Blues agree to extension with Leddy

*Photo from NHL.com*

   One of the big pieces in St. Louis is sticking around for a while to come. The St. Louis Blues and D Nick Leddy have agreed to a 4 year, $16 million deal, according to an announcement made by the team at the start of free agency.

   Leddy said of re-signing with the Blues that "I think the comfort factor was there right away. Obviously I felt welcomed immediately, and knowing some of the guys really well, Brandon and Justin right from the start helped out exponentially. Obviously there was some communication between Doug and my agent, some back and forth, but overall, it was a place I really wanted to be."

   Last season, split between the Blues and Detroit Red Wings, Leddy tallied 3 goals and 21 assists, posting a ghastly -30 plus/minus rating in 21:25 of ice time in 75 regular season games. In 9 playoff games, Leddy added one goal and 4 assists for the Blues.

   In his NHL career, Leddy has 68 goals and 292 assists, averaging 20:37 of ice time per game while recording a -60 plus/minus rating in 851 regular season games. Leddy has an additional 8 goals and 30 assists in 130 career playoff games.

   With his new deal, the 31 year old Leddy is back under contract for 4 more years. He will make $4 million annually in the deal, with no extra bonuses in the deal. He has a full no movement clause for the first 3 seasons of the deal, and a modified no trade clause in the 2025-2026 season, the last year of the deal.

   Blues GM Doug Armstrong said of the deal with Leddy that "I think solidifying our top four on defense was very important for us. I was very comfortable with the seven 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."

   Leddy's NHL career spans 12 seasons since debuting in the 2010-2011 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup in 2012-2013 with Chicago. He has played for the Blackhawks, Red Wings, Blues, and New York Islanders, and was acquired by the Blues at the trade deadline next season.

   The signing of Leddy comes amidst a somewhat quiet offseason for the Blues, who replaced Ville Husso with Thomas Greiss in their other notable move.