The St. Louis Blues are suddenly facing a tough stretch of roster adversity, with two forwards sidelined due to unexpected and unfortunate circumstances.
Team President and GM Doug Armstrong announced that 21-year-old forward Jimmy Snuggerud will undergo surgery on his left wrist. The injury, which will keep him out of action for at least six weeks, is a significant blow to a Blues squad that’s been leaning on Snuggerud’s emerging two-way presence early in the season.
Snuggerud has suited up for all 26 games so far this year, putting up 11 points (five goals, six assists) and logging six penalty minutes. While those numbers might not leap off the stat sheet, his play has shown flashes of the scoring touch and hockey IQ that made him a third-round pick. Since making his NHL debut late last season, the Minnesota native has tallied 15 points in 33 career games - a solid foundation for a young forward still finding his rhythm at the pro level.
Adding to the Blues’ injury woes, forward Alexey Toropchenko is now listed as week-to-week after suffering scalding burns to his legs in a home accident. It’s a bizarre and unfortunate setback for the 26-year-old winger, who’s been a physical presence in the lineup.
In 17 games this season, Toropchenko has posted two points (one goal, one assist) and 15 penalty minutes. He’s known more for his grit than his scoring, but his 6-foot-6 frame and forechecking energy have made him a valuable depth piece over his 276-game NHL career, where he’s totaled 62 points and nearly 100 penalty minutes.
With both Snuggerud and Toropchenko sidelined, the Blues are turning to their pipeline for reinforcements. The club has recalled 21-year-old Aleksanteri Kaskimaki from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. A third-round pick in 2022, Kaskimaki brings some offensive upside and versatility to the forward group.
Through 16 games with Springfield this season, the Finnish forward has notched seven points (four goals, three assists). His AHL track record - 41 points in 79 career games - suggests a player who’s still developing but capable of contributing in the right situation. At 6 feet tall and 193 pounds, Kaskimaki has the frame to compete at the NHL level, and this call-up gives him a chance to show where he stands in the organization’s long-term plans.
For the Blues, it’s a test of depth and resilience - two qualities that often define the difference between playoff contenders and teams on the outside looking in. With Snuggerud out until at least mid-January and Toropchenko’s return timeline uncertain, St. Louis will need players like Kaskimaki to step up, and others in the lineup to shoulder a bit more of the load.
Injuries are part of the grind, but how a team responds to them often tells us more than any stat line.