Blues Sign Demitra

The Blues had until 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon to sign center Pavol Demitra, even though it would push their payroll past the team’s self-imposed limits. Earlier in the week Demitra was offered a raise from just under $4-million to $6.50-million by an arbitrator. The payroll for the 2003-2004 season is now $58.25 million which is over what they expected to spend. Last season the Blues paid out over $60-million in salaries. Demitra led the team in points last season with 93. They open up training camp on September 15.