St. Louis – The Blues confirmed Sunday that forward Alexey Toropchenko, 27, will be out for at least six weeks following an upper‑body injury suffered in the team’s 4‑0 season‑opening victory against the Dallas Stars on Friday.
Injury details
Toropchenko was positioned behind the net when Stars defenseman Lian Bichsel and forward Tyler Seguin collided with him with 16:32 left in the second period. The contact appeared to affect his right shoulder, forcing him to leave the ice. He did not return to the game and finished with eight shifts totaling 5:08 of ice time.
Impact on the lineup
The Blues have already felt the loss, as Toropchenko sat out the following night’s 6‑1 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche. Coach Craig Berube said the player will be re‑evaluated in six weeks, and the team will adjust its forward depth accordingly.
Toropchenko’s contributions
Since joining the NHL in the 2021‑22 season, Toropchenko has recorded 71 points (34 goals, 37 assists) in 325 regular‑season games, along with a minus‑18 rating, 110 penalty minutes, 231 blocked shots and 712 hits. In the postseason, he added two goals, four assists, a plus‑9 rating, 12 penalty minutes, eight blocks and 50 hits over 19 playoff games.
Background
St. Louis selected Toropchenko in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Draft. The Russian‑born forward has become a reliable two‑way player, contributing both offensively and defensively. His absence will test the Blues’ depth, especially as the team seeks to maintain momentum after a strong start.
Looking ahead
The Blues will rely on other forwards to fill the void while Toropchenko recovers. Fans can expect the team to continue emphasizing a balanced attack and solid defensive play as the season progresses. Updates on his status will be provided as the six‑week evaluation period concludes.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
