Blues, forward Jaden Schwartz far apart in contract negotiations
The St. Louis Blues and restricted free agent forward Jaden Schwartz remain "significantly apart" in contract negotiations, Schwartz's agent Wade Arnott told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Wednesday.
Schwartz, 22, just completed his three-year, $2.49 million entry-level contract. He had a breakout season in 2013-14 but has played just 132 total games due to the lockout in 2012-13. As a result, Schwartz and the team are discussing a short-term deal after initially focusing negotiations on a long-term deal.
“He doesn’t have enough of a history in our game right now,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “He’s had a shortened lockout season and one (full) season in the NHL. I think there’s more data to be given on exactly where he’s going to fit in.”
“We still have over two weeks left, so I’m not overly concerned at this point,” Armstrong said. “These things, they play themselves out."
MUIR: Blue Jackets' Johansen needs a reality check
St. Louis opens training camp on Sept. 18 and begins the regular season Oct. 9 against the New York Rangers.
Schwartz led the Blues in plus-minus rating last season at plus-28, tied for 13th in the NHL. He was fourth on the team in points with 56.
- Ben Estes