Justin Faulk Heading To Injured Reserve & Jakub Vrana Recalled From Springfield
Also, criticisms on Armstrong's roster construction & more
Welcome to the THW St. Louis Blues Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Blues writers.
In today’s edition, we have news on Justin Faulk heading to injured reserve, Jakub Vrana brought back from Springfield, and more.
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Blue Note Weekly Audio Report: Two Straight Losses Heading Into New Year
January 4, 2023 by Ethan Carter (Premium THW Substack Content)
In this edition, the Blues lost their final two games of the 2023 calendar year, a few roster moves made, prospects at the World Juniors, and more.
Blues Place Justin Faulk on IR, Recall Jakub Vrana From AHL
January 4, 2024 by Evan Mead
The St. Louis Blues face a setback in their defensive lineup as key defenseman Justin Faulk has been placed on the injured reserve list. Faulk left the game early against the Colorado Avalanche on Dec. 29, and his injury appears more significant than initially indicated. With a vacant roster spot, the Blues have decided to recall forward Jakub Vrana from the American Hockey League, aiming to inject additional energy into the team’s offense and potentially fix their power-play struggles.
Having demonstrated an impressive performance with four goals and four assists in the last seven games with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Vrana earned his recall and is set to rejoin the team for the upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks. If the time spent in the AHL was instrumental in reigniting Vrana’s confidence and enhancing his offensive skills, this could potentially address the Blues’ struggles throughout the season.
Blues’ 3 Up, 3 Down: Hofer, Vrána, Faulk Injury & More
January 4, 2024 by Ethan Carter
The St. Louis Blues had an interesting month of December and now head into the New Year in January with a difficult road ahead. In this edition of Blues’ 3 Up, 3 Down, I will discuss the recent play of goaltender Joel Hofer, back-to-back losses heading into the New Year, the latest from the World Juniors, and more.
Blues’ Poor Roster Construction is the Root of All Problems
January 3, 2024 by Evan Mead
The St. Louis Blues face challenges in the current NHL standings, and the reasons are straightforward: their performance this season has not been stellar. However, examining the current roster construction reveals numerous areas for improvement. General manager Doug Armstrong and the Blues’ front office may consider making moves at the upcoming Trade Deadline (Mar. 8), though several questions remain unanswered. Currently, six Blues players are set to become free agents after this season. While the potential loss of these players could pose a challenge, they aren’t widely viewed as foundational to the team.
The more pressing concern lies with players locked up long-term who are underperforming. This dynamic makes the approaching Deadline intriguing for the Blues, especially considering their prospect pool is brimming with talented individuals ready for NHL action next season. With limited spots on the NHL roster for these prospects, the Blues face the critical decision of how to navigate the situation.