Blues ink Barbashev to 2-year pact

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed restricted free-agent forward Ivan Barbashev to a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $2.25 million.

Barbashev, 25, recorded five goals and seven assists in 38 games this past season in a bottom-six role. The Blues protected him in the expansion draft.

St. Louis selected Barbashev 33rd overall at the 2014 NHL Draft.

The Blues now project to have approximately $6 million in remaining cap space. They still need to sign fellow RFAs Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Zach Sanford.

The club could also create additional cap space by accommodating Vladimir Tarasenko's trade request.