Blues sign Schwartz to five-year contract extension

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Blues and forward Jaden Schwartz, a restricted free agent, have avoided arbitration and agreed on a five-year contract extension worth $26.75 million.

Re-signing the 24-year-old Schwartz was a top priority for the team, which lost in the Western Conference finals to San Jose.

The arbitration case had been set for July 20.

In 240 games with St. Louis, the former first-round draft pick has 70 goals and 157 points. He was limited to 33 games by a fractured ankle last season, and had eight goals and 14 assists.