Blues sign Schwartz to new five-year deal

The St. Louis Blues Friday and Jaden Schwartz agreed to a five-year, $26.75 million contract.

Schwartz became a restricted free agent when his most recent contract with the Blues expired on July 1. The new deal helps both sides avoide an arbitration hearing that was scheduled next Wednesday in Toronto.

Schwartz was the Blues top draft pick (14th overall in 2010 and has spend his entire career in St. Louis, He has twice scored 25 goals or more. The deal will keep Schwartz in St. Louis through the 2020-21 season.

Schwartz missed most of last season with a broken ankle. In had 22 points with eight goals in the 33 games he played. He was third on the team with 14 points and four goals in 20 playoff games, helping the blues to the Western Conference Final for the first time in 15 seasons.

Schwartz was originally drafted by the Blues in the first round (14th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft and has spent his entire five-year career in St. Louis.

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Blues sign Schwartz to new five-year deal."