Blues get some bad news, are forced to make a move

The St. Louis Blues announced earlier this morning that veteran defenseman Torey Krug has been placed on injured reserve and will be reevaluated in six weeks' time.

As a result, the team has called up 22 year old defenseman Tyler Tucker from their AHL affiliate Springfield Thunderbirds.

More from the Blues:

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the team has placed defenseman Torey Krug on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

Krug will be re-evaluated in six weeks.

During his absence, Krug will be designated for the long-term injury (LTI) exception to the salary cap.

In addition, the Blues recalled defenseman Tyler Tucker from the team's AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Krug, 31, has collected 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) and 13 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Blues this season. Currently in his third season with the team, the Livonia, Michigan, native was signed by the Blues as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020. Overall, he has recorded 429 points (83 goals, 346 assists) and 306 penalty minutes in 669 career NHL regular-season games.

Tucker, 22, has dressed in 24 games with the Thunderbirds this season, posting 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) and 45 penalty minutes. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, native has also appeared in four games with the Blues, serving five penalty minutes. Tucker was originally drafted by the Blues in the seventh round, No. 200 overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft.

This is obviously a huge blow to the Blues as Krug has been a big part of their team since singed with them during the 2020 offseason. The 31 year old blue liner earns $6.5 million against the salary cap and, as a result, he has afforded the Blues with some money to spend in his absence. Still, with the asking price for quality defensemen on the NHL trade market, I can't see the Blues replacing Krug so easily. Tucker will earn a fair shot to show what he can do, but I suspect that if the Blues need some reinforcements then GM Doug Armstrong will look to fill Krug's role by committee rather than with a splashy acquisition.