Blues, Jaskin agree to two-year extension

Winger will earn $1 million annually on one-way 

contract; team on verge of extending agreement with Wolves

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues made their first offseason move by signing winger Dmitrij Jaskin to a two-year contract extension that will pay him $1 million each season.

Jaskin, 23, was drafted by the Blues in the second round in 2011 and received a one-way contract, meaning he will be paid $1 million whether in the NHL or in the American Hockey League.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Dmitrij Jaskin (23) signed a two-year extension Thursday with the Blues.

Jaskin, who could have been a restricted free agent July 1, is coming off a one-year contract that paid him $775,000.

"It’s great to be part of a group like this," Jaskin said on the team website. "It's great to have the opportunity to be part of this team. To get (to) the (Western) Conference Final, it’s a big motivation. You want to get there again and in (these) two years, I hope we'll get even further. I'm really excited for next season."

Jaskin finished with just four regular season goals in 65 games this past season after a 13-goal performance in 54 games in 2014-15, his first full season. He has appeared in 139 career NHL games and has 18 goals and 15 assists.

Jaskin scored a huge postseason goal -- his first in the NHL -- in Game 5 of the conference semifinals against the Dallas Stars, a series the Blues went on to win in seven games. It was Jaskin's first action in the postseason and had two points in six games.

Jaskin will represent the Blues and the Czech Republic at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in September, which will play out in Toronto. 

Jaskin's signing means the Blues have just Jaden Schwartz, Magnus Paajarvi and Anders Nilsson as RFA's remaining on the main roster. Ty Rattie headlines the names of players in the minors that can become RFA's on July 1.

* Blues, Wolves close to announcing deal -- The Blues and their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, have agreed in principle on a one-year contract to remain affiliates, according to a source, and a contract could be announced at any time.

The teams have been together the past three seasons, since the Blues folded ceased operations with their AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, in 2013. The Wolves are an independent AHL team and, according to the same source, will be looking elsewhere in 2017-18, perhaps the new NHL franchise in Las Vegas when they begin playing in the NHL.