Alexey Toropchenko is back in the St. Louis Blues lineup Tuesday night against Montreal after missing 10 games with an upper-body injury. It is the most immediate roster change for the Blues as they continue to sort out their forward group.
Toropchenko last played on opening night against Dallas, when he was hurt on a hit by Lian Bichsel. He did not return for the next 10 games, leaving the Blues to experiment with different lineup combinations over the past week while trying to fill his spot.
What Toropchenko’s return means
For the Blues, the return gives Jim Montgomery another option in the forward rotation at a time when the team has been adjusting on the fly. Even without a long-term absence, a 10-game injury stretch is enough to change how a coaching staff manages matchups, line chemistry and depth usage.
Montreal arrives with St. Louis still working through those lineup decisions, but Toropchenko’s availability at least settles one part of the puzzle. The Blues had been looking for a way to replace his size and energy, and now they can see how quickly he can fit back into the mix.
The game also comes during a stretch where the organization has dealt with a separate off-ice issue involving antisemitic rhetoric and anti-Israel signs at a recent game. That broader context sits outside Toropchenko’s return, but it has added to the attention around the club this week. On Monday morning, Tom Stillman released a statement condemning antisemitic rhetoric.
Still, from a hockey standpoint, the headline is straightforward: Toropchenko is back. After 10 games out, the Blues get him back in the lineup Tuesday night against Montreal and will see how his return changes the look of their forward group moving forward.
