Projecting Jimmy Snuggerud’s Next Contract With the St. Louis Blues – The Hockey Writers – St Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues have a decision to make regarding Jimmy Snuggerud, and the cost could change significantly over the next few months. Snuggerud is entering the final season of his entry-level contract after putting together a strong rookie campaign in 2025-26.

The 22-year-old winger recorded 21 goals and 30 assists in 70 games, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team while finishing fifth in Calder Trophy voting. He became one of the most promising young players on St. Louis’ roster, and another step forward could put him in position for a substantial payday.

The timing matters. Teams have shown they are willing to commit major money to young players before they reach their prime, and Snuggerud is entering the exact stage of his career when those conversations become important.

Young NHLers Are Getting Paid

Recent signings offer a glimpse of what could be waiting for Snuggerud. On Tuesday, the Anaheim Ducks signed Cutter Gauthier to a six-year, $81 million contract with a $13.5 million average annual value. The 22-year-old scored 41 goals and finished with 69 points in 76 games last season before adding 12 points in 12 playoff games.

Gauthier is coming off a bigger offensive season than Snuggerud, so it is not a direct comparison. It does, however, show how much teams are willing to invest in young forwards when they believe those players can become long-term offensive leaders.

Connor Bedard provides an even better example. The Chicago Blackhawks signed their 21-year-old captain to a five-year, $75 million extension earlier this summer, giving him a $15 million annual value. Bedard recorded 75 points in 69 games last season, putting him in a tier above Snuggerud, but his contract is another indication of how quickly the market has risen for young talent.

Snuggerud might not offer the same production yet, but he does offer something valuable to the Blues, which is another year to establish himself before his next contract is determined. If management believes his 51-point rookie season is only the beginning, there is a financial incentive to reach an agreement before his value rises further.

A Five or Six-Year Deal Makes Sense

The length of Snuggerud’s next contract will also look different under the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement. The maximum term for an extension dropped from eight years to seven on Wednesday, while a player signing with a new team can receive a maximum of six years.

That removes the eight-year structure that would have allowed the Blues to spread more money over a longer period. A five- or six-year deal now seems a more natural fit for both sides. A six-year, $54 million contract would give Snuggerud a $9 million average annual value, a major increase from his entry-level deal, but it would also give St. Louis control of a young winger through his age-28 season.

From Snuggerud’s perspective, the contract would provide long-term security while still allowing him to reach free agency relatively early in his career.

The $9 million range also accounts for what Snuggerud has accomplished without treating him like an established superstar. He has one full NHL season on his resume, but his production gives the Blues enough evidence to believe he could become a much more productive player.

A five-year contract at the same annual value would come to $45 million and give Snuggerud another opportunity to negotiate while still in his prime. Six years would provide more security and give management another season of control, making that term an attractive middle ground.

Waiting Could Push the Price Higher

The biggest variable is what Snuggerud accomplishes this season. The Blues could negotiate now when his value is based partly on projection, meaning they could try to secure a top-six winger before he has the opportunity to turn into a much more expensive player. The risk is that the team would be committing significant money before knowing exactly how high his ceiling is.

Waiting carries the opposite risk. Snuggerud showed considerable growth during his rookie season. From Jan. 24 through the end of the regular season, he led all NHL rookies with 14 goals, 22 assists and 36 points. After the Olympic break, he produced 27 points in 25 games, including 11 goals and 16 assists.

If that production carries over and Snuggerud turns 51 points into 70 or 80, a $9 million projection becomes harder to justify. A player entering negotiations after establishing himself as a legitimate top-line scorer has considerably more leverage than one coming off his first NHL season.

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic previously reported that Snuggerud could command more than $10 million annually on his next contract. If he takes a significant step this season, that figure would become much easier to predict within the broader market.

The Blues’ decision ultimately comes down to how much confidence they have in Snuggerud’s development. Paying now means accepting some uncertainty to potentially avoid a larger bill later. Waiting provides another season of information, but a breakout would likely make the eventual extension more expensive.

The Projection

At this stage, six years at $9 million per season is a reasonable projection for Snuggerud’s next contract. The total value would be $54 million, giving him a significant raise while keeping the commitment below the contracts recently handed out to the league’s most productive young stars.

That projection could easily change once the season begins. Snuggerud has already shown he can produce at the NHL level, and another strong campaign would give him a much stronger negotiating position. If he becomes a 70-point player and establishes himself as one of St. Louis’ primary offensive options, a contract around $10 million annually would become a realistic possibility.

That is what makes the timing of the negotiation so important. The Blues have seen enough from Snuggerud to consider a significant commitment, but this season will likely determine whether $9 million looks like a long-term bargain or an opening bid that was not going to last.