this. although people were saying he would cost 6-7 million a year for 8 years after his hot start. so I'm happy with the cap hit. and Steen has really just elevated his game since the playoffs last year and I'm not convinced his start was just a hot streak, I think it was a hot streak on top of his improvement.
His game is BETTER than it was when he was scoring just 50 points. Also, with the current success, together with Backes and Oshie, I think that line will stay together over those 3 years. That will mean continued growing chemistry between them, and continuing good production. I see him scoring 40+ goals this season, and NOT dropping back to the mid 20s for the 3 following seasons.
I see him dropping into the 29-36 goal 65-70 point range, scoring less goals, but more assists on Oshie's and Backes' increase in goal scoring. He hasn't suddenly developed a better shot. He and his linemates have learned to play in Hitch's system, and are getting more and more comfortable in it, and also learning each other's moves and tendencies.
They were bound to get better. He's a bargain at this price, at the height of his prime, given all that he does for The Blues.
