Jake Allen re-signs with Blues

The St. Louis Blues and goaltender Jake Allen have agreed to a two-year contract. Allen gets a two-way contract this year, which will pay him $750k, and next season it's a one-way contract which will pay him $850k. What's the difference between a two-way contract and a one-way contract? A two-way contract allows that player to go to the AHL (American Hockey League) without being put on waivers to be sent down. And a one-way contract the player pretty much is on the team, and if sent down needs to clear waivers to go to the AHL. Allen, 23, was drafted by the Blues in the 2008 NHL draft, overall he was picked 34th in the draft.

Allen's first season was, last season when he played in fifteen game for the Blues. He went 9-4, with one shutout, and finished with a goals against average of 2.46. He also finished with a save percentage of .905, which ranked second among NHL rookie goaltenders. The nine wins made Allen, post the best winning percentage for a Blues rookie goalie in franchise history, which was .692. Allen also became the first rookie goalie for the Blues to win at least nine games, since former Blues goalie Curtis Joseph back in the 1989-1990 season.

I see this as a win-win for both sides. Allen has a chance to be a number one NHL goalie. Will it be with the Blues? Time will tell. The other two Blues goalies, Brain Elliott and Jaroslav Halak's contracts are up after this season. So, that could help Allen make the team for sure after this season, unless one of them ends up traded this season to let Allen be on the team. Allen has proved that he can play in the NHL. I hope he becomes the Blues number one goalie in the future, as I'm sure there are other Blues fans who hope the same. Now the Blues only have two remaining players to get under contract, those two players are defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and forward Magnus Paajarvi.

It's nice to see the Blues almost having their offseason complete.