ST KILDA is looking to extend Paddy McCartin's contract in advance to avoid any extra attention on the No.1 pick next year.

McCartin's two-year deal expires with the club at the end of 2018, but the Saints are keen to move quickly on a new contract with the key forward, who has kicked 22 goals from 22 games in his first three seasons in the AFL. 

The club's list and recruiting manager Tony Elshaug told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast that re-signing McCartin was a priority for the Saints.

"[There's] no doubt that you don't necessarily want someone who's been under such a spotlight to go through that speculation for the year and so forth," Elshaug said.

"To be frank, that would be something we'd really love to do. We're starting to have some good discussions around that with Paddy and his management and put that to bed and get down to football and being the best he can."

Concussion issues and injuries in the past two years have made it difficult for McCartin to establish his place in the Saints' forward line, but with champion goalkicker Nick Riewoldt retiring, a place has opened for the 21-year-old to settle into.

Rivals will watch McCartin closely next season and remain interested in him three years after the Saints chose the power forward with the first selection at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft. But Elshaug said the club's fans shouldn't worry. 

"Paddy's a Saints man and we'd like him to be a Saints man forever. We've got a lot of players that other clubs have made enquiries on just like we would with the other clubs," Elshaug said.

"There's some good players who could fit into our team and it's often a 'No', but that's OK and you have to ask those questions." 

Elshaug said the Saints are also likely to push for an early extension of improved midfielder Seb Ross' deal, which runs through to the end of 2018.

David Armitage has been linked to a possible move away from St Kilda, but Elshaug said the experienced midfielder was contracted to the club until the end of 2019.

"David's been a wonderful player for the Saints," he said. 

"We're hoping he gets back to full health, has an excellent season next year and bounces back, and that will strengthen our midfield as well."

The Saints will head into next month's trade period in a strong position holding two top-10 picks – No.7 and 8.