Sources: St. Louis Blues, Robert Thomas nearing eight-year, $64 million extension
Robert Thomas broke out as a scoring-line NHL center in 2021-22. Now, he’s about to officially become part of the St. Louis Blues’ plans for the long term.
Sources tell Daily Faceoff that restricted free agent Thomas, 23, is set to sign a max-term contract at eight years and $64 million, carrying an $8-million AAV.
Thomas, a Blues first-round pick from the OHL’s London Knights at 20th overall in 2017, is best known for his intelligence as a two-way center, and it began to bear fruit this past season. He had battled injuries and inconsistency in his first three NHL campaigns, posting 87 points in 169 games, but he was still an efficient scorer on a per-60 basis while only logging 13:36 of ice time per game. In 2021-22, the opportunity finally increased, with his average TOI jumping all the way to 18:46, and he busted out for a career-best 20 goals and 77 points in 72 games. Only Johnny Gaudreau averaged more assists per 60 minutes than Thomas in 5-on-5 play among all NHLers.
The Blues have Thomas locked up to be a pillar of their top-six forward group for years to come, but GM Doug Armstrong’s summer to-do list isn’t done. He still has to re-sign another young star RFA forward, right winger Jordan Kyrou, not to mention puck-moving defenseman Scott Perunovich, among others.