Steen has shoulder surgery, to be reevaluated in four months

Forward was initially injured Match 20 at Arizona, played through 

injury during Stanley Cup Playoffs; will miss World Cup of Hockey 

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Blues left wing Alexander Steen had successful shoulder surgery on Friday, the Blues announced, and he will be reevaluated in 16 weeks.

Steen dislocated his left shoulder following a collision with Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton on Feb. 20 and crashed into the corner boards that forced him to miss 15 games. He returned for the final six regular season games and played all 20 games for the Blues in the playoffs, who reached the Western Conference Final and lost in six games to the San Jose Sharks.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Blues forward Alexander Steen (20) had successful shoulder

surgery on Friday that will sideline him a minimum 16 weeks.

When Steen is initially reevaluated, it will take him into the first week of October and force him to miss the start of not only training camp but also the World Cup of Hockey, which begins on Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 1.

Steen finished second on the team behind Vladimir Tarasenko in points (52); he had 17 goals and 35 assists in 67 games and had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in the playoffs. 

Steen, who was initially selected to play for Sweden, was routinely matched up against the top players in the playoffs, including Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round and Jamie Benn, Patrick Sharp and Cody Eakin of the Dallas Stars in the second round and at times, Jason Spezza.

Steen will enter the 2016-17 season in the final year of a three-year, $17.4 million extension and make $6.5 million, a contract he initially signed in during the 2013-14 season.