Sharks - News Round Up

San Jose Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson and Head Coach Peter DeBoer announced today that Dave Barr has been named an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks. Barr will serve as the Sharks "eye-in-the-sky" this season. On DeBoer's staff, Barr joins Assistant Coaches Steve Spott and Rob Zettler, Assistant Coach/Goaltending Coach Johan Hedberg and Video Coach Dan Darrow. 

"Dave is a veteran coach with a long history of development at all levels," said DeBoer. "We're excited we were able to add him to our staff." 

"I am very excited to work for an organization that has a chance to win every year and am looking forward to working with this impressive coaching staff," said Barr. 

Barr has spent the past nine seasons coaching in various capacities in the NHL, serving most recently as an associate coach of the Florida Panthers during the 2016-17 season. Prior to his time in Florida, Barr served as an NHL assistant coach for eight seasons, with stops in Buffalo (2015-16), New Jersey (2011-15), Minnesota (2009-11) and Colorado (2008-09). Barr was a member of Peter DeBoer's coaching staff during his four-year tenure with New Jersey, helping the team reach the 2012 Stanley Cup Final. The 56-year-old Barr spent four seasons as the head coach and general manager of the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2004-08, where he was named the Matt Leyden Trophy winner as the OHL's Coach of the Year in 2005-06. In addition, he was selected to coach Canada's National Summer Under-18 Team at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2007. Prior to his OHL coaching tenure, Barr spent three seasons (1997-2000) as an assistant coach with the Houston Aeros and one season as the team's head coach (2000-01), helping the team set a franchise record with a league-leading 54-15-13 record en route to the IHL Turner Cup. He transitioned to the team's general manager for two seasons (2001-03), helping the team win a Calder Cup in 2003. Barr collected 332 points (128 goals, 204 assists) and 520 penalty minutes in 614 NHL games played during his 13-season NHL career with Boston, the New York Rangers, St. Louis, Hartford, Detroit, New Jersey and Dallas. He finished his playing career as a player/assistant coach in the IHL with the Orlando Solar Bears from 1995-97, his first foray into coaching. The Toronto native and his wife, Debbie, have two children, a daughter Allison and a son, Ryan.

 

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Sharks defenseman prospect Mario Ferraro never has to be told twice to join the rush. So after hearing coaches at development camp emphasize the importance of defensemen helping out on the offensive end, San Jose's second-round pick (No. 49) in the 2017 NHL Draft knew what to do in the prospects scrimmage on July 6 at SAP Center.

"I definitely like to get involved offensively," the 18-year-old said. "I like to use my skating to my advantage and progress the puck up ice quick."

Ferraro showed off his skating skill and boundless energy during the scrimmage. A handful of times, he actually wound up with the puck below the opposing goal line after joining the rush.

"Just a ton of energy," said San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer, who ran the development camp. "He plays with a lot of juice. A guy like that looks like he loves the game. I could see why they drafted him. I think he's going to be a good one. He's big and intense and a hockey rat."

Although Sommer, coach of the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate, believes Ferraro will have to learn to play more under control, he said he'd rather have to "tame a tiger" than have to prod a player to become more aggressive.

Ferraro is built in the mold of the modern NHL defenseman. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he depends more on his skating speed and puck-moving skill than brawn.

"I've always relied on my skating quite a bit," Ferraro said. "When I was younger, all my life really, I've been an undersized defenseman, so I've had to have good skating ability to kind of escape those bigger players out there. Skating has always been a big part of my game. It's something that I work on a lot throughout the offseason, and during the season as well. I use my skating quite a bit. I like to get involved offensively, so to have a good transition game is important. That's what I focus on a lot."

However, Ferraro doesn't shy away from physical contact on the ice. Far from it.

"He plays in your face," Sommer said.

Ferraro ranked among the top 10 in six of the 14 fitness tests at the NHL Scouting Combine in June, including the bench press and left-hand grip.

"I like to be physical in there, get in the corners, use my body a little bit," Ferraro said. "Physicality's a big part of my game, and I like to bring that every night."

Ferraro grew up in Toronto and was a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but he said his favorite all-time NHL players are Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and Hall of Fame defenseman Bobby Orr.

"I really liked Bobby Orr when I was younger, but [among] current players, Drew Doughty," Ferraro said. "He's a good offensive defenseman, but he's also very physical and gritty. I like that part of his game. He's a player I've looked up to."

Ferraro had 41 points (eight goals, 33 assists) in 60 games last season for Des Moines of the United States Hockey League. He'll continue his hockey career this season as a freshman at the University of Massachusetts and already knows one area where he wants to get better.

"I'm looking to improve on my shot," he said. "I need to have a good, quick release from the point. Watching the NHL, a lot of goals are scored from the point. That's very important. And I want to work on knowing when and when not to go up in a play, choosing my spots a little bit better."

General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has re-signed forward Marcus Sorensen to a two-year contract.

"In Marcus' first year in North America, he quickly showed that he is a skilled player with the ability to contribute to the team's success," said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will. "The time he spent with the Sharks this season, and the positive impact he had, proved that he can be an effective player at the highest level. We're excited to see him compete for a spot with the Sharks at training camp in the fall."

In his first season in North America, Sorensen, 25, recorded 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 43 games with the San Jose Barracuda, the American Hockey League affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. His 17 goals was tied for 4th on the team, despite playing less than two-thirds of the season's games. He also finished the season T-2nd on the Barracuda with a plus-17 rating, 5th in shooting percentage (15.7), and 6th in points per game (0.79). In 10 playoff games with the AHL club, he collected one assist, 20 shots, and 10 penalty minutes. In 19 regular season games with the Sharks, Sorensen collected four points (one goal, three assists). He recorded his first career NHL goal, the game winner, on March 2, 2017 against the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center at San Jose. He played in all six of the Sharks playoffs games this season, scoring one goal and one assist with plus-1 rating and five shots on goal. 

Prior to playing in North America, Sorensen recorded 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) and 64 penalty minutes in 97 career SHL games with Djurgårdens IF. He represented Sweden in the 2015 Euro Hockey Tour, posting three goals and a plus-4 rating in a first-place finish.

The five-foot-ten, 175-pound forward is a native of Södertälje, Sweden. He was originally drafted in the 4th round of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators, and was signed by San Jose as a free agent on May 13, 2016.

 

Doug Wilson announced that the club has re-signed forward Chris Tierney to a one-year contract.

"We believe Chris has yet to hit his prime, but has already proven that he can be a key member on our penalty kill and the defensive side of the puck," said Wilson. "We are excited to watch his offensive development as he continues to use his strong two-way hockey sense to impact the youthful infusion of our roster."

Tierney, 23, recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 80 games with the Sharks last season. He finished tied for 5th in goals, tied for 1st in shorthanded points (2), and 2nd amongst forwards in average shorthanded time on ice per game (1:47). In 202 career NHL games, all with the Sharks, Tierney has registered 24 goals, 40 assists, two shorthanded goals, and five game-winning goals. During San Jose's run to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, Tierney played in all 24 games and tallied five goals, four assists, and a 33.3% shooting percentage (ranked 1st on the team).

During his 31 career games with the Sharks AHL affiliates in Worcester and San Jose, Tierney scored 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists), a plus-11 rating, and 1.03 points per game.

Prior to joining the Sharks organization, Tierney spent four seasons with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (2010-2014), including helping the Knights to consecutive OHL Championships in 2011-12 and 2012-13. In 2013-14, his final season in the OHL, Tierney led the team in goals (40) and ranked 2nd in points (49) as the Knights' captain. That season he also paced London in playoff scoring (6-11=17) and was voted the OHL Western Conference's Smartest Player in the OHL Coaches Poll. The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Keswick, Ontario was originally selected by San Jose in the 2nd round (55th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

 

Soon after the Sharks drafted center Joshua Norris with the No. 19 pick of the 2017 NHL Draft, his skill set -- physical and mental -- was compared to that of Sharks center Logan Couture. Norris, 18, worked his way up the draft board with a spectacular performance at the NHL Scouting Combine, where he ranked first in five of the 14 fitness tests, including the vertical jump, standing long jump and shuttle run.

"I think you definitely have to push yourself in the weight room," said Norris (6-foot, 189 pounds). "I feel like that's a big reason why I am so athletic. A lot of legs, a lot of core. Not the most fun stuff, but definitely the things you need to be a hockey player."

Norris said he can dunk a basketball pretty easily and shoots in the low 80s in golf. He played shortstop on baseball travel teams during summers in Michigan until he was 13.

"I was pretty good," Norris said. "I wore No. 2 and I thought I was Derek Jeter. I probably could have kept playing, maybe college. I don't know. But hockey was my No. 1, and I had to give it up."

Norris showed off his speed and skill during Sharks development camp. San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer described Norris as real smooth on the ice.

"One of those guys when they're first skating around, the first five minutes, you go, 'He can move,' " Sommer said. "And a lot of guys are like that, and then you put a puck on their stick and they slow down, but he skates the same way with a puck that he does without a puck. You can just tell he's like kind of above everyone else with his skill level."

Norris, who will be a freshman at the University of Michigan, said he prides himself on being a competitive, versatile, two-way player, much like Couture.

"I play all three zones," Norris said. "I play with a lot of speed, a lot of skill. I think I can give you a little bit of everything, in a power play, penalty kill, faceoffs, and I chip in offensively."

Norris, the son of former NHL forward Dwayne Norris, has been preparing for this most of his life. When he was born on May 5, 1999 in Oxford, Michigan, his father, who played for Canada at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and in 20 NHL games for the Quebec Nordiques and Anaheim Ducks, had just finished his third of seven seasons with Cologne of the German League. Dwayne went on to play four seasons for Frankfurt, then served three years as its general manager. Joshua spent most of his first 11 years living in Germany and learning about pro hockey.

"Obviously I spent a lot of time around him and his teammates in the locker room and things like that when I was little," said Norris, who speaks fluent German. "Just kind of getting that feel of the pro lifestyle and what it's all about. But for me, I think he just taught me how to work and how to be a leader and how to be respectful, listening to older guys, kind of what they have to say, because they've been there before you have."

Blues - News Round Up

Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced the club has signed forward Klim Kostin to a three-year entry-level contract. Kostin, 18, was drafted 31st overall by the Blues at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 6'3, 196-pound forward spent 2016-17 playing professionally in Russia, including an eight-game stint with the Kontinental Hockey League's (KHL) Dynamo Moskva. In 2015-16, Kostin tallied 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 30 games with HK MVD Balashikha. Internationally, the Penza, Russia, native captained Team Russia at both the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2016 U-18 World Junior Championships. At the 2015 Hockey Challenge, Kostin posted five points (two goals, three assists) in six tournament games, leading Russia to the silver medal.

 

Brayden Schenn is headed to the St. Louis Blues. The 25-year-old center became a Blue on after general manager Doug Armstrong dealt Jori Lehtera, the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft and a conditional draft choice in 2018.

"We're certainly excited to have Brayden join the group," Armstrong said. :He's got a three-year contract, the last couple years have been his best years and we think he's entering the prime of his career. He's a multi-use player, he can play all three positions and we'll probably start him out at center. He's certainly a guy we can use in the Top 6 and certainly could help our power play. He's a guy we're excited to have."

Schenn played in 79 games for the Flyers last season, scoring 25 goals and 30 assists (55 points). He has scored 20 or more goals in three of the last four seasons and has posted 55 points or more in back-to-back seasons. Schenn was a big catalyst for the Flyers on the power-play last season, scoring 17 of his 25 goals with the man-advantage.

"He's got huge character," Armstrong said. "That was one of the things that attracted us to him. I know people that have worked with him with the Flyers - Craig Berube has worked with him - then I also know people that have worked with him in Hockey Canada. One thing that always comes back is he's a team-first guy. We lost a lot of character in another trade today, and I'm not sure we would have (traded Ryan Reaves) without knowing Schenn was coming back."

In 433 career NHL regular season games, Schenn has scored 109 goals and 139 assists (248 points). Shortly after acquiring Schenn, the Blues also acquired center Oskar Sundqvist and the 31st overall pick in the draft from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Reaves and the 51st overall pick.

After trading one of their first-round picks (No. 27) to the Philadelphia Flyers in a deal that brought center Brayden Schenn to St. Louis, the Blues acquired another one by making a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blues acquired 23-year-old center Oskar Sundqvist, along with the 31st overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, in exchange for forward Ryan Reaves and their second-round pick (No. 51 overall).

"Working with Ryan from the Peoria days and watching him come up, and mature on and off the ice... that was a real difficult one for me personally," Armstrong said. "Getting the opportunity to get pick 31, get a player that we were excited to have, plus another young center ice man… just made it to the point where we had to do it."

Sundqvist made his NHL debut with the Penguins in the 2015-16 season and has played in 18 games for Pittsburgh, registering one goal and three assists. A native of Boden, Sweden, Sundqvist was a third-round pick of Pittsburgh back in 2012. In 63 games with the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton in the American Hockey League, he registered 20 goals and 26 assists (46 points). At 6-foot-3, Sundqvist will give the Blues plenty of size down the middle.

The Blues made six selections overall at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, including forwards Robert Thomas (20th), Klim Kostin (31st), and Alexey Toropchenko (113th), as well as defensemen David Noel (130th), Trenton Bourque (175th), and Anton Andersson (206th). Thomas, 17, played his second season with the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) London Knights in 2016-17. The 6'0, 188-pound forward ranked third on the club with 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 66 regular season games. Thomas also appeared in 14 postseason games, ranking second on the team with 12 points (three goals, nine assists). In 2015-16, his OHL rookie campaign, Thomas logged 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 40 regular season games and five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 postseason games, helping the Knights win both the OHL Championship and the CHL Memorial Cup. Internationally, the Aurora, Ontario, native led Team Canada White to the gold medal at the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. Thomas was ranked 22nd among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Kostin, 18, spent 2016-17 playing professionally in Russia, including an eight-game stint with the Kontinental Hockey League's (KHL) Dynamo Moskva. In 2015-16, the 6'3, 196-pound forward tallied 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 30 games with HK MVD Balashikha. The Penza, Russia, native also captained Team Russia at both the 2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2016 U-18 World Junior Championships. At the 2015 Hockey Challenge, Kostin posted five points (two goals, three assists) in six tournament games, leading Russia to the silver medal. Kostin was ranked first among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Toropchenko, 17, spent the majority of the 2016-17 season as an assistant captain with HK MVD Balashikha in Russia's junior league. The 6'3, 187-pound forward collected 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) and 50 penalty minutes in 45 regular season games, earning a selection to the league's All-Star Game. The Moscow, Russia, native also posted two assists in seven games with Team Russia at the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championships, helping the club earn the bronze medal. In 2015-16, Toropchenko recorded 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 30 regular season games with Dynamo Moscow's U-17 club. He was also a teammate of Kostin on HK MVD Balashikha, tallying three points (one goal, two assists) in 21 regular season games. Toropchenko was ranked 21st among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Noel, 18, split last season between Chicoutimi and Val-d'Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). The 6'1, 172-pound defenseman tallied 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) and six penalty minutes in 29 regular season games with Val-d'Or, as well as 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and 23 penalty minutes in 36 regular season games with Chicoutimi. Noel also made 10 playoff appearances with Val-d'Or, recording eight points (two goals, six assists). Internationally, the Quebec native represented Canada at the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championships, dressing in four tournament games. Noel was ranked 136th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Bourque, 19, dressed in 67 games with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack last season, tallying 11 assists and 36 penalty minutes. The 6'2, 201-pound defenseman also appeared in 17 postseason games, recording two assists and 10 penalty minutes. The Burlington, Ontario, native has spent the past three seasons in the OHL, including stints with Owen Sound and the Sudbury Wolves. Overall, Bourque has accumulated 20 assists and 78 penalty minutes in 153 career OHL regular season games. He was ranked 154th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Andersson, 18, split last season between Lulea's U-20 and U-18 clubs in the Swedish junior leagues. The 6'4, 216-pound defenseman posted three points (two goals, one assist) in 13 games with the U-20 team, as well as 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 19 games with the U-18 club. In 2015-16, Andersson dressed in 24 games with the U-18 team, recording12 points (four goals, eight assists).

The Blues extended qualifying offers to five of its restricted free agents. Colton Parayko, Magnus Paajarvi, Oskar Sundqvist, Petteri Lindbohm and Jordan Binnington each received qualifying offers from the team. Teams must extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents to retain their negotiating rights - without an offer, the players would become unrestricted free agents on July 1. In addition, the Blues also re-signed forward Wade Megan to a one-year, two-way contract.

Parayko, 24, appeared in 81 regular season games for the Blues last season, posting a career-high 35 points (four goals, 31 assists), as well as 32 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-6, 226-pound defenseman has collected 68 points (13 goals, 55 assists), 61 penalty minutes, and a plus-35 rating in 160 career NHL regular season games across two seasons. The St. Albert, Alberta, native was originally drafted by the Blues in the third round (86th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Paajarvi, 26, recorded 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 32 regular season games with the Blues and 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 26 regular season games with the Wolves in 2016-17. In addition, the 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in eight postseason games with the Blues. Overall, the Norrkopoing, Sweden, native has amassed 93 points (43 goals, 50 assists) and 60 penalty minutes in 308 career NHL regular season games. Paajarvi was originally acquired by the Blues via trade from the Edmonton Oilers on July 10, 2013.

Sundqvist, 23, was acquired by the Blues along with a first-round pick from Pittsburgh at the 2017 NHL Draft in Chicago. The Boden, Sweden native has registered one goal and three assists in 28 career regular season games.

Lindbohm, 23, dressed in 52 regular season games for the Wolves last season, tallying 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) and 54 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound defenseman also dressed in seven regular-season games for the Blues, serving four penalty minutes. Drafted by the Blues in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Helsinki, Finland native has posted three points (two goals, one assist) in 40 career NHL regular season games and 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 148 career AHL regular season games.

Binnington, 23, posted a 16-7-3 record along with a .911 save percentage and a 2.71 goals-against average with the Wolves in 2016-17. The 6-foot-2, 177-pound goaltender also made two postseason appearances, logging a 1.86 goals-against average and a .950 save-percentage. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native made his NHL debut on Jan. 14, 2016 vs. Carolina, making three saves in 13 minutes of play. Drafted by the Blues in the third round (88th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Binnington has compiled a 59-41-12 record in 120 career AHL appearances.

Megan, 26, appeared in 73 regular season games for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Chicago Wolves last season, leading the league overall with 33 goals and slotting fourth overall with 66 points. For his efforts, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward was named to the AHL's First All-Star Team. The Canton, New York, native also made his NHL debut with the Blues on Dec. 22 in Tampa Bay, scoring his first career goal on his first career shot. Overall, Megan has appeared in 263 career AHL games, amassing 120 points (67 goals, 53 assists) and 172 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrik Berglund had successful surgery in June to repair a dislocated left shoulder he sustained during his offseason training program in Sweden. Berglund is expected to be sidelined until December.

"It certainly will move someone else in the middle," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "Right now you can go with (Paul) Stastny, (Brayden) Schenn or have the option to go to (Vladimir) Sobotka back in there. (Ivan) Barbashev has played there, the young player we got from Pittsburgh - Oskar Sundqvist - he can play in there. There are some internal options and we'll explore those."

Armstrong also said he could evaluate free agency on July 1.

"We're always looking to see if we can get creative maybe," he said. "We're talking to some potential free agents, but I don't want to get anyone's hopes up that there will be a lot of change to this roster."

Berglund's surgery was performed by Blues Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. Rick Wright, Dr. Matt Matava and Dr. Matthew Smith at the Washington University Orthopedic Center. Last season, Berglund posted a career high in goals (23) and finished with 34 points in 82 games played. For his career, the 29-year-old Vasteras, Sweden native has played in 637 regular-season games, scoring 151 goals and 145 assists (296 points).

Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the Blues have re-signed defenseman Chris Butler to a two-year, two-way contract. Butler, 30, appeared in 72 regular season games for the American Hockey League's (AHL) Chicago Wolves in 2016-17, recording 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) and 46 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound defenseman also tallied six points (one goal, five assists) and four penalty minutes in nine postseason games. A native of St. Louis, Butler has dressed in 388 career NHL regular season games, amassing 84 points (13 goals, 71 assists) and 185 penalty minutes.

Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the Blues have re-signed forward Magnus Paajarvi to a one-year, one-way contract worth $800,000. Paajarvi, 26, split last season between the Blues and the American Hockey League's (AHL) Chicago Wolves. With St. Louis, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward dressed in 32 regular season games, posting 13 points (eight goals, five assists) and six penalty minutes. Paajarvi also tallied three points (one goal, two assists) and two penalty minutes in eight postseason games. Overall, the Norrkoping, Sweden, native has appeared in 308 career NHL regular season games, collecting 93 points (43 goals, 50 assists) and 60 penalty minutes. Paajarvi was originally acquired by the Blues via trade from the Edmonton Oilers on July 10, 2013.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong signed two unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent to new contracts shortly after NHL free agency opened. Unrestricted free agent forward Chris Thorburn will join the Blues after signing a two-year deal worth $1.8 million. In addition, unrestricted free agent forward Beau Bennett will also join the club on a one-year deal worth $650,000.

Oskar Sundqvist, a restricted free agent who the Blues acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins last week along with a first-round draft pick, has agreed to a one-year deal worth $650,000.

Thorburn, 34, brings plenty of grit, heart, toughness and a crash-and-bang style of play along with him. He also never shies away from a good scrap or when one of his teammates needs defending.

"We brought in Chris Thorburn to solidify our bottom-six group after losing Ryan Reaves," Armstrong said in an exclusive interview for stlouisblues.com on Saturday. "Our research says he has unbelievable character... When you have your teammates' backs all the time like Thorburn, you gain that instant respect. He's a big man - about 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds. He's a good fit for what we needed."

Thorburn has played in 12 NHL seasons - 10 of which were spent with the Winnipeg Jets franchise. Last season, he played in 64 games, scoring four points (three goals and one assist) to go along with 95 minutes. In a career that has spanned 750 regular season games, he has 127 points (52 goals, 75 assists) and 908 penalty minutes.

Bennett, 25, is a solid bottom-six forward that is coming off the most productive season of his career with the New Jersey Devils. Bennett posted career highs in goals (8), assists (11) and points (19) in 2016-17. A former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 20 overall), the 6-foot-2, 195-pound forward helped Pittsburgh capture a Stanley Cup championship in 2016. In 194 career regular season games, Bennett has scored 24 goals and 40 assists (64 points).

"When I look at our depth right now, we're giving a lot of younger players a lot of opportunity," Armstrong said of Bennett. "Underneath that, the players that will be in the American Hockey League have very minimal to no NHL experience. We want to make sure - as injuries are part of the game - that we have some experienced players that can help us out as necessary."

Sundqvist, 23, appeared in 63 regular season games for Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the American Hockey League last season, finishing third on the club with 20 goals and 46 points overall. He dressed in 10 regular season games for the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering two penalty minutes. Overall, the Boden, Sweden native has played in 28 career regular season games, recording four points (one goal, three assists).

"We're hoping, with the (Patrik) Berglund injury, he can step right in and get a good look at that third-line center spot," Armstrong said of Sundqvist. "If not, he'll certainly be in our group of 14 to start the season. Like a lot of guys, they have to push and prod to find a spot on our roster.

"His offense came last year in the American Hockey League, and he's another big man," Armstrong added. "Very detail oriented, which we like - a 200-foot player. We hope the offense transfers from what he did in the American League to the NHL, but right now we just want to get him in here and become a dependable player for us."

The Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced that defenseman Colton Parayko has elected for salary arbitration. Parayko elected salary arbitration under section 12.2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). His hearing will take place between July 20 and August 4. In the meantime, Armstrong and the Blues will continue to work on a long-term contract extension for Parayko. All arbitration hearings are decided by a neutral third party within 48 hours of the beginning of the case. Parayko, 24, collected 35 points, including four goals and 31 assists, in 81 regular season games last season. The 6'6, 226-pound blueliner also produced five points, including two goals and three assists, in 11 postseason games.

Colton Parayko isn't going anywhere. Just minutes before an arbitration hearing was supposed to begin on Thursday, the 24-year-old defenseman reached an agreement on a new five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Blues that will keep him in St. Louis through the 2021-22 season.

"I'm beyond excited to reach a new long-term deal to stay in St. Louis," Parayko told stlouisblues.com. "St. Louis has become my home, and this is where I want to be. I'm looking forward to the next five years and can't wait to get back on the ice in September."

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said his top offseason priority was to reach a new deal with Parayko, who in just two seasons has become one of the Blues' most consistent and reliable defensemen. Now, that deal is done.

"With Parayko and Alex (Pietrangelo), (Joel) Edmundson and (Jay Bouwmeester), our top-four is solidified," Armstrong said. "And I think it can compete against any top-four in the League.

"There's a saying that an NHL defenseman doesn't really define himself until about 250 or 300 games," Armstrong added. "He's around 160, so there's still some growth there, some definition going into his game, but he's got all the tools to be a very good player over time, and we're very excited to have him part of our group."

Last season, Parayko played in 81 regular season games, posting a career-high in points with 35 (four goals, 31 assists). For his career, the 6-foot-6, 226-pound defenseman has collected 68 points (13 goals and 55 assists) and a plus-35 rating in 160 regular season games.

"I think we knew we had a special player with what we saw last year," Armstrong said of Parayko's rookie season. "The World Cup of Hockey brought him more national attention…and the World Championships, he went over there and became a big player for Team Canada immediately. It shows that in his age bracket, he's one of the better players."

In 31 playoff appearances, Parayko has four goals, eight assists and a plus-7 rating. A native of St. Albert, Alberta, Parayko was originally drafted by the Blues in the third round (86th overall) in 2012.

"Playing in St. Louis, in front of all those fans who support us on and off the ice - there's no better place to be."