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Tonight the Blues will be missing T.J. Oshie, David Backes, Vladimir Tarasenko, Brenden Morrow, Vladimir Sobotka, and Derek Roy.
That's half of the top 12.
They may get some help today with the recall of someone fans have been clamoring for. No, not Keith Aucoin. Absolutely not Adam Cracknell. The Blues've recalled one of the AHL's best scorers, Ty Rattie. From the Blues' press release:
St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today the club has recalled forward Ty Rattie from the Blues’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Chicago Wolves.
Rattie, 21, has dressed in 69 games for Chicago in this his first professional season, leading the club with 46 points, while his 29 goals rank sixth in the AHL overall. Previously, the 6’0, 178-pound forward spent four seasons with the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Portland Winterhawks, including back-to-back 100-point campaigns in 2011-12 (121 points) and 2012-13 (110 points).
The Calgary, Alberta native was originally drafted by the Blues in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 2011 Entry Draft. Rattie, who will wear #18, is set to make his National Hockey League (NHL) debut when the Blues visit the Dallas Stars tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Cracknell and Aucoin can replace Morrow and (at the rate he's been playing recently), Roy. Rattie'd be more beneficial if he could add to the team's scoring instead of trying to fill in for two thirds of the top line.
With literally half of the top forwards out and Ryan Miller back in net to regain confidence, I'm not sure how much Blues' fans should expect out of tonight. It could very well be the nail in the coffin of a season full of potential. But it's also our first look at Rattie, so take that as a silver lining.