Blues can’t have anything nice, lose Robert Thomas to IR

Robert Thomas has been having a strong rookie campaign. In 37 games, he has five goals and nine assists; his fifth goal came as part of the Blues’ 4-1 victory over the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, he slid shoulder-first into the boards during the first period and did not return to the game. The Blues placed him (as well as forward Tyler Bozak, who has already missed multiple games with a concussion) on IR last night:

(Jan. 11, 2019) – St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General ManagerDoug Armstrong announced today the Blues have placed forwards Tyler Bozak(concussion) and Robert Thomas (shoulder) on injured reserve (IR).

Bozak, 32, has dressed in 39 games this season, posting 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) and 10 penalty minutes. The 6’1, 199-pound forward was originally signed by the Blues as a free agent on July 1, 2018. Overall, the Regina, Saskatchewan, native has amassed 383 points (142 goals, 241 assists) and 192 penalty minutes in 633 career National Hockey League (NHL) regular-season games.

Thomas, 19, is currently in his NHL rookie season and has tallied 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and eight penalty minutes in 37 appearances. The 6’0, 188-pound native of Aurora, Ontario, was originally drafted by the Blues in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Thomas’s TOI has been increasing as his play’s improved - he spent over 16 minutes on ice against the New York Islanders, and 14:20 against the Washington Capitals. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the start of the four game road-trip, which begins tonight in Dallas.