Tidbits: Eller, Stastny, Strachan, Injury Updates

- Forward Andy McDonald went head-first into the boards Saturday night against Florida, so he will likely be held out of Thursday’s game against the Calgary Flames. Because of that, the Blues have recalled highly-touted prospect Lars Eller from Peoria. Eller, a native of Denmark, is a 6’1” 200-pound center who was selected 13th overall by the Blues in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He is regarded as one of the Blues’ best prospects because of his awareness and aggressive play on the ice as well as his goal-scoring skills. He is expected to be a good NHL player, so Blues fans should be excited to watch this guy, who is a big part of the team’s future along with the other young forwards such as Backes, Berglund, Perron and Oshie. Eller will make his NHL Debut tomorrow night as he takes McDonald’s place. It’s unknown how long Eller will stay up, but I’d like to see him stay even after McDonald returns. The Blues are struggling for goals, and Eller is known for his offensive play, so to me he would be more valuable in this lineup instead of a guy like Brad Winchester who hasn’t done much at all. Just a thought. McDonald is only listed as day-to-day, so it’s good to know that he is okay after that scary incident Saturday night.

- T.J. Oshie is back, after having appendectomy surgery two weeks ago.

- Carlo Colaiacovo and Eric Brewer are obviously both back in the lineup as they have fully recovered and are feeling good.

- To make room for these guys, the Blues have assigned Yan Stastny and Tyson Strachan back to Peoria. Both were impressive in their time with the Blues, but moves like that have to be made, and it’s nice to know that the Blues have good depth players like that in the AHL.

- Defenseman Barret Jackman is still experiencing soreness and is still going to be held out for a little bit. The Blues are taking the cautious route, but Jackman shouldn’t be out too much longer. I would give him another week or two.

Overall, it’s good to see the Blues getting healthy. The only remaining injuries are to Alex Steen and D.J. King who both have broken bones in their wrist/hand. They should be back in December.

With our lineup getting back together, this is what I would look to see once McDonald returns:

Offense
McDonald – Backes – Perron
Kariya - Berglund – Boyes
Oshie – Tkachuk – Eller
Crombeen – McClement – Janssen

Defense
Brewer – Polak
Johnson – Sydor
Pietrangelo – Colaiacovo

Goalies – Mason/Conklin

And when Jackman gets back, he will rotate in as well.

Like I said in the last post, the Blues have to step it up. They have no excuses now, so hopefully someway, somehow, Andy Murray can get them to bounce back.