SAD DEPARTURE: St. Louis Blues agree to deal with super star, potentially bringing an end to the Robert Thomas  era.

Defenseman Matthew Kessel has agreed to a two-year, one-way contract extension worth $1.6 million with the St. Louis Blues, according to a statement made by general manager and president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong on Wednesday. The deal is valued at $800,000 on average year (AAV).

The 23-year-old has appeared in 23 games this season for the Blues recording three assists and eight penalty minutes. Kessel has primarily seen action in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Blues’ affiliate the Springfield Thunderbirds where he has scored two goals and added five assists for seven points and 16 penalty minutes.

Kessel was drafted No. 150 overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Blues after registering 11 points in 34 games with UMass in the NCAA. Kessel spent three seasons with UMass, tallying 51 points in 100 games. During the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns, Kessel helped the Minutemen win back-to-back NCAA Hockey East Championships and won the NCAA National Championship in 2020-21 after defeating St. Cloud State University.

The Scottsdale, Arizona product made the jump to pro during the 2021-22 season appearing in 15 games and registering three assists with the Thunderbirds. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Blues last season and appeared in two games. In 25 NHL games, Kessel has registered three points and added eight penalty minutes. Throughout his three seasons in the AHL, Kessel has 43 points in 120 games.

Kessel is expected to be on the second pairing alongside Torey Krug for the Blues’ defensive pairings against the Los Angeles Kings tonight, according Daily Faceoff’s line combinations. The Blues will play back-to-back games against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday after tonight’s game against the Kings.