self. Expect the St. Louis Blues to be looking long term with the burgeoning star as Perron will prove to be a positive font in the coming years.
It is expected that D.J. King will resign with the Blues after receiving an offer reported to be close to what Janssen was presented.
You may contact the author at: John.Strathman@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.