Alexander Steen

When the Blues signed Steen through the 2020-21 season at $5.75 million AAV, they surely were knew about the concept of father time. Steen is feeling it now, as he turned 34 years old in March and coming off his least productive season -- 15 goals and 46 points in 76 games -- since 2008-09. The Blues overhauled their offense this offseason too, which will inhibit Steen from cracking the top six and perhaps knock him out of a full-time, power-play role. The Swedish winger still could play over 18 minutes per night while the younger players adjust to the NHL game, but if (or when) he's relegated to the third line, it'll be tough to start him outside of deeper leagues.

After logging one of his healthiest regular seasons in years -- he played in 76 games, his highest total since 2008-09 -- Steen battled through a broken foot for the final few games of the playoffs. Last season was the veteran’s fourth straight of 50-plus points, which is particularly impressive in the context of his annual trips to the injured reserve list. Even at 33 years old, Steen's still a dangerous scorer when he takes the ice, especially on the power play; he’s posted 16 or more man-advantage points in each of the last four campaigns as well. Another season of top-six minutes is on tap, and with Brayden Schenn having been added to deepen the Blues’ center corps, Steen stands to benefit. Draft him with confidence -- both in another productive season and in the need for a backup option for those occasions when he’s sidelined.

Steen went under the knife in June to repair his injured left shoulder and that means there's no guarantee he'll be ready to go when the puck drops on opening night. The cerebral winger has delivered three-straight 50-plus point seasons and might have hit 60 points for the third-consecutive year had he not missed so much time to injury. Staying healthy has become a real challenge for Steen – his last 80-plus game season was 2008-09. Yes, you read that right. And it's his bruised body, combined with the explosive growth of Robby Fabbri, that will put Steen on the third line (and second power-play unit) when he returns this fall. Heck, he might even stay there most of the season. If Fabbri falters, Steen will move back to the second line. But at 32, his best days are behind him.

Widely viewed as a regression candidate heading into last season after scoring a career-high 33 goals on an unsustainable 15.6 shooting percentage, Steen indeed saw his goal total fall off, but was able to more or less maintain value. Thanks to a surge in his assists, Steen actually delivered two more points (64) than the year before, with 24 of them coming on the Blues' star-studded power play unit. He also did well to shake off the injury concerns that had dogged him in the past, suiting up in 74 games to bring some stability to the Blues' top-six ranks. The 31-year-old is expected to claim a first- or second-line role again in 2015-16, but he could find himself skating next to some new linemates. With T.J. Oshie dealt to the Capitals and coach Ken Hitchcock reportedly entertaining the idea of dropping David Backes to the third line, Steen may need to show some adaptability in order to remain a 60-point scorer.

Steen was undoubtedly a fixture on the rosters of many fantasy league champs last season, as the forward broke out for an improbable 33 goals and 29 assists over 68 games, blowing away his previous career-bests. Given that the unlikely outburst occurred in his age-29 campaign and was aided by a shooting percentage five points above his career norm, Steen is almost certainly headed for some decline in 2014-15, with his second-half regression from last season perhaps already foretelling a dropoff. After racking up 45 points in the first 41 games of the season, Steen was limited to six goals and 11 assists over his final 27 contests, while also missing nearly a month of action due to a concussion. That latter point is not insignificant; Steen’s checkered injury history has cost him at least eight games in each of the previous six seasons. While the extensive playmaking talent around Steen should continue to make the forward a useful asset, given last season’s unsustainable level of production as well as his legitimate health concerns, Steen looks like a prime candidate to be overdrafted in fantasy leagues.

Since his arrival in St. Louis in 2008, Steen has been a steady two-way player who will deliver you about 20 goals and 25 assists in a full season. But beware the injury bug that has hit the last two seasons, particularly the concussion of last season. Still, two seasons back, the 29-year-old center posted a career-best plus-24, so he has the ability to help in the plus/minus category, too. Consider Steen to be a third center on your fantasy squad.

Steen was limited to just 43 games last season because of a concussion and suffered a drop-off to 28 points (15 goals) after two straight seasons wtih 20-plus goals. He returned late in the regular season and played a full-time role in nine playoff games, so there's every reason to think he'll be ready to roll when the season kicks off in October. Steen has played mostly on the left wing for the St. Louis, but now it looks like he'll get first crack at the third-line center job, capably filled by Jason Arnott in 2011-12. Ice time should not be a problem, as Steen is a trusted member of the team who plays both special-team units. In theory, the Blues have enough forward talent to outfit three scoring lines. While not a gifted scorer himself, Steen's savvy enough to get to the right spots. Injuries the past few years have afforded Steen minutes as a top-six forward, so we'll have to see what life is like as full-time third-liner and how it works out for him as a center.

Steen is Mr. Everything for St. Louis. The alternate captain skated on both special teams, played the point on the power play, took faceoffs, skated on the wing and fit in anywhere coach Davis Payne needed him. Steen cobbled together all those roles to finish with a second consecutive 20-goal season, and will operate much the same way he did last season. He showed quite a bit of leadership, coming back from a high-ankle sprain in April to finish off the season for a team well out of playoff contention. He’ll get plenty of ice time in 2011-12.

The former first-round pick's season took off in late December when he started on a run that saw him register 43 points in 43 games -- he finished with a career-high 24 goals and 23 assists for a career-high 47 points. After an early season wrist injury, Steen played mostly on the third line and PK, but his scoring touch (12.7 shooting percent) got him a spot on the power-play unit where he led the team with seven goals in man-advantage situations. He picked a good time to have a career year, and was signed to a four-year contract in the offseason. Steen and newly acquired net-minder Jaroslav Halak are the Blues' longest commitments at this point. That's says a lot about how the organization feels about Steen, who will reprise his role on the third line, while seeing time in on both special-team units.

Steen was looking to shock his career after being traded to St. Louis from Toronto, where he was buried on the lower lines. The Blues' injuries afforded him time on the second line, but he never got it going, scoring 24 points in 61 games after the trade. He'll be no better than a third-liner and penalty-kill guy, which is something we didn't expect at this stage of his career, after his 45-point rookie season with the Leafs. He's still just 25, but he's not expected to get a big opportunity this season.

Peaks and valleys define Steen’s career thus far. He shows flashes of offensive ability and hockey smarts, and then he slips off the radar for 10 to 15 games. He’ll be asked to do a lot more this year and if he can, his eligibility on the left side will make him semi-valuable. Think 65 points at the top end; 50 on the bottom.

Peaks and valleys define Steen’s career thus far. He shows flashes of offensive ability and hockey smarts, and then he slips off the radar for 10 to 15 games. He’ll be asked to do a lot more this year and if he can, his eligibility on the left side will make him semi-valuable. Think 65 points at the top end; 50 on the bottom.

The rookie came out of the gate strong last season and earned playing time at left wing on the top line with Mats Sundin, although a thumb injury and the grind of his first NHL season brought Steen back down to earth and he finished with jus 45 points. A second-generation hockey player (he’s the son of former Jets great Thomas Steen) and a solid two-way player mature beyond his years, he’s better positioned to avoid a sophomore slump than most, and Sundin still lacks dependable linemates – a spot alongside the Leafs’ captain could mean 60 points or better for Steen.

Steen is a rarity -- a Leafs' first-rounder still in the system. He's a good little playmaker and like most Swedes, has a good understanding already of what it takes to play in both ends of the arena. He's destined for the AHL this year but watch him carefully. He could be playing with the big club in a couple short years.