Sammy Blais agreed to a two-year, $3 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. It has an average annual value of $1.5 million.
"It feels good to get that out of the way," Blais told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "To be here for the next two years is really nice. I've had it pretty hard since I've been playing pro. A lot of call-ups -- AHL, NHL -- to get that contract, it means a lot. I really love playing in St. Louis, and with the group of guys we have, I really wanted to re-sign here."
Blais could have become a restricted free agent after this season, which has been paused since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
"He's coming as a sixth-round pick and getting to the NHL as quickly as he did is a feather in his cap," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "We see a complete player. He's got a physical edge to him, but he also has good hands in tight and he can make plays. He's a guy that we believe can continue to take a bigger role as we move forward in all aspects of his game."
The 23-year-old forward has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 40 games this season. He was out from Nov. 20-Jan. 27 with a wrist injury.
Blues coach Craig Berube was Blais' first professional coach, with Chicago of the American Hockey League in 2016-17.
"I've had some tough love from him, but he wants the best from all his players," Blais said. "I think that's how he gets it. He's really respected in the locker room.
"I know what he wants from me, and I know what he expects from me. So I just try to play my game and try to do all the details that they tell me to do. Try to respect the game plan. And I think when you have confidence from your coach, it just gives you confidence yourself."
A sixth-round pick (No. 176) by St. Louis in the 2014 NHL Draft, he has 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 83 games over three seasons. He had three points (one goal, two assists) in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season to help the Blues win their first championship.
"I think young players have to find that consistency and I think (forward Zach) Sanford and Blais are working, they're getting better and better," Armstrong said. "Hopefully in the next year or two, they'll become consistent players where the peaks and valleys are very close to each other."
NHL.com independent correspondent Louie Korac contributed to this report
