Bleedin' Blue
Fansided

St. Louis Blues Can’t Catch A Break From Injury

By Todd Panula

May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) attempts a save against San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) during the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) attempts a save against San Jose Sharks right wing Joonas Donskoi (27) during the third period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The St. Louis Blues thought they had their lineup settled upon going into 2016-17. They may have to think again after their final preseason game.

Just when you think you have the St. Louis Blues lineup figured out, guess again. A team with issues to start with may have just gotten thinner.

Jake Allen went down late in the first period of the team’s final preseason game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He would finish the period, but could not resume play in the second.

Now, before we all explode and start bringing up names that aren’t on the roster anymore or going on about the season being over, let’s be calm for now. The Blues have not said anything about the injury and nobody knows anything for sure.

As of right now, everything is conjecture. Still, whether it’s a period missed or a week or more, the Blues are picking up right where they left off in 2015-16.

The Blues lost an ungodly amount of man-games to injury last year. It was through sheer force of will that the team did not buckle under the weight of the players lost.

It did help that players always seemed to be returning from injury when someone else would go down, but you could count on one hand the players that saw every game of the season. If the same thing is already beginning this year, it could be a very long season.

More from Bleedin' Blue

Count me among the people, however few or less vocal we are, that think this team is still a contender. Nobody thought last year’s team was going as far as they did at the start of the year, so it’s pointless to heap disappointment on this team already.

That said, even I can’t bury my head in the sand and act as though this team has the depth of the one that went to the Western Conference Final. That’s why adding Nail Yakupov was such a big trade. It gave the team more options for situations just like the one they are in.

Jaden Schwartz is already out after an injury in practice. While the timetable of his return is extremely unclear, the Blues were already depending on players to step up in his absence.

The addition of Yakupov was supposed to alleviate fears going into the season. He was going to allow the team to keep certain lines together to start.

Now, things just feel different. Yes, the forward lines should remain the same.

However, if the Blues are already depending on Carter Hutton, it’s bit scary. He was brought in to play 20-30 games, not shoulder the load.

Again, we don’t know what is ailing Allen, but if it’s a knee that is an issue. Knees are notorious for goaltenders and Allen has already had issues.  Based on the footage, our best hope is it is an ankle and just a tweak.

I have every confidence that Hutton can play well. Still, he’s a backup. He isn’t going to lead this team to the finals.

Next: Possible Blues Line Combos Without Schwartz

It’s just one odd thing after another for the Blues. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Unfortunately, that usually means bad things for St. Louis.

The only thing that is for sure right now is the Wolves phone lines are probably heating up.  Expect Pheonix Copley or Jordan Binnington to get a call soon, even if just for precaution.

Home/Editorials