Take a look at any successful team and there’s always a mix of the young and the old. After an off-season filled with quite a few changes, there is one noticeable player still in the St. Louis Blues locker room. That player is Alexander Steen.
The 32-year-old Canadian/Swedish dual national has one year left on his current deal with the Blues. Just like any player north of 30, the contracts become shorter and the money tends to slim down. Just what does the future hold for Steen? Yet another fan favorite could be on their way out next summer.
Alexander Steen’s Future With The St. Louis Blues
Steen Slated for a Raise in 2016-17
Before even taking Steen’s on ice play into account, one has to look at his current contract. With only one year remaining on his three-year deal, Steen’s pay is at its maximum this season. Per generalfanager.com, the term was three years for a total of $17.4 million. Breaking down the actual numbers it’s an AAV of $5.8 million per year, though one aspect of the Steen deal many may not have noticed is the real salary actually bumps up to $6.5 million for the 2016-17 campaign.
It’s a hefty contract for a player of his age but if point production doesn’t take a dive it should not cause an uproar. What may draw some eyes though is just where the money may go after this season. Does Steen see himself as a player past his prime and not worthy of a final big contract? The term big is relative, but for both sides to be happy one would have to imagine a large cap hit is not in the cards.
Steen’s Recent Surgery
How well Steen recovers from recent shoulder surgery will be a major factor in the final price tag. The operation itself took place in early June, and the original timetable for recovery was four to six months. But there is a bright spot to this news. During an interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in late August, General Manager Doug Armstrong did say Steen was ahead of schedule.
“He looks like he’s in great shape, he’s ahead of schedule, and we’re hoping he’s ready for game one” Armstrong said.
If true, that is a great sign. The current Blues GM hasn’t been one to rush players in the past. If opening night ends up being a little too soon, Steen likely is not too far past that. Skipping the World Cup of Hockey may have been the best thing for him, allowing plenty of time to recover.
All signs point towards Alexander Steen being ahead of schedule following off season shoulder surgery….great news #stlblues
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) September 4, 2016
Despite everything that can be seen as a knock against the Winnipeg native, there has been one constant: Steen has been a solid two-way player for a number of years. His career high in points came in 2014-15, when he put up 64 points in 74 regular season games. Last season wasn’t all that far off, 52 points in 67 games. Out of the 52 points, 17 of them were goals.
Flexible Forward for the Blues
Looking long-term into Steen’s future, he plays a style of hockey that isn’t overly taxing. He’s not one to shy away from the dirty areas but at the same time doesn’t bring a very physical brand of hockey. There aren’t many highlights of him laying someone out with a big hit or dropping the gloves. In contrast to the hit leaders in the league, Matt Martin of the New York Islanders for example, Steen doesn’t exactly make players look over their shoulder when on the ice.
Physical play isn’t what the Blues expect out of Steen. He instead brings an ability to be flexible on the ice. Often times switching from center to winger multiple times in a game. This isn’t even including just how essential he has been on special teams for the Blues. Last season the Blues were sixth on the power play and third in penalty kill; Steen played a part in that.
So that brings us back to the original question, does Steen have a future with the Blues past 2016-17? Both sides likely want it. If Steen keeps his point production hovering around the 50- to 60-point range come June, a mid to high price point deal isn’t out of the question. It’s the term that will bring the debate, as age always wins in the end.
A healthy Steen can play at a high level in this league for a few more years. So the Blues are likely playing the “wait and see” game this season. It’s not Steen’s swan song in St. Louis just yet, as this story is still being told.
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