Blues sign Schwartz for five years on busy day of deals
ST. LOUIS -- So much for that trip to the arbitration table. The Blues signed restricted free-agent forward Jaden Schwartz to a five-year deal Friday.
Schwartz was scheduled to go to arbitration next Wednesday if the parties could not reach a new agreement by Friday. Instead, they agreed to a contract that would pay him $26.75 million through the 2020-21 season, the team reported Friday.
Schwartz missed 49 games last season after suffering a fractured left ankle at practice. He played in only 33 regular-season games, scoring 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) before tallying 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 20 playoff games.
The Blues also signed two young goalies to contracts Friday. Jordan Binnington and Pheonix Copley both agreed to terms on one-year, two-way contracts. They are expected to handle the goaltending for the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, again next season, though 2014 draft pick Ville Husso also could figure into the mix.
Binnington went 17-18-5 with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 41 games with the Wolves last season. Copley was 15-16-3 with a 2.79 GAA and a .909 save percentage in 37 games with Chicago.
