The St. Louis Blues have signed four players, according to a team announcement. They are: forward Mackenzie MacEachern (two years, one-way), defenders Joshua Jacobs and Wyatt Kalynuk (one year, two-way), and netminder Malcolm Subban. (one year, two-way)
MacEachern’s AAV on his deal is a league-minimum $775K, and one would assume it’s a similar arrangement for the other three though there is no confirmation at this time as the team did not release the financial terms of the moves.
MacEachern is the most experienced of the group with 119 career NHL appearances, all coming in his first stint with St. Louis. However, the 29-year-old spent last season in Carolina’s system on a two-way deal. While he only saw AHL action during the regular season (collecting 30 points in 37 games), MacEachern was brought up by the Hurricanes for the playoffs and got into eight games, picking up a goal and an assist.
Jacobs, meanwhile, last saw NHL action back in 2019-20 with New Jersey and has just three appearances at the top level under his belt. However, he has been a capable AHL blueliner for several years now with over 300 games played at that level. Last season, he had ten points and 18 penalty minutes while suiting up for Colorado’s AHL affiliate.
As for Kalynuk, he looked like he could be a part of Chicago’s future when he put up nine points in 21 games back in 2020-21 but has been limited to just five NHL games since then. Last season, the 26-year-old spent time with AHL affiliates for the Rangers and Canucks, combining to put up 18 points in 61 games.
Subban is set to take over as the new third-string option for St. Louis with Joel Hofer set to serve as Jordan Binnington’s backup next season. The 29-year-old didn’t see an NHL action last season for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. Instead, he was the starter at AHL Rochester, putting up a 2.94 GAA and a .903 SV% in 39 games while also playing in 14 playoff contests.
All four players are set to serve as depth options for St. Louis next season with MacEachern, Kalynuk, and Subban projected to be among the top recall options when someone at their respective positions is injured.
what a joke…. the rest of the league is busy tearing up signing players and this is what the blue do….just like the cardinals, sit and do nothing….pffftt.
I don’t know that there is a single FA out there that I would have wanted STL to sign. Not at the price and/or years they got.
Would’ve loved for them to bring Barbie back but that couldn’t happen, obviously. 4 years for O’Reilly is too much.
Granted, they need to move a defenseman.
I agree with everything you said, but also, I’m glad that Barbie got paid. He deserves it.
Not sure what free agent you expected them to sign. They have no cap space. Unless Krug or Scandella are moved in a trade, this is the same Blues team for next season