Steen has high ankle sprain, placed on IR

Veteran forward will be re-evaluated in four weeks 

after injury late in second period of win at Edmonton

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The injury bug bit the Blues again to a key veteran.

They announced on Thursday that Alexander Steen sustained a left high ankle sprain in a 5-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, the Blues' sixth straight win, and Steen will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Alexander Steen

Steen collided awkwardly with Edmonton forward Alex Chiasson with roughly 30 seconds remaining in the second period and immediately went down to the ice; he needed help from head athletic trainer Ray Barile and teammate Colton Parayko, putting no weight on the left leg.

Steen, 35, joins Vladimir Tarasenko (dislocated left shoulder) on injured reserve; Tarasenko had surgery on his left shoulder and will be re-evaluated towards the end of March, which was five months from time of surgery.

Steen's absence for at least the next month will create quite a void in the locker room with his leadership, his ability to move up and down the lineup and play where coach Craig Berube needs him and an exceptional penalty killer/defensive specialist/checking forward.

The Blues announced the trade of Robby Fabbri to Detroit for Jacob de la Rose after the win Wednesday, and de la Rose likely will make his Blues debut on Saturday in Calgary, but at some point, they'll likely recall a forward from San Antonio of the American Hockey League to help fill these voids.

Among the top candidates are Nathan Walker, who leads the Rampage with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 11 games and is tied for third in the league; veteran Jordan Nolan, who can be used as an extra forward if needed; Jordan Kyrou would be elevated into the top nine immediately but needs to play games after coming back from surgery on his kneecap last season and has played one game in San Antonio, so he's likely a couple weeks from consideration, and the most popular name of them all, Klim Kostin, the Blues' second pick in the first round of 2017 (31st), who has seven points (two goals, five assists) in 11 games.

Steen played in all 17 games with the Blues this season and had five assists.