Blues sign Steen to 4-year, $23M extension

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Four more years.

The St. Louis Blues announced a four-year, $23-million contract extension with forward Alex Steen on Friday.

"St. Louis has become home," Steen said in the announcement. "I've been here eight years. I've gotten to know a lot of people within hockey and outside hockey here. We seem to be spending less and less time in Sweden to make sure we get our time in here as well. It's been an incredible journey and St. Louis is definitely somewhere I see as home now."

Steen, 32, was heading into the final season of his contract, which pays him $5.8 million against the salary cap. He was one of the big-ticket free agents ahead of July 1, 2017. He's off the board now.

A former first-round draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Steen had 17 goals and 35 assists in 67 games last season. He added four goals and six assists in 20 playoff games, as the Blues went on a run.

"We are extremely excited to have Alexander signed for the next four seasons," said general manager Doug Armstrong. "He has developed into one of the league’s premier 200-foot players and is a key member of our leadership group. He has shown tremendous loyalty to the Blues organization, its fans and the St. Louis community."

The 2016-17 season was Steen's third straight registering 50 points or more. He's a four-time 20-goal scorer and one of the game's best two-way forwards.

Steen underwent shoulder surgery over the summer and has said his recovery is ahead of schedule. He's hoping to be in the lineup when the Blues open their season Oct. 12.