Eric Brewer Returns : Defensive Pairings : Carlo’s Flu

It’s been a long time since Eric Brewer touched the ice during an NHL game.

December 11th, 2008 was the last game Eric Brewer had played. But tonight, he will be back on the ice wearing his captain’s ‘C’ on his jersey tonight..

Brewer has missed the last year with two back surgeries and surgery to repair his knee this off-season. Brewer is expected to be paired with Alex Pietrangelo tonight as he has been paired with him in practice the last few weeks.

According to Andy Strickland, Brewer never considered going on a re-hab stint in Peoria.

Blues captain, Eric Brewer, returns tonight against Coyotes

He suspects that the defensive pairings will be as follows ;

Eric Brewer – Alex Pietrangelo

Darryl Sydor – Erik Johnson

Roman Polak – Mike Weaver

Tyson Strachan will be sitting tonight in place of Brewer. Barret Jackman has yet to return from what was a sprained ankle that sidelined him the last seven games. Carlo Colaiacovo is rumored to have the flu and will not play tonight either. No word on when Carlo or Barret will be back in the line up.

The Blues will have some interesting moves to make when all of their defensemen come back to the line up. They will have to determine what seven defensemen who they will keep on the roster. Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, Erik Johnson, Roman Polak, Carlo Colaiacovo, Mike Weaver, Darryl Sydor, Alex Pietrangelo, and Tyson Strachan. That’s nine defensemen who they will have to make decisions on.

The Blues brass will have to make some key decisions to make on who to keep with the club, and who not too. Tyson Strachan can be sent to Peoria without waivers so he is likely to be sent down. But at this point, can you send down Pietrangelo to the OHL after the way he’s played?

Needless to say, I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make the decisions in the Blues front office, but it will certainly be interesting the next few weeks to see how the moves unfold.

Randall Ritchey

randallritchey@gmail.com