The St. Louis Blues are keeping one of their gritty forwards in the fold for the foreseeable future. On Wednesday, Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced that the team has signed Nathan Walker to a two-year contract extension valued at $1.775 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of $887,500.
The deal ensures that Walker, a fan favorite known for his physical play and relentless energy, will remain with the Blues through the 2026-27 season. At 31 years old, the Cardiff, Wales native continues to prove his value as a depth forward who brings toughness and scoring touch to the bottom six.
Last season, Walker suited up for 73 regular-season games, marking a significant presence in the lineup. He notched a career-high 16 points, split evenly between eight goals and eight assists. But it was his physicality that truly stood out. Walker led the Blues with 63 penalty minutes and a whopping 281 hits that help set him up as that fan favorite who disrupts opponents and continually energizes his teammates.
His efforts not only pay dividends but also throughout the postseason. This past season, Walker shared the team lead with three goals during the Blues' first-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets.
The upcoming 2025-26 campaign will be Walker's seventh with the Blues organization. He originally joined St. Louis as a free agent on July 1, 2019, after stints with other NHL teams. Over his career, the Australian international has appeared in 229 regular-season NHL games, accumulating 56 points (28 goals and 28 assists) along with 122 penalty minutes.
Walker's journey to the NHL is as unique as his background. Born in Wales and representing Australia on the international stage, he broke barriers as the first Australian to play in the league. His crowning achievement came early in his career when he was part of the Washington Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup-winning squad.
This extension comes at a pivotal time for the Blues, who are looking to build on their recent playoff appearance and push deeper into contention. Walker's blend of grit, scoring, and leadership makes him an underrated piece in maintaining the team's hard-nosed identity.
As the Blues gear up for training camp, fans can look forward to more bone-crushing hits and clutch performances from No. 26. With this deal, St. Louis solidifies its forward depth and rewards a player who's become synonymous with Blues hockey.