Ross Johnston had 14 points in 62 games for the Ducks in 2025-26. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
July 1, 2026 Updated 10:18 pm EDT
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues announced on Wednesday that they have signed free agent forward Ross Johnston to a three-year contract with a $2 million average annual value.
Johnston, 32, is a 6-foot-5, 232-pound forward who has played 307 games in the NHL. He played the 2025-26 season with the Anaheim Ducks and had three goals and 14 points in 62 games.
The Blues came into the offseason wanting to add toughness to their lineup, and it was a top priority of new general manager Alexander Steen.
Alexander Steen takes over as Blues GM
Jeremy Rutherford
They added some with the trade for Mason McTavish but nothing like what they’ll get from Johnston. He’s one of the tougher customers in the league, in terms of taking on the top enforcers in the league. In 2025-26, his fight card featured bouts against Luke Schenn, Dylan McIlrath, Liam O’Brien, A.J. Greer, Tanner Jeannot, Michael McCarron and Ryan Reaves.
In his 307 NHL games, Johnston has 579 penalty minutes, including a career-high 117 in 2023-24.
When in the Blues’ lineup, the veteran will play the wing on the fourth line, which could take the place of Alexey Toropchenko or Nathan Walker. In his three seasons with Anaheim, he averaged 57 games per season, so he hasn’t been a regular in the lineup, and that’s how he’ll be used in St. Louis.
Jul 2, 2026
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