The St. Louis Blues entered the 2026‑27 campaign eager to avoid injuries, but the unfortunate scenario materialized early. Forward Alexey Toropchenko was forced to leave Friday’s season‑opener against the Dallas Stars and will not return for the remainder of the game.
Toropchenko’s Injury
During the second period, Toropchenko was checked behind St. Louis’s net. The hit came from the Stars’ defenseman Lian Bichsel, sending the Moscow‑born forward to the ice. He required assistance to leave the rink and was seen favoring his elbow as he headed to the locker room.
Known for his rugged play, Toropchenko is considered one of the Blues’ hardest‑working forwards. The fact that he needed help to exit the ice suggests the injury could be significant.
St. Louis will continue the game with only 11 forwards on the ice.
Looking Ahead
The Blues face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. If Toropchenko is sidelined, Zach Dean or Dillon Dube are likely to fill the forward spot. Both players earned roster spots after strong camp and preseason performances and may see increased responsibilities should Toropchenko miss extended time.
Should Toropchenko miss additional games, St. Louis can turn to its AHL affiliates. Nathan Walker is a primary candidate for a call‑up, but Dylan Peterson’s solid preseason showing could also make him a likely addition.
Toropchenko joins a growing list of Blues players sidelined at the start of the season. Logan Mailloux and Tyler Tucker are also out to begin the campaign, each dealing with separate injuries.
Stay Tuned
The Hockey Writers will look to provide updates as they become available.
