The St. Louis Blues have signed forward Alexey Toropchenko to a two-year contract extension with an annual average value of $2.5 million, the team announced Monday.
The 26-year-old winger was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after signing a one-year, $1.7 million deal as a restricted free agent during the 2024-25 season. Players on one-year deals couldn’t officially sign extensions until Jan. 1, so Toropchenko just became eligible.
“It’s always exciting when you get extensions, especially with the St. Louis Blues,” Toropchenko said Monday. “I was drafted by the team, and I’m very proud to wear the Blue Note in front of me. I will continue to leave everything each day on the ice for my team. I’m looking forward to the future.”
Toropchenko has played 27 games this season, with two goals and five points. In 286 games over five NHL seasons, all with the Blues, he has 32 goals and 65 points. He mostly occupies a fourth-line role, but coach Jim Montgomery has shown he’s comfortable moving him up the lineup in a pinch and playing him late in games.
“You’re always happy when a guy gets rewarded, and we keep a nucleus guy,” Montgomery said. “To me, Torpo has earned everything he’s got. I remember (Klim) Kostin was ahead of him, and he surpassed him because of his work ethic. He had the ability to (kill penalties), and he wanted to do that. He had the ability to forecheck and hound.
“I always say he’s the kind of guy who might only score seven or 11 goals in the regular season, but when you get in the playoffs, their line scored more than our other three lines five-on-five because you win with those guys. You need to have skill to get into the playoffs. You need guys like Torpo to win in the playoffs. And because of his penalty-killing and his length and his speed, he helps you win every night in the regular season, too.”
How he earned the deal
Toropchenko has become a staple by being a dependable bottom-six forward who is one of the team’s best forecheckers.
In 2023-24, he had 14 goals and 21 points, leading many to believe that there was some offensive upside to go along with his responsible play. But in 117 games since, he has just six goals and 23 points.
Even with the point regression, Toropchenko fits the mold of a hard-working, low-maintenance player. General manager Doug Armstrong has identified with that type of player in the past, and the same can perhaps be said for incoming GM Alexander Steen.
What does it mean for the lineup and payroll?
With Toropchenko’s contract extension completed, the Blues now have two-thirds of their fourth line re-signed for the next two seasons. In September, the team re-upped with Nathan Walker on a two-year extension ($887,500 AAV).
It’s important business to get done at this time of the year because the Blues have several pending RFAs — a list topped by Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. According to PuckPedia, the team has 19 rostered players next season with $21.5 million in projected cap space.