Blues Sign Roman Polak to Five-Year Contract

The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have signed defenseman Roman Polak to a five-year contract extension worth $13.75 million. The annual cap hit of the deal will be $2.75 million. He would have been a restricted free agent on July 1. In 55 games this past season, he had three goals and nine assists for 12 points. He missed 26 games throughout the season with wrist and foot injuries. In 227 career NHL games, all with St. Louis, he has eight goals and 41 assists for 49 points. Not a bad depth signing for the Blues, as Polak has decent size and has good shutdown skills for a defenseman. However, the length and price of the contract seems a bit high for Polak. The Blues probably would have been better off signing him to a shorter term contract for less money to see how he continues to develop before committing to him long-term.