St. Louis Blues: What Ever Happened To Petteri Lindbohm?

The St. Louis Blues had earmarked Petteri Lindbohm as a defender with a definite future with the team. Things definitely did not go according to plan for the Finn.

The St. Louis Blues seemed like they had plans for Petteri Lindbohm just a few short seasons ago. Perhaps he was not destined for NHL greatness, but he seemed like he was on the verge of being a regular in the league. My, how things have changed.

Lindbohm went from knocking on the door to practically being put on the side of a milk carton. If you don’t understand that reference, I apologize. Basically, he just disappeared.

Lindbohm is still around, but things just seem to have been against him from the start after a good beginning to his story. Now, he’s having to fight his way back just into the AHL.

The Blues first brought Lindbohm up from the minors during the 2014-15 season. He ended up being a very solid player.

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He played in 23 games that season. While he was not an offensive dynamo, he showed an ability and willingness to shoot and a decent passing game.

Lindbohm ended that season with two goals and three points. He also finished that season wit 26 hits and 22 blocks, each averaging around one per game. Not spectacular stats, but good enough.

The plan going into the next season was to give him every opportunity to make the team. In fact, Lindbohm was all but penciled into the roster for 2015-16. That is when the stars started to align in other ways.

First, Lindbohm ran into two very large road blocks by the names of Colton Parayko and Joel Edmundson. Both were relative unknowns, outside of the deep circles of Blues fandom. However, they both had fantastic camps and earned spots on the team. Even crusty veteran-loving Ken Hitchcock could not hold them off.

In the end, there just was not room for Lindbohm. Neither player struggled enough to even think about a demotion and they were both relatively healthy. There were not many injuries on the blue line for the team that season, so Lindbohm only saw 10 games in the NHL for 2015-16.

Things got even shakier from thereon out. Lindbohm was somewhat of an afterthought by 2016-17. He was briefly called up for some spot duty with the Blues, but only saw game action seven times.

A few knocks and bruised kept him out of the AHL for a bit as well. He played in 52 games but only mustered 16 points. Again, that’s not terrible, but it doesn’t scream to the NHL bosses for a promotion.

If 2016-17 was bad, then 2017-18 was worse. Lindbohm got absolutely no NHL action. What was sad was the fact the Blues could have actually used him.

St. Louis had some serious injuries at various times through the season. However, Lindbohm spent most of the season on the sideline.

As seems to be a theme with Blues players, he suffered a shoulder injury that would require surgery in January. So, Linbohm only featured in 23 AHL games last season, with three points, and saw no NHL games – unless he was watching on TV.

So, now the question is what does his future hold? Lindbohm is only 24.

Do the Blues still expect to get a decent NHL career out of him? He has not played a non-preseason game for the team in almost two years. They might need to decide that sooner rather than later as he is a restricted free agent this summer.

Lindbohm might still have a fugure with the team. Carl Gunnarsson and Jay Bouwmeester can’t/won’t play forever. Their absence would open a spot Lindbohm, who does shoot from the left side.

However, the team has high hopes for Jake Walman and he shoots from the left-hand side as well.

Next: Blues Fans Should Prepare For Summer Disappointment, In Case

So, it seems as though Lindbohm’s window is not closed, but it may never fully open again. Maybe we will see him suit up in the blue note full time one day.

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