The St. Louis Blues injured list just got shorter. According to Lou Korac, the St. Louis Blues reporter for NHL.com, Blues veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester says he is ready to go, and will play tomorrow night against the Edmonton Oilers. Bouwmeester has missed the first 21 games of the 2017-18 season due to a fractured left ankle he suffered during training camp. Bouwmeester will likely take his spot back on the first defensive pairing with Alex Pietrangelo, who has been paired with Carl Gunnarsson for most of the season.
At one time, Bouwmeester was the NHL’s longest tenured iron man, having played in over 700 consecutive games. Injuries and age have slowed Bouwmeester down though, but his presence will bolster the Blues defensive group. While not a première point producer, Bouwmeester is an excellent penalty killer and good puck mover in the transition game for the Blues.
With Bouwmeester coming back, this means that the Blues have a choice to make in who becomes the healthy scratch. In all likelihood, Robert Bortuzzo is likely going to be the odd man out, as Carl Gunnarsson and rookie Vince Dunn have had solid seasons thus far. Dunn is also coming off of a two-point game in the Blues 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Don’t be surprised if the Blues sit Gunnarsson either though, or attempt to trade him. But having Bouwmeester back should help solidify the Blues defense and they can also alternate in giving either Carl Gunnarsson, Robert Bortuzzo, or Vince Dunn a rest every now and then. Good to have you back, Jay.
