Couple of injured players accompany St. Louis Blues on road trip to Columbus as backup-NHL News
The St. Louis Blues are taking a couple of injured players with them on their road trip to Columbus Blue Jackets, hoping to be able to make use of them if needed during any of the games.
Blues will play seven games on the tour, which started on Sunday, March 11, 2012, and will last for more than a week.
In case of getting affecting by injuries during the trip, the team expects to have some backup in form of the players, who are more or less in the final phase of their respective recovery.
In fact, they have been skating along with teammates for last couple of days before the departure and the management is hopeful of their full recovery, fitness and form in two or three days time.
Blues’ coach, Ken Hitchcock, while commenting on their inclusion in the team before their departure said:
“I would say we've got a number of guys that are 'next week' players. Somewhere on that road trip we're going to get some additions here. I can't tell you which (game) but I would say we're going to get additions to the group."
At present, the team has as many as five injured players, who have missed quite a few games over the last couple of weeks.
Defensemen, Kris Russell and Kent Huskins, and forward, Jamie Langenbrunner, are those who have recently returned to the ice and have been skating for consecutive sessions.
However, since they are expected to take a few more days to completely recover, the management does not want to take chances by leaving them behind and expects them to be especially effective if there is a need of replacement during the trip.
Russel, who recently returned from concussion, he had suffered on February 23, 2012, to join the teammates for skating, is wearing no-contact jersey, but is expected to get clearance for contact in a couple of days.
Langenbrunner is another hopeful among the players who are expected to return sooner. He was considered to be out for at least four games at the time he broke his foot on February 19, 2012.
However, he has taken a little longer to return, but is reportedly progressing faster.
He said:
"With a broken bone, there's only so much you can do. I'm pushing it as much as I can and trying to make sure I keep my conditioning up. When I'm ready to go, I'm not going to be a drop-off on the team."
Alex Steen and Matt D'Agostini, who are out of the team with concussion problems, are not considered for an imminent return and might take a longer period of time to report back their recovery and fitness.
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