Blues’ Week Ahead: Navigating Injuries, Goaltending Questions, and Trade Winds

The St. Louis Blues face a challenging week ahead, grappling with a series of injuries, emerging questions in the net, and persistent trade rumors as they navigate the Western Conference standings. The team's resilience will be tested as they face critical divisional matchups while simultaneously dealing with internal uncertainties.

Injury Bug Bites Hard (Again)

The Blues' forward group has been hit hard by injuries. The most recent blow is to top-line winger Jordan Kyrou, who suffered a lower-body injury during the game against the Ottawa Senators on December 6. Coach Jim Montgomery has indicated Kyrou will likely be out "week-to-week," meaning he'll miss the entire upcoming slate of games.

Adding to the team's woes, rookie Jimmy Snuggerud is sidelined after undergoing wrist surgery and is expected to miss approximately six weeks. Alexey Toropchenko is also out with leg burns sustained in a non-hockey related incident. Nathan Walker is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks. These absences significantly deplete the Blues' scoring depth as they fight to stay in Wild Card contention. Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbours and Oskar Sunqvist are also currently on the injured reserve.

Goaltending Under Scrutiny

The performance of goaltender Jordan Binnington is under the microscope. While he remains the starter, his consistency has been a concern, with a save percentage hovering below .900. Meanwhile, backup Joel Hofer has impressed, particularly in his recent start against Ottawa where he made 41 saves. This has intensified the debate about ice time distribution and whether Hofer deserves a larger role. Both Binnington and Hofer have save percentages under .885.

This situation has fueled speculation about Binnington's future with the team, with some suggesting he could be a trade target for teams seeking goaltending stability. The Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens have been mentioned as potential destinations.

Trade Winds Blowing

As the Blues hover near the playoff bubble, trade rumors have resurfaced. While General Manager Doug Armstrong may be hesitant to make drastic changes, the possibility of moving veteran players is being discussed. Names like Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk have been mentioned in connection with potential trades. Some reports suggest that Schenn's future with the Blues might not be secure, while Faulk, with a modified no-trade clause, could be an attractive option for teams seeking defensive help. Contending teams could find a fit for Faulk, who has one year remaining after this season on a deal that costs $6.5 million annually.

Jordan Kyrou's name has also been mentioned in trade discussions. With several players potentially on the move, Armstrong faces critical decisions that could reshape the team's future.

Upcoming Schedule

The Blues' schedule for the week of December 9-13 includes:

• Tuesday, Dec. 9 vs Boston Bruins: A challenging home game against a strong Eastern Conference team.
• Thursday, Dec. 11 @ Nashville Predators: A crucial divisional matchup on the road.
• Friday, Dec. 12: Open
• Saturday, Dec. 13 @ Chicago Blackhawks: Another important divisional game.

These games are "four-point games" that could significantly impact the Blues' position in the Western Conference standings.

Wild Card Chase

Despite the injuries, the Blues remain in the Wild Card hunt. As of December 9, they have 29 points, just two points out of both Wild Card spots in the West. Recent wins against Ottawa and Montreal have kept their hopes alive, but the upcoming games against Nashville and Chicago are crucial for maintaining their playoff aspirations.