Robert Thomas began the day with the biggest headline,
signing an eight-year contract extension worth $65 million
. It is the richest contract signed in Blues history, surpassing Vladimir Tarasenko's eight-year, $60 million extension signed in 2015.
Thomas had a breakout season in 2021-22, recording career highs in goals (20), assists (57) and points (77).
"We look at him as the centerpiece of our organization moving forward," said Armstrong. "He touches every part of our game - he's a five-on-five player (and) both ends of special teams... And that's at 22 (years old)."
Armstrong continued his day by
signing defenseman Nick Leddy to a four-year contract extention
, worth $16 million in total ($4 million AAV). Brought to St. Louis via trade from the Red Wings at the trade deadline last season, Leddy brought stability and playoff experience to the blue line.
"I was very comfortable with the seven (defensemen) we had last year before we got Nick, but we became a little bit better balanced team with (him). We're happy to have him back," said Armstrong.
The Blues added two newcomers as well, bringing in
goaltender Thomas Greiss
and
forward Noel Acciari
each on one-year deals worth at least $1.25 million.
Greiss is an experienced goaltender who spent the last two seasons in Detroit. He also has played for four other franchises over his 13-year career. The 36-year-old goalie has a career save-percentage of .912 and a goals-against average of 2.72.
Playing for the New York Islanders in 2018-19, Greiss paired with Robin Lehner to win the Jennings Trophy - given to the goalie(s) having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals against in a season.
Acciari, a 30-year-old center, has played seven NHL seasons - four with the Boston Bruins and then three with the Florida Panthers. He was a member of the Bruins team that fell to St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Final, and has 54 career playoff games under his belt.
Another piece of business that Armstrong attended to on Wednesday was signing prospect
Will Bitten
to a two-year, two-way deal. The 24-year-old forward was acquired from Minnesota in December 2021, and he played a pivotal role in the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds' run to the 2022 Calder Cup Final.
As Armstong said on free agency: "It's a jigsaw puzzle that's always moving."
