Berglund signs five-year extension

ST. LOUIS - On Friday, Patrik Berglund agreed to a new five-year, $19.25 million contract extension with the Blues.
On Saturday, he made it official by signing the contract in St. Louis, which is the only place he actually wanted to be anyway.

"I love the city and have made a lot of good friends here. For me, it was for sure that I wanted to stay," Berglund said. "I take a lot of pride in (wearing the Blue Note). This is where I want to be, and this is where I want to win the Cup. That's the reason we're here. I really believe this team is going in the right direction."
Berglund, who is finishing up his previous three-year deal, would have become an unrestricted free agent if he wasn't signed before July 1.
"We're excited to have him under contract with us moving forward," Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong said during a media conference call on Saturday. "He's a big part of our team and at 28 years old, we have a lot of confidence that he'll help us stay competitive and reach our goals."
Berglund has been one of the Blues' most consistent performers of late. After scoring just one goal in his first 30 games this season, he now has 16 goals in his last 30 games and ranks second on the club in goals with 17.

"He's on a good run, but this decision wasn't based on a two- or three-week scoring run," Armstrong said. "It was based on size, his skill level and really, a player that is not out there and someone we really appreciate in our group. I think it's great that he's scoring, we'd love him to score at this pace forever, but this is more based on the overall product of a very competitive top-nine forward.
"You look at his role on our team, the size that he brings and the position he plays and the ability to play the wing also," Armstrong added. "You look at the potential free agent class and it just felt like, getting to the new year and talking to (Blues Head Coach) Mike (Yeo) and knowing Mike has a lot of respect for Patrik and believes in his abilities, it seemed like the right player to get under contract."
Berglund has been with the Blues since being drafted by the club in the first round (No. 25 overall) in 2006. The Vasteras, Sweden-native is one of just 16 players to appear in at least nine seasons with the Blues. He has accumulated 286 points, including 145 goals and 141 assists, in 615 regular season games. Berglund has also posted 10 goals and 12 assists in 49 career playoff appearances.
In the Blues' last game on Feb. 20, Berglund tied Bob Plager (615) for seventh on the club's all-time games played list.
"I'm very excited," Berglund said of remaining with the Blues. "I always wanted to stay and I'm glad we could come up with a good agreement."