UFA Offer - Ville Lajunen

The St. Louis Blues would like to offer the FEL rookie Ville Lajunen an entry level deal into the NHL.

Terms: 3 years 2.55 million (.850 M/year cap hit)

Reasons:
- Ville will be receiving the standard entry level deal at the maximum cap hit for an entry level deal.
- Ville played well on the Finnish WJC team in 08 and has since been promoted to the senior SM-liiga team Espoo Blues.
- Ville will remain a Blue even if he does leave Espoo considering he would be joining St. Louis
- At just 20 years of age St. Louis would like to develop Lajunen's skills until he is ready to play in the NHL full time.
- Great potential to become a PP quarterback.

The New Jersey Devils offer him a 3 year deal at .950 M per yer

- Learn from top nocth forwards
- Could be on the team very soon
- We promise that he will not be traded for anything

Ville has come to a decision.

He accepts the Blue's offer. The Blues have done thier homework and understand what his goals and needs are. They were also the first to approach him. The money is slightly less but given St Louis's commitment to his long term development he is comfortabe with this short term loss in income.