Forward has not played since tearing his right ACL March 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights; Leddy to travel; Toropchenko close to return; Neighbours OK after maintenance day Wednesday
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The St. Louis Blues were receiving bad news regarding Robert Thomas and his injury, they got some good news in the form of Oskar Sundqvist, who was activated off injured reserve on Wednesday.
Sundqvist isn't expected to make his season debut when the Blues (4-3-0) begin a four-game trip against Craig Berube and the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the forward did travel and there’s a good chance he gets into the lineup at some point on the trip.
Sundqvist, who signed a two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million average annual value) exactly 17 days prior to being injured, has been a regular participant on skates since the beginning of training camp Sept. 19. It was just last week when he was cleared for contact.
Blues coach Drew Bannister said Sundqvist and defenseman Nick Leddy, on injured reserve himself with a lower-body injury who’s missed the past three games, would be on the trip.
Sundqvist, 30, is entering his seventh season with the Blues. Last season he played in 71 regular-season games and had 21 points (six goals, 15 assists). Overall, Sundqvist has played in 426 career NHL regular-season games and had 144 points (56 goals, 88 assists).
Other injury news, Jake Neighbours took a maintenance day on Wednesday but Bannister said he is fine. Sundqvist actually skated in his place on a line with Brandon Saad and Brayden Schenn on Wednesday.
Also, Alexey Toropcheko, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury, practiced in full Wednesday and could return Thursday. He was on the fourth line with Radek Faksa and Kasperi Kapanen, with Nathan Walker as the extra forward.
"Yesterday was a morning skate," Bannister said of Toropchenko. "Today was the first skate that there was some bumping and grinding since his injury. He looks good. I think he’s very close to playing."
