Blues assign three players to AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds

After last night’s 7-3 romp against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a roster trim was expected. Today, the Blues elected to send forward Dakota Joshua, defenseman Scott Perunovich, and goaltender Colton Ellis to the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds. This leave the roster at 26 players: 17 forwards (including injured Oskar Sundqvist), seven defensemen, and two goaltenders. The Blues final roster decisions will have to come at the forward positions.

Joshua and Perunovich may not be gone for long, depending on injury needs. Joshua has impressed since his debut last season as a member of the taxi squad cum regulars thanks to a rash of mid-season injuries. He plays with a physical edge, but is still smart, and has some decent hands. His physicality is something that the Blues haven’t seen for a few seasons, and could be in demand later this year depending on injuries to the regulars and what the team needs.

Perunovich needs playing time. He wasn’t going to crack the top six defensemen for regular minutes this year, and it does no good for him or his development to have him in the pressbox as the seventh guy. He’ll be getting regular playing time in the AHL and, depending on call-up needs, could be back with the Blues this season.

It is starting to look like the Blues final roster spots will boil down to a contest between Klim Kostin, Jake Neighbours, Mackenzie MacEachern, Kyle Clifford, and Logan Brown.