St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas is set to sign a big-money deal that will keep him with the team for the long haul. Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Blues, forward Robert Thomas nearing eight-year, $64M extension

NHL free agency officially begins on Wednesday. With that, the St. Louis Blues are reportedly looking to lock up one of their young stars for the rest of the decade before he can hit the market.

Thomas was selected by the Blues with the 20th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and registered nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points in 70 games as a rookie during the 2018-2019 season in which St. Louis won the Stanley Cup. He finished with 42 points in 66 contests during the 2019-2020 campaign, but dropped to just 12 points across 33 games in the 2020-2021 season.

The recently turned 23-year-old Thomas broke out with career highs across the board in goals (20), assists (57) and points (77) in 72 games last season and recorded a career-best plus-minus of 17 as well. Thomas ended the year first on the Blues in assists and second in points.

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