On July 13, 2022, Robert Thomas signed his 8-year, $65 million extension, giving the Blues a future number one center at a price tag of on $8.125 million. At the time, it could have been seen as an overpay or at least a long-term bet on the future. Thomas had 164 points in 241 games before this signing. During the 2021-2022 season, Thomas broke out for 77 points in 72 games. The Blues were betting that that version of Robert Thomas would continue. 

The bet worked. 

Since Thomas’s extension kicked in to start the 2023-2024 season, Thomas has had 231 points in 216 points across three seasons. Seasons that have included a two top-25 Selke considerations, one top-20 Hart consideration, and an All-Star Game appearance. Doug Armstrong and the St. Louis Blues took a bet that they had a star in Robert Thomas. What they didn’t account for was Thomas setting our Average Annual Value (AAV) ceiling. 

Fast forward to May 1st, 2026. 

The Blues signed Dylan Holloway to a 5-year extension worth $38.75 million, with an AAV of $7.75 million… conveniently under the AAV of Robert Thomas. 

The Athletic gives Dylan Holloway a projected market value of $12.4 million per year with salaries in the range of $10.9 and $13.4 million over the next five seasons. Many factors go into contract negotiations, including injury history and restricted free agency years, but I think one of the most important is the other contracts on the team. Thomas’s $8.125 million deal keeps this and future deals below him. 

Besides Holloway, St. Louis has signed two other long-term, big-money deals since the Thomas extension. Those being Pavel Buchnevich and, more recently, Philip Broberg. In July of 2024, Buchnevich was signed to a six-year $48 million contract extension with an AAV of $8 million. On January 10th 2026, Philip Broberg signed his identical contract of six years and $48 million. Again, both below the AAV of Robert Thomas. Philip Broberg could have easily received $9 million on the open market despite being an RFA. If he were a UFA, he could have been in the $10-$12 million range. From The Athletics article on Philip Broberg’s extension with his agent Darren Ferris, “Hey, if he were a free agent today, he’d probably (be) $9-10 million (AAV),” 

Eventually, someone is going to have to get paid more than Robert Thomas. The cap continues to rise, and money continues to flow into the NHL from different advertising and TV deals. However, this deal continues to look great not only because of how good Thomas has been, but also in how this contract limits the AAV of other St. Louis Blues players.