Krug will undergo surgery to address pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, which will force him to miss the 2024-25 season. According to the Blues, "the decision to undergo surgery was reached following an effort to rehabilitate the injury through non-surgical interventions." In an effort to replace Krug in 2024-25, the Blues signed Philip Broberg and Ryan Suter in the offseason.
The Edmonton Oilers will not match St. Louis' offer sheet to restricted free agent Philip Broberg which means the 23-year-old has signed a two-year, $9.16 million contract with the Blues. Due to the signing, Edmonton has been compensated a 2025 2nd-round pick. In 12 games with Edmonton in 2023-24, Broberg had two assists, six SOG, and a -3 plus/minus while averaging only 11:37 TOI/GP.
Alongside Philip Broberg, Edmonton has decided to not match the two-year, $4.58 million offer sheet St.Louis presented to Dylan Holloway and will therefore lose the 22-year-old forward for a 2025 3rd-round pick. Holloway was Edmonton's 2020 1st round pick (14th overall) and had six goals, nine points and 29 PIMs in 38 games played in 2023-24.
Krug will be evaluated in 6-8 weeks to determine if surgery on his ankle is needed. If he does require surgery he is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 season. The 33-year-old defensemen just completed his 13th NHL season and had four goals, 39 points and a -31 plus/minus in 77 games played in 2023-24.
The Blues selected Jiricek with the No.16 overall pick in this year's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old blueliner spent the 2024 season in Czechia, posting one assist in 19 games with Plzen HC. He also represented Czechia at the World Juniors but played just one game before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss the rest of the tournament.
St. Louis locked up one of their key core pieces on Tuesday as they signed 29-year-old Pavel Buchnevic to a six-year, $48 million ($8,000,000 AAV) contract extension. The Russian left-winger just completed his eighth NHL season and had 27 goals, 63 points, 48 PIMs and 207 SOG in 80 games played in 2023-24.
McMichael took a massive step forward with his game in 2023-24 after Niklas Backstrom was ruled out for the season and earned himself a two-year contract extension worth $4.2 million ($2.1M AAV). The 23-year-old averaged 5:21 TOI/GP more than his previous career high last season which led to his 18 goals and 33 points in 80 games played.
Stancl is St.Louis' 2023 fourth-round pick (106th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blues on Thursday. The 19-year-old left-winger appeared in seven games for Vaxjo Lakers HC (SHL) and had a goal and zero assists at Sweden's top level.
Pekarcik is St. Louis 2023 third-round pick (76th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 18-year-old forward spent the entire 2023-24 season with Dubuque of the USHL and had nine goals, and 59 points in 43 games played in his first season in North American hockey.
Broberg has yet to appear in any of Edmonton's 2023-24 playoff games so far but is expected to make his debut as he replaces Vincent Desharnais for Game 4 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in 12 regular season games and had two assists, six SOG and a -3 plus/minus.
Kaskimaki was St. Louis' 2022 third-round pick (73rd overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday with the Blues. The 20-year-old centre spent 2023-24 with HIFK of Liiga in Finland and had 10 goals, and 17 points in 48 games played.
Carlo missed Monday's morning skate while with his wife to welcome the birth of their son, but he made it to Florida in time for Game 1 vs. the Panthers. Carlo had one goal, one assist, 11 shots on goal, 16 blocks and 16 hits in round 1 vs. the Maple Leafs.
Carlo missed Boston's morning skate due to the birth of his second child but is expected to be a game-time decision for Game 1 on Monday in Florida as he attempts to get to the team for game time. If Carlo is unable to go, Derek Forbort is expected to replace him according to this morning's line rushes. The 27-year-old had a strong opening series vs. Toronto, with a goal, two points and a +2 plus/minus.
Stenberg was St. Louis' 2023 first-round pick (25th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The 18-year-old left-winger just finished his second full season with Frolunda HC (SHL) and had three goals and six points in 31 games played during the 2023-24 season.
Robertsson was St. Louis' 2021 third-round pick (71st overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday starting in 2024-25. The 21-year-old just finished a split season between Skelleftea AIK (SHL) and Brynas IF (HA) where he played in 39 games played.
Johannesson was the 176th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft but has played exclusively in the Swedish Hockey League. In 43 games with Orebrok HK (SweHL) this season, the 23-year-old defenseman scored 27 points (11G / 26A).
Broberg was originally recalled for some defensive depth to start the playoffs but has been loaned to Bakersfield (AHL) on Tuesday to help them with their playoff push. The 22-year-old third-year veteran appeared in a career-low 12 games this season with the OIlers and had only two assists, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus.
The Oilers rested several of their regulars in their season finale on Thursday, allowing Broberg to draw into the lineup but he has been reassigned to the Bakersfield Condors. The 22-year-old Broberg scored 35 points (5G / 30A) in 48 games with Bakersfield this season.
Dean made his NHL debut this season but failed to score a point in nine games with the Blues. The 21-year-old has been reassigned to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), where he has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 47 games this season.
Troy Stecher and Philip Broberg will draw into the lineup on Wednesday as the Oilers will rest Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci in their penultimate game of the season. Broberg has yet to score a point in 10 games this season.
