yardbarker
St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker is anticipated to sit out at least one game at the beginning of the regular season after aggravating a knee injury during practice last weekend, according to Lou Korac of NHL.com. Although Tucker has not yet been placed on injured reserve, his absence from the lineup for six consecutive days makes him eligible for a retroactive IR designation. Such a move would enable the Blues to sidestep an additional roster cut before Monday's opening-night roster deadline. Once Tucker is healthy, the team could activate him at any point, provided there is available roster space.
Lower-body injuries have been a recurring issue for Tucker since he solidified his role as a full-time NHL player early in the 2024-25 season. He was unavailable for the final games of the Blues' first-round playoff exit against the Jets that year, and he also sat out six games late last season due to a lower-body ailment. It remains unclear whether any of those injuries were related to his knee.
Tucker is considered a roster lock, especially with the Blues' roster already trimmed to just 25 players. If he is placed on IR to begin the season, the team would need to make only one more cut—likely third-string goaltender Georgi Romanov—unless Jordan Binnington or Joel Hofer suffer a last-minute injury. Consequently, it appears that 2023 first-round pick Theo Lindstein will make his first opening-night roster and fill Tucker's depth role on the left side, at least for a game or two. Veteran call-up option Calle Rosen, who has not played in the NHL since February 2024, remains with the club and could start the season as a healthy scratch before being placed on waivers once Tucker returns.
Key Analysis
The Blues' handling of Tucker's injury demonstrates savvy roster management, using retroactive IR to maintain flexibility. This opens the door for Lindstein, a promising prospect, to gain valuable NHL experience. Meanwhile, Rosen provides veteran insurance but may soon find himself on waivers as the team navigates early-season roster constraints.
Originally reported by yardbarker.