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Logan Mailloux Injury Hits Blues Right After Strong Camp
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- Logan Mailloux Injury Hits Blues Right After Strong Camp
Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images
It hurts to see a player miss time right when he finally looks ready. Logan Mailloux had a great camp, only to get hurt fighting Cole Smith in the preseason finale. Now the St. Louis Blues must pivot fast. On Monday, the team stated that Mailloux will be out for a minimum of eight weeks at the start of the season. This comes after he was expected to form the top blue-line pairing with Philip Broberg. That plan is gone. The clock starts now.
A Sudden Stop For A Rising Star
The timing feels cruel. Mailloux posted five goals and eight assists last year in his first full NHL season. He played 67 games and showed real promise. But a procedure on his right hand changes everything for the short term. Blues general manager Alexander Steen told reporters the timeline is strict. That is a long time to wait in a tight league. The team cannot just sit and hope for the best. They need bodies on the ice today.
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Steen tried to keep the mood light despite the bad news. He noted that these things pop up sometimes when things are going good and it's not the right timing. That is the cold reality of hockey. One hit can cost you half a season. Mailloux is in a good headspace, and the surgery went well. But the team still has a hole to fill immediately.
The Emergency Call-Ups
The Blues did not wait around. Adam Jiricek, selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, was recalled by them. Jiricek is only 20 and has yet to make his NHL debut. Now he gets the call. Justin Barron was claimed off waivers by the team from the Nashville Predators as well. Barron is 24 and has bounced between four NHL franchises since 2021. He has 18 goals and 34 assists over 208 games. That experience matters right now.
Steen spoke highly of the new addition. "Our scouts have liked his game when we watched him play," Steen said while citing Barron's mobility as a positive. He added that "This is a fresh start for him." Last season with the Predators, Barron recorded nine assists across 52 games. He knows what it takes to play at this level. The Blues need that knowledge now. Tyler Tucker also started the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. The depth chart is thin, but the moves are done.
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Can The New Lineup Hold?
The Blues have to find a way to win without their top pair. Jiricek has the talent, but he has never played a game in the NHL. Barron brings the experience, but he is still figuring out where he fits best. The team lost a key piece of the puzzle before the first puck even dropped. This is a tough test for a young group. The fans will watch closely to see if the rookie and the waiver claim can step up. The next eight weeks will tell a lot about this roster.
