Blues’ Robert Thomas to return versus Wild following 12-game absence

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas will make his return to the lineup Tuesday versus the Central Division rival Minnesota Wild after missing the past 12 games with a fractured ankle.

Sidelined since late October, Thomas originally sustained the injury in 3-2 loss versus the Winnipeg Jets and was expected to be out of the lineup for a minimum of six weeks. In all, Thomas has been limited to seven appearances this season in which he has registered one goal and five assists for six points.

At practice Tuesday, Thomas was centering the Blues’ top line between fellow forwards Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou, per Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The 25-year-old Aurora, Ont., native is coming off his most successful season with the Blues as in 2023-24 he paced the squad with 86 points counting 26 goals and 50 assists through 82 games. For his efforts, Thomas was chosen to represent the Blues at the 2023-24 NHL All-Star Game.

Originally chosen 20th overall by the Blues in the 2017 NHL Draft, Thomas has spent his entire career in St. Louis where through part of seven seasons he has amassed 87 goals and 234 assists for 321 points in 403 career contests. As a rookie in 2019, he helped guide the Blues to a franchise-first Stanley Cup championship.

In 2022, Thomas agreed to an eight-year extension with the Blues that carries an $8.125-million annual average value, per PuckPedia.

Thomas’ return is a big boost to a St. Louis squad with postseason aspirations. The Blues sit 8-10-1 in the Western Conference and three points shy of a playoff position. St. Louis posted a 4-7-0 record with Thomas out of the lineup.

The Blues have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and have won a lone postseason series since hoisting the Stanley Cup five years ago.