Jason Millen: Blues extend Steen, a defensive maneuver? Blues extend Steen, a defensive maneuver?

I thought it was a bit high AAV for an aging player declining in production who has not played a full season in a long time.

But some of his downward production last season was him coming back from injury too soon and I think that was stupid of the Blues. That had to have hurt his production value tremendously. Still, what we are seeing more and more is that as player starts to cross into their thirties their value to a team decreases greatly in comparison to their cost.

Then again Armstrong seems to want to pay when something is earned and less for potential, unless the evidence appears overwhelming a young player will retain value.

Steen has continued to be nearly a point per game player. Backes was no where near Steen's production level....ever, really.

There is value to the leadership of a guynlike Steen and keeping certain vets here. I was close to saying Backes had that intangible value but not more than three years.

In the end I agree with you Jammer. But this deal has more sense about it. I did not see if there is a NMC. If there isn't one then the last two years of his contract could have some value to teams needing a cap boost that would also likely be young in need of leadership and mentoring. I doubt that will happen, but as an asset that has to contain some value.

I hope the Blues are in on a possible offer sheet for Kucherov.

But to do I think you have to cross the $6 million threshold and that really forces TB's hands. But then the Blues will have to dump salary without leverage. I think they would be able to dump Berglund for little return, but if it is tied to getting a great player it wuld be a good move.

I think management decided who was important for the future of the Blues, and Steen won over Backes. Steen better fits the style of play the Blues and NHL as whole want to play.

The only issue i have is will be stay healthy? With health, i think his numbers go back up. He is still a very good player and even when he has been on the ice in recent years, he has had health issues which lower his numbers in the charts you posted.

I think he will be more productive than Backes going forward even with some injuries, so i think they made a good choice as we didn't want everyone to leave.

The breakdown of Steen’s front-loaded extension: $7 million in 2017-18, $7 million in 2018-19, $5.5 million in 2019-20 and $3.5 million in 2020-21. It will make him one of four Blues already under contract for that season, including Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and Jake Allen.

I like the way the contract was formed as well. He is a $7M player the next two years and would have gotten that on the open market, and salary going down will make it manageable of he does decline.

Anyone know the NTC/NMC situation attached to this contract? If none, this becomes a great contract. Good with one, great without.

Good player. Good point production. This may be a good deal for a year or two and a burden for the rest of the term. Just my opinion. Doesn't seem to be durabe for some reason. Can't imagine a guy who battles injuries will age well as a top athlete. The league and sports in general is gearing and more suited for a young man's game. Anyone in near or in their mid 30s shouldn't be signed long term unless that player is elite, a leader and or irreplaceable. I'm not saying it's a bad move but it's more risk than reward imo.

Jason Millen: Blues extend Steen, a defensive maneuver?
Blues extend Steen, a defensive maneuver?
- Jason Millen

I have no problem with real dollar cost year upon year. I also have no problem with the AAV as long as the cap continues to climb. It makes me wonder what the NHL five-year estimates are for business growth and cap growth...

I like the way the contract was formed as well. He is a $7M player the next two years and would have gotten that on the open market, and salary going down will make it manageable of he does decline.

Anyone know the NTC/NMC situation attached to this contract? If none, this becomes a great contract. Good with one, great without.
- carcus

I agree Carcus. his numbers should go up not having to prop up Backes as well.

Good player. Good point production. This may be a good deal for a year or two and a burden for the rest of the term. Just my opinion. Doesn't seem to be durabe for some reason. Can't imagine a guy who battles injuries will age well as a top athlete. The league and sports in general is gearing and more suited for a young man's game. Anyone in near or in their mid 30s shouldn't be signed long term unless that player is elite, a leader and or irreplaceable. I'm not saying it's a bad move but it's more risk than reward imo.
- systemtool

four years is not so bad. Long term to me is five plus. Four is the tweener and three or less is short term in my book. The only year I have real concern about is the last. But his value as a Blue should balance any decline that year.

Terrible deal! Are you kidding me?

What are you guys doing over there?!?!?

Terrible deal! Are you kidding me?

What are you guys doing over there?!?!?
- Rinosaur

I mostly agree. I feel like I'm being ostracized for having that opinion.

I mostly agree. I feel like I'm being ostracized for having that opinion.
- RobShouts

I mentioned this in the hotstove blog, but if I'm a Blues fan, I'm not happy with how your team is being managed right now.

I have no horse in this race, so I have no bias. You guys are a good team and fun to watch.

This + the Perron deal is not muey bueno.

You may disagree with me on this, but I'd rather have spend the combined $10.5M on Brouwer and Backes vs. the $9Mish on Perron/Steen.

I mentioned this in the hotstove blog, but if I'm a Blues fan, I'm not happy with how your team is being managed right now.

I have no horse in this race, so I have no bias. You guys are a good team and fun to watch.

This + the Perron deal is not muey bueno.

You may disagree with me on this, but I'd rather have spend the combined $10.5M on Brouwer and Backes vs. the $9Mish on Perron/Steen.
- Rinosaur

Steen > Backes.

As a Pens fan I would think you would appreciate the need for players who can skate. Backes and Brouwer are two of the slowest players you will find and they will only get slower as they hit their mid thirties.

Steen > Backes.

As a Pens fan I would think you would appreciate the need for players who can skate. Backes and Brouwer are two of the slowest players you will find and they will only get slower as they hit their mid thirties.
- fattyboubatty

It's not even close--- Steen >>>>>> Backes. Steen is a far superior to Backes on so many levels.

I do not know why a few games in the play offs has everyone overvaluing Brouwer. Hell Steen missed a big chunk and played the end with a dislocated shoulder that required off season surgery and still out scored both players. He is not a one dimensional player either; Brouwer is one-dimensional.

Backes is losing steps. He is quickly approaching a plus fourth liner. A non-factor against Canada. Hell a non-factor against team Europe.

Steen has value still even if the part of his game I do not like is where he seemingly has entered almost every play offs for the past three or four seasons injured.

It's not even close--- Steen >>>>>> Backes. Steen is a far superior to Backes on so many levels.

I do not know why a few games in the play offs has everyone overvaluing Brouwer. Hell Steen missed a big chunk and played the end with a dislocated shoulder that required off season surgery and still out scored both players. He is not a one dimensional player either; Brouwer is one-dimensional.

Backes is losing steps. He is quickly approaching a plus fourth liner. A non-factor against Canada. Hell a non-factor against team Europe.

Steen has value still even if the part of his game I do not like is where he seemingly has entered almost every play offs for the past three or four seasons injured.
- BluemanGuruu

I know man. This issue has kind of been beat to death over the summer but the recent performance of team USA only confirms that you cant ice several slow, lesser skilled players and expect to beat a faster, more skilled team just because your slower players are tougher and end up with more hits. What did Backes do for that team besides lay a few hits and whine about Phil Kessel's tweets?

The league is getting younger and faster and there is less and less room for one dimensional guys like Backes and Brouwer to be eating up a sizable portion of your cap.

Having a guy around for another five years that's been somewhat injury prone, has a history of concussions, and who's game is already showing signs of decline is not a great signing in my book.

He's still valuable, but i would have been in no hurry to re-up him to an extension. And not one longer than three years.

Unless you're convinced that no matter what, his replacement costs would be higher.

I'm sure the four years was probably a compromise to allow the Blues to structure it the way they did.

Having a guy around for another five years that's been somewhat injury prone, has a history of concussions, and who's game is already showing signs of decline is not a great signing in my book.

He's still valuable, but i would have been in no hurry to re-up him to an extension. And not one longer than three years.

Unless you're convinced that no matter what, his replacement costs would be higher.

I'm sure the four years was probably a compromise to allow the Blues to structure it the way they did.
- bcallaway

i have cocerns about the first part you mention and agree with your last sentiments.

Look at last season: Even though he played 12 less games than Backes he had seven points and those last games he played he was not himself.

He has had some bad luck with injuries. Hopefully he'll find some luck the other way.

I have no issue with this signing

New Blues looked good yesterday

Some seem to be more than just roster fillers for WC players

lets see if they can keep it up

Supposedly when asked about his reaction to Team USA tweets, Backes said that if he weren't picked for a team, he'd remember he's still American



This may be becoming blog worthy.

Supposedly when asked about his reaction to Team USA tweets, Backes said that if he weren't picked for a team, he'd remember he's still American



This may be becoming blog worthy.
- Jason Millen

Supposedly when asked about his reaction to Team USA tweets, Backes said that if he weren't picked for a team, he'd remember he's still American



This may be becoming blog worthy.
- Jason Millen

- carcus

is it wrong that the first thing that popped into my head was wondering if he was trying to make America great again?

is it wrong that the first thing that popped into my head was wondering if he was trying to make America great again?
- Jason Millen

Supposedly when asked about his reaction to Team USA tweets, Backes said that if he weren't picked for a team, he'd remember he's still American



This may be becoming blog worthy.
- Jason Millen

Well Backes it was great to see over seas with the rest of us...oh, your patriotism only runs so deep. I see....