According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the St. Louis Blues have signed forward Ross Johnston. Lou Korac of the NHL reports that it’ll be a three-year, $6MM ($2MM AAV) contract for Johnston. The Blues have confirmed the signing. It will be general manager Alexander Steen‘s first official move after being named to the top chair on Tuesday.
Johnston led the Ducks’ forwards in two of his three seasons with the club. That includes the 2025-26 campaign, when he recorded 107 PIMs through 62 games. Johnston also contributed 14 points and a team-leading 192 hits to the season, while averaging less than 10 minutes of ice time each game. Those marks underscore Johnston’s imposing physical presence, a style brought out through his three years in Anaheim. Johnston recorded 117 PIMs and 139 hits in his first season with the Ducks, nearly half of the 283 PIMs and 355 hits he recorded in seven seasons and 134 games with the New York Islanders. Johnston surpassed both marks this season, combining for 296 PIMs and 465 hits in 173 games with the Ducks.
St. Louis will lean on Johnston as a fourth-line bruiser after trading captain Brayden Schenn – who recorded 138 hits last season – to the New York Islanders at the Trade Deadline. Johnston will join forces with grinder Nathan Walker – who led the Blues with 179 hits last season amd 281 hits in 2024-25.