Jake Neighbours signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. The contract, which begins next season, has an average annual value of $3.75 million.
"Jake the person, Jake the player is someone that I have the utmost respect for," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "He's someone that has the characteristics that we want to build around on and off the ice: a great teammate, brings people together, organizationally together.
"It's an exciting time because he's the type of player that you win with."
The 22-year-old forward could have become a restricted free agent after this season. He has three points (two goals, one assist) in seven games after getting 38 points (27 goals, 11 assists) in 77 games in 2023-24.
“I think it kind puts it out of my head not to think about it,” Neighbours said. “It was a real easy process, it went really quickly. As soon as contact was made, it was a quick deal. It’s exciting for me.
“I love it here. I love the city, love my teammates and the direction this organization is going in. I think I fit in pretty well here. I enjoy playing for the Blues. It was a no-brainer to extend.”
Neighbours was selected by the Blues in the first round (No. 26) of the 2020 NHL Draft. He has 53 points (36 goals, 17 assists) in 135 games with St. Louis.
“He’s going to continue to build on his game,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “I think we’ve seen everything that he does and does at this level and the understanding from him of what he needs to do to have success. … The work has always been there, it will always be there for him, but playing direct and scoring two big goals for us the last two games, that’s the player he is.”
NHL.com independent correspondent Lou Korac contrubuted to this report
