After sustaining a hand injury during the first preseason game this year, St. Louis Blues forward Alexander Steen has been cleared by team doctors and is set to return to the team. Steen practiced fully with the team today, but head coach Mike Yeo has not said whether or not Steen will play on Wednesday, when the Blues take on the Chicago Blackhawks at home. Yeo said it would be dependent on how Steen’s hand felt after his full skate with the team today.
Steen could help boost a Blues offense that has been rather lackluster over the last two games. The Blues have dropped two straight after starting 4-0-0, and have only scored three goals over the two losses. Steen, who in the playoffs manned the point alongside Colton Parayko on the power play, could help bolster the Blues power play who is only two for their last 12 opportunities.
Steen has been a mainstay on the Blues offense since being traded to the team back in 2008. Steen has recorded at least 47 points every season with the Blues in which he has played 60 games or more. Despite getting older, as he will be turning 33 during the season, Steen has still produced at a steadily rate for the Blues, recording 229 points in 285 games over the last four seasons. Steen has also logged 31 points in 61 playoff games for the Blues.
Steen is the first of many Blues players to return from injury this season. The injury bug has bit the team hard already. They have already lost Robby Fabbri once again for the season and Jay Bouwmeester (ankle) still isn’t skating yet, but is on pace to recover as expected. Patrik Berglund (shoulder) has been doing some skating as well, but his return is not exactly scheduled to happen soon. Zach Sanford (shoulder) suffered an injury during training camp, and likely will not return until midseason, if that. Steen is the first of the injured bunch to return, and has the chance to impact the team immediately.
