The pool of restricted free agents continues to dwindle, as the St. Louis Blues have signed Petteri Lindbohm to a one-year, two-way contract. Lindbohm was the team’s final RFA, and one of only six across the entire league. The financials have not been released, but it would be surprising to see Lindbohm earn any more than the minimum $650K at the NHL level. He’ll remain a restricted free agent at the end of the contract.
Lindbohm, 23, played in just seven games for the Blues last season, and has yet to find a real niche in the NHL. A sixth-round pick in 2012, Lindbohm has just three points to date in his Blues’ career, though has never been expected to contribute much offensively. Instead, his size and strength have been his calling card, mixing physical play with solid positioning in the defensive zone. While there is still some room to grow with a hard shot and fine passing ability, it’s more likely that he’ll continue to play a depth role for the team this year.
He is no longer waivers-exempt, meaning he likely won’t be bouncing up and down anymore and it’s unclear where exactly he’ll play in the AHL. The Blues don’t have a primary AHL affiliate this year after the Chicago Wolves instead signed a partnership with the Vegas Golden Knights. While Chicago will still be the destination for some of the Blues’ prospects, there won’t be enough room for all of them. Instead, some may be spread throughout a few other teams around the league, before the club starts their new deal with the San Antonio Rampage in 2018.