5 Biggest Priorities for Blues Heading into Free Agency

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

2. Satisfy Sobotka and Schwartz

The Blues gave qualifying offers on Monday to both Vladimir Sobotka and Jaden Schwartz, who are restricted free agents this offseason. If they feel that Sobotka can continue to be what he was last year—one of the more league’s reliable centers in the face-off center, a great physical presence, and a decent offensive contributor both as a scorer and as a distributor—they should give him a multi-year deal. He’s going to need an increase over the $1.4 million he was paid last year, but it’s worth it for the consistent production he’s capable of providing.

There’s not an absolute need to give Schwartz his big payday right now, but he’s one of the team’s best offensive contributors right now and is still improving, so they need to do whatever it takes to make sure that he’s satisfied going into 2014-15.