The St. Louis Blues’ defensive corps has been dealt another blow, as promising youngster Philip Broberg is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks with what the team is calling a lower-body injury. The news comes as a disappointment for a Blues team already missing several key players due to various ailments.
Broberg, 23, suffered the injury during the second period of Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Swedish rearguard got tangled up with Leafs forward Mitch Marner and his right leg bent awkwardly, causing him to clutch at it in pain. Broberg required assistance to leave the ice, a worrying sign for the Blues bench.
A Tough Break for a Rising Talent
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Blues head coach Drew Bannister provided an update on Broberg’s status, confirming the 4-6 week recovery timeline. While certainly not the news the team was hoping for, Bannister did his best to find a silver lining.
“It could’ve been a lot worse,” Bannister admitted. “I’m happy that he’s going to be back. It could’ve been worse, but it isn’t. He was playing really good hockey, and now it’s like ‘Let’s get him back on the ice and get him back to game speed.’ That’s going to take a little bit of time, but I think the player himself is really happy.”
Coach Drew Bannister on Philip Broberg’s injury
Indeed, Broberg had been enjoying a strong start to the season, notching nine points in 12 games to rank among the Blues’ scoring leaders. The young Swede, who signed an offer sheet with St. Louis this past summer as a restricted free agent, was beginning to showcase the immense potential that made him a first-round draft pick.
Injury Bug Bites the Blues
Unfortunately for the Blues, Broberg is just the latest name to be added to an already crowded injury list. St. Louis is currently without forwards Robert Thomas, Kasperi Kapanen, and Mathieu Joseph, as well as defensemen Nick Leddy and Torey Krug. Thomas is out with a broken ankle, while Krug is expected to miss the entire season after undergoing ankle surgery of his own.
With so many regulars out of action, Coach Bannister emphasized the need for a team-first mentality and increased contributions from the players still in the lineup:
“I think our guys have done a real good job of stepping into those situations,” Bannister said. “You can’t necessarily expect somebody to come in and take over Robby’s job or Broberg’s job. You need it to be a team effort, and you need all 20 guys pushing in the same direction, playing the right way.”
Coach Drew Bannister on the Blues’ injury situation
Next Man Up
With Broberg on the shelf, look for Scott Perunovich to take his spot in the St. Louis lineup. The 24-year-old Perunovich has appeared in just two games for the Blues so far this season but boasts an impressive pedigree, having won the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player in 2020.
Coach Bannister expressed confidence in Perunovich and the rest of his charges to step up in Broberg’s absence:
“Now Prune’s able to step in and get an opportunity and we’re going to have to lean on these guys to play some good hockey for us,” Bannister said. “The group on the ice will get the job done while those guys are out. It’s an opportunity at making sure we’re doing the right thing, and we can’t just rely on one or two players to fill the spot. We need everybody on the ice pushing in the right direction.”
Coach Drew Bannister on the Blues’ response to injuries
It won’t be easy for a Blues team that currently sits with a 6-6-0 record through its first 12 contests. But as Bannister made clear, excuses won’t be tolerated. For a proud franchise with Stanley Cup aspirations, the expectation is for the healthy players to raise their games and keep the team competitive until the injury-riddled roster can return to full strength.
The road ahead won’t be easy for Broberg or his teammates. Rehab and recovery from a serious injury is never a pleasant experience for a young athlete. But if Bannister’s comments are any indication, the hard-working Broberg will approach the challenge with determination and a positive attitude. Blues fans eagerly await his return to the ice – and his continued development into a core piece of the franchise’s long-term future.
