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Blues sign Schwartz to five-year deal, avoiding arbitration (Updated: It’s official)

Jaden Schwartz

St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz celebrates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

AP

The St. Louis Blues and forward Jaden Schwartz have avoided arbitration.

The Blues have reportedly signed the 24-year-old Schwartz to a five-year contract, worth just under $27 million, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch on Friday.

Updated: The Blues have officially announced the deal. It’s five years worth a total value of $26.75 million.

“He’s part of that core we have moving forward,” said Blues GM Doug Armstrong.

“Schwartz and (Vladimir) Tarasenko, Robby Fabbri, Colton Parayko, Alex Pietrangelo, Jake Allen -- we’re trying to build around these guys. Having Schwartz wrapped up in that group, we know we now have a core that we can build around and try to win a championship around.”

Schwartz, a restricted free agent, had elected for salary arbitration. His hearing was scheduled for next Wednesday.

The reported five-year contract and estimated total value represents an increase in term and substantial pay raise for Schwartz, who had eight goals and 22 points in 33 games in the regular season for the Blues. He was at the end of a two-year deal worth a total of $4.7 million, as per General Fanager.

His season was shortened due to a fractured left ankle that caused him to miss 49 games, before he made his return to the lineup in the middle of February.