St Louis Blues News

Krug is one of the league's best offensive-defensemen and will be a strong replacement for Alex Pietrangelo. Krug will likely skate on the top-pair with Colton Parayko and will quarterback the top power-play unit. His PP production has been elite but that's been on one of the best units in the NHL. It will be interesting to see how much of that carries over to St. Louis. Krug has registered at least 44 points in five straight seasons, averaging eight goals and 43 assists (51 points) per season.

Bjugstad missed 46 games after undergoing core muscle surgery in 2020 and then was hurt again three games after returning to the lineup and then the season was paused. Bjugstad has missed a total of 92 games (39.5%) over the last three seasons but will look for a fresh start in his hometown. Bjusgstad was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and went to the University of Minnesota, so this should be a welcomed move for the 28-year-old centre. Both Mikko Koivu and Alex Galchenyuk are UFAs at season's end, so there could be a very clear path to a bottom-6 role for Bjugstad.

Tucker was a seventh-round pick in 2018 and finished the 2019-20 OHL season eighth among defensemen with 56 points (17G / 39A) in 55 games between the Barrie Colts and Flint Firebirds. He will likely report to San Antonio (AHL) when he turns pro.

McGing was a fifth-round pick (No. 138 overall) in 2018 and finished his senior season with a team-high 35 points (13G / 22A) in 35 games at Western Michigan University. He will likely report to San Antonio (AHL) for the 2020-21 season.

Abramov, 18, was a fourth-round pick of the Maple Leafs this past summer. Abramov has had a terrific QMJHL season, leading Victoriaville with 76 points (35G / 41A) in 63 games.

Bjugstad recently returned to the Penguins lineup after a 46-game absence following core muscle surgery. Three games in, Bjugstad is back on the sideline, out week-to-week with a lower-body issue.

Binnington allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Blues loss in New Jersey last Friday. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for Binnington, who comes into Monday at 20-4-5 with a 2.21 GAA, .918 SV% and three shutouts on home-ice. Tonight he’ll see a Panthers team that has gone 4-2-0 while averaging 3.83 goals for and 3.00 goals against per game in their last six road outings.

Krug was in a few tussles during the Bruins loss to the Lightning on Saturday and is dealing with an upper-body injury heading into Tuesday's game. With Krug out, Connor Clifton will play for the first time since December 29th. Consider Krug as day-to-day heading into Friday's game in Buffalo.