ST. LOUIS, July 12 -- Keith Tkachuk, a two-time 50-goal scorer, apparently has agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the St. Louis Blues.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Thursday that the restricted free agent has agreed to a contract worth $8.3 million, his salary from last season.
That also is the minimum that the Blues had to offer him before July 1 to keep his rights for next season. The left wing agreed to the deal with the intent of soon signing a multi-year contract.
"I want to sign a long-term deal," Tkachuk told the newspaper. "I know we have the team to win a Stanley Cup. We're going to win the next two years."
Acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes in March, Tkachuk combined for 35 goals and 79 points last season. But he struggled in the postseason, collecting just two goals in 15 games. He did not score in the conference semifinal loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
The 29-year-old Tkachuk has 329 goals in his 10-year career with Winnipeg/Phoenix and St. Louis. He had 50 goals in 1995-96 and 52 goals in 1996-97.
