Blues put Colaiacovo on IR, claim Chorney off waivers

Team opts not to bring up another d-man from Peoria

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues made a couple roster moves on Tuesday, placing defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on injured reserve and claiming former Edmonton defenseman Taylor Chorney off waivers.

Colaiacovo was injured in the Blues' season opener against Nashville on Saturday. He went into the back boards in the Blues' zone after catching a stick in his skates from the Predators' Blake Geoffrion. Some are saying Colaiacovo caught a knee to the head in the collision and thus needed to be helped off the ice with 6 minutes 44 seconds remaining.

(AP)

Carlo Colaiacovo (left) battles Nashville's Colin Wilson in

Saturday's season-opener. 

There was some hope Colaiacovo would be able to play against Calgary Monday, but that was not the case. Kent Huskins was inserted into the lineup in Colaiacovo's place.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said Colaiacovo is still experiencing some headaches and he will be held off the ice until those subside, per NHL protocol.

"He won't be ready for the next couple of games, so we put him on the IR," Armstrong said. "He's still suffering from some headaches right now. Once those are are gone, he can get back on the ice."

Armstrong wouldn't use the word concussion and that it's too soon to determine how much time Colaiacovo will miss, but it's pretty evident that it's along the lines of a concussion.

"It's symptoms right now," Armstrong said. "Carlo's had concussions in the past and he does have headaches right now, so we're just keeping him off the ice until those subside."

The Blues went after Chorney, 24, who was drafted by Edmonton in the second round (36th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Chorney posted one goal and added three assists in 12 games with the Oilers last season while also posting 16 points (13 assists) with the Oklahoma City Barons of the AHL. He has 56 games of NHL experience and had one goal and six assists in that time but is also minus-30.

"Obviously with Carlo's situation, it gives us an opportunity to look at a player we liked obviously," Armstrong said of Chorney. "Our staff liked him as an amateur. Our pro scouts have seen him.

"He's a good-skating, first-passpuck player that we thought would give us an opportunity to take a look at him here when we have the roster space available. He'll come in here and be ready to be at practice tomorrow and be on the road with us."

Chorney, who hails from Thunder Bay, Ontario, is 6-foot-1, 189 pounds and played collegiately at the University of North Dakota from 2005-08 with current Blues T.J. Oshie and Chris Porter.

(Getty Images)

The Blues claimed Taylor Chorney (right) off waivers from Edmonton.

"He's a great-skating defenseman and a great guy off the ice," Oshie said by text. "Couldn't be more excited that he'll be joining us."

The Blues opted not to bring someone up from Peoria, particularly Ian Cole, who the team feels needs to play games and grow.

"This presented itself and we felt it was the best way to go," Armstrong said. "... Chorney just keeps that depth there that we think we're going to need.

"He's a young player. Porter and Oshie have played with him. He represented Team USA at the World Juniors and the Under 18s. Obviously a relatively high draft pick. ... Still a young player we believe it was worth the risk of bringing him in and taking a look at."