Busy Blues sign Perron, Hutton, extend Allen

The St. Louis Blues wasted little time getting down to business in NHL free agency, signing winger David Perron and goaltender Carter Hutton and extending the contract of top goalie Jake Allen.

The Blues signed Perron to a $7.5 million, two-year deal. He'll count $3.75 million against the cap in each of the next two seasons.

Perron spent last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks and had 12 goals and 24 assists. He's returning to St. Louis, which drafted him 26th overall in 2007. In 570 NHL games, Perron has 141 goals and 191 assists.

Perron helps replace right wing Troy Brouwer, who signed an $18 million, four-year deal with the Calgary Flames.

Allen's extension is worth $17.4 million over four years. It begins with the 2017-18 season.

The Blues got his backup in Hutton, who signed for two years and $2.25 million. That $1.25 million cap hit is a significant savings over Brian Elliott, whom the Blues traded to the Calgary Flames at the draft last weekend.

General manager Doug Armstrong said his plan is for Vladimir Sobotka to return after spending time in the KHL.