Blues’ Alexey Toropchenko to Miss Next 6 Weeks

The St. Louis Blues announced on Sunday afternoon that forward Alexey Toropchenko sustained an upper-body injury during Friday’s game against the Dallas Stars. He will be re-evaluated in six weeks.

Blues Lose Toropchenko

Toropchenko was injured during the second period of Friday’s game. He was hit behind the net by two Dallas players. The Moscow native fell to the ice and was favoring his arm and elbow as he left the ice.

The earliest Toropchenko will return is the week of Nov. 15. The Blues play three games that week. Furthermore, that week starts a stretch of seven games in 12 days. The team would certainly like to have a physical presence like Toropchenko back in the lineup for that stretch, but time will tell if he is able to return. Since he is not being re-evaluated until then, it is possible he will still miss some time beyond that.

Lineup Change

Either Dillon Dube or Zach Dean will replace Toropchenko in the lineup. Both entered the lineup on Saturday, as Ross Johnston sat as a healthy scratch. Johnston will presumably return for Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks. That will leave head coach Jim Montgomery to choose between Dube and Dean as to who takes Toropchenko’s spot on the fourth line.

Furthermore, the Blues will need to call up someone to replace Toropchenko on the roster. If they want to add a physical presence, Nathan Walker or Dylan Peterson will be an option. If they would like to add some more centers (and shake up placements on the lines), Oskar Sundqvist or Jack Finley will be options.

Theoretically, the Blues do not have to call up anyone. However, since they started the season with two extra forwards, it is likely they will look to continue that.

Injury Bug Biting Already

Tyler Tucker and Logan Mailloux are already on the shelf. Now, Toropchenko is joining them. The Blues certainly hope the injury bug stops biting.