The St. Louis Blues have announced the re-signing of forward Hugh McGing to a one-year, two-way contract. The restricted free agent will earn an NHL salary of $775K and an AHL salary of $140K in 2023-24 before becoming an RFA again next summer.
McGing, 24, was initially drafted by the Blues in the fifth round, 138th overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft. Last season, McGing played a significant role for the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, suiting up for 71 regular-season games and recording 17 goals and 22 assists, totaling 39 points.
McGing’s strong performance in the AHL earned him a late-season call-up to the Blues’ NHL roster, and he made his NHL debut against the Dallas Stars on April 12, recording zeroes across the board in just 9:37 of ice time.
A rather tenacious and physical presence on the ice with a decent shot, McGing has now played 161 regular-season AHL games across three pro seasons with the Blues, amassing a total of 77 points, consisting of 34 goals and 43 assists. He finished fourth on the Thunderbirds in penalty minutes last season with 66.
Before signing his entry-level contract with the Blues, McGing played collegiate hockey for the Western Michigan Broncos, from where he was drafted after his DY+2 season thanks to solid production. In his 2019-20 senior campaign, he served as the team captain and was recognized as a First Team All-American his senior season, leading the team with 35 points, tallying 13 goals and 22 assists in the COVID-shortened season.
His new contract comes in slightly below the qualifying offer of $787.5K the Blues issued him last month. Next summer, he’ll be due a qualifying offer of $813,750 per CapFriendly.
Forward Alexey Toropchenko, who elected salary arbitration yesterday, is the Blues’ last remaining unsigned RFA.