While Blues fans wait for Vladimir Tarasenko to receive a new contract, the team rewarded Jori Lehtera with a three-year, $14.1 million extension. Lehtera’s current deal wasn’t going to expire until after the 2015-16 campaign, which means he’s now in the mix through 2018-19.
Lehtera's deal is a 3 years, $14.1 million ($4.7 AAV). He will be paid $4.4 in 2016-17, $4.7 million in '17-18, $5 million in '18-19.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) July 1, 2015
Lehtera will maintain a $2.75 million cap hit for 2015-16, but that’ll jump to $4.7 million beginning in 2016-17.
The Blues like what they’ve seen in Lehtera and believe the best is yet to come. He posted 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 75 games last year and often had great chemistry with Jaden Schwartz and Tarasenko. Though Tarasenko hasn’t been locked up, this move makes it look like the Blues believe both Lehtera and Tarasenko will be working together for at least the next few years.
A $4.7 million cap hit sounds expensive right now, but it’s important to remember it doesn’t kick in for another year. Barring any major surprises, the salary cap should continue to extend and Lehtera’s deal won’t seem quite as expensive.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
