When a hockey player shows toughness and an unconventional brand of leadership, they are rewarded with another start or more minutes. In Robert Bortuzzo’s case, a new contract has arrived mere days after getting into a practice tussle with the young Zach Sanford.
The St. Louis Blues and Bortuzzo agreed to a three-year contract extension on Saturday, solidifying the back end of the Blues defensive core from the right side. Perhaps, it could mean something more. The deal is worth $1.375 million per season, and will run out almost a month after Bortuzzo’s 33rd birthday. That’s a low price to pay for a guy who is slowly accumulating more time and worth on the ice to the Blues.