Leddy signs four-year, $16 million contract to stay with Blues

Nick Leddy signed a four-year, $16 million contract Wednesday to remain with the St. Louis Blues. It has an average annual value of $4 million.

"I think the comfort factor was there right away," Leddy said. "Obviously I felt welcomed immediately, and knowing some of the guys really well, Brandon [Saad] and Justin [Faulk] right from the start helped out exponentially. Obviously there was some communication between [GM Doug Armstrong] and my agent, some back and forth, but overall, it was a place I really wanted to be."

The 31-year-old defenseman had 24 points (three goals, 21 assists) in 75 regular-season games for the Blues and Detroit Red Wings last season, including eight points (two goals, six assists) in 20 games after he was acquired in a trade with the Red Wings on March 21.

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Leddy had five points (one goal, four assists) in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games last season.

"I think solidifying our top four on defense was very important for us," Armstrong said. "I was very comfortable with the seven [defensemen] that we had last year, before we got Nick, and we became a little bit better balanced team with Nick, and we're happy to have him back too."

Selected by the Minnesota Wild in the first round (No. 16) of the 2009 NHL Draft, Leddy has 360 points (68 goals, 292 assists) in 851 regular-season games for the Blues, Red Wings, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks and 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 130 playoff games.

Leddy won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013.

"At this point in my career, I know places that I feel I would like and the teams I really like to be around," Leddy said. "Obviously, St. Louis is that team."

The Blues also signed center Robert Thomas to an eight-year, $65 contract extension ($8.125 million AAV) on Wednesday. The contract begins in 2023-24. They also signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a one-year, $1.25 millon contract and forward Noel Acciari to a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

NHL.com independent correspondent Lou Korac contributed to this report.