MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – A day after returning Robert Thomas to the lineup, the St. Louis Blues received more encouraging news.
Defenseman Philip Broberg began skating less than three weeks after injuring his right knee Nov. 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs when Leafs forward Mitch Marner fell to his leg in the second period.
The Blues announced that he would be out for 4-6 weeks, but seeing him skating from the start of this four-week period is encouraging.
“’Broby has been really good,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s been on the ice; he’s been skating here by himself. He looks really good. I don’t think there’s a timetable right now, but he’s probably ahead of where we thought he would be. ‘he would be.’
Broberg, who signed a two-year, $9.16 million deal ($4.58 million average annual value) that the Edmonton Oilers failed to match on Aug. 20, had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 12 games to start the season.
* Schenn and Faulk miss practice — Blues captain Brayden Schenn and defenseman Justin Faulk each missed practice Wednesday.
Coach Drew Bannister said everyone had a maintenance day and he hoped everyone could play the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
I hope so, but it’s a maintenance day and I imagine they would be ready for tomorrow,” Bannister said.
* PO Joseph closes — Defenseman PO Joseph, who missed the last three games with a lower-body injury suffered Nov. 14 in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres, has been participating in the skates in recent days and could be an option against sharks.
“I think he’s pretty close,” Bannister said. “I wouldn’t say he’s going to play tomorrow, but I think he’s very close.”
* Leddy remains the status quo – The news regarding defenseman Nick Leddy is…well…no news.
Leddy, who has now missed 16 games with a lower body injury, an injury that hampered the defenseman’s return to training camp, remains sidelined and no one seems to know how long that will continue .
“That’s something I can’t answer for you,” Bannister said when asked about the surgery. “I’d be lying to you if I told you one way or the other. He’s skating. It’s more about him getting on the ice and gaining confidence and strength right now.”
