Bluenotes 3-15-11: AHL Defensemen in the News
A daily does of news and views from around St. Louis Blues Nation and the NHL abroad.
- – -
Blues Recall Oystrick
The Blues announced Tuesday that defenseman Nathan Oystrick has been recalled from the Peoria Rivermen on an emergency basis.
No new injuries have been formally announced. Likely meaning Nikita Nikitin may not be ready to return to the lineup as soon as he is needed. The Blues embark on a 4 games in 8 days road trip through Anaheim, LA, San Jose and Phoenix on starting Wednesday. Oystrick will be insurance during the west coast swing.
The Rivermen can’t really afford to lose more players, but they would have lost their All Star blueliner anyways. He was suspended by the AHL for 6 games. He left the bench and came on the ice after Ryan Garbutt of the Chicago Wolves crosschecked Rivs center Brett Sonne in the head. It appears that the suspension doesn’t carry over between the two leagues. With just 12 games left in the Rivermen’s schedule he coudl easily wind up missing the remainder of the regular season and some playoff games depending upon his return to Peoria.
In 56 games this season Oystrick has 13 goals and 41 points. Good enough for the third highest point total on the Rivermen’s roster.
Welcome Back to the NHL Steve Wagner
Surely some Blues fans remember Steve Wagner. A few seasons ago the undrafted free agent made his way in to the St. Louis lineup. The then slick skating offensive defenseman looked like he may develop in to a diamond in the rough find. A power play specialist who can move the puck in all situations.
It was not to be as he broke his leg on February 13th, 2008 and was not the same player he once was.
He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 11th, 2010 for fellow AHL defenseman Nate Guenin. It’s taken more than two years to make it back to the big show, but he has done it. On Tuesday the Pens recalled Wanger from their AHL Affiliate, the Wilks-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Injuries to Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik and the illness of Matt Niskanen necessitated the call-up.
Kudos, Wags.
Links
As some know I write for NHL Hot Stove from time to time as their St. Louis Blues Correspondent. My Philadelphia Flyers counterpart, Dave Strehle, and I have started a weekly “Around the NHL” blog. I cover the Western Conference and he covers the Eastern.
Please check out our first offering posted yesterday. Blues are covered regarding ownership instalbility and my assertion that David Perron is the “Forgotten Concussion”.
Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau is running his mouth again. This time calling out so protesters planning to make their presence known at the tonight’s Caps and Canadiens game in Montreal. Which is bigger his mouth or his belly? Rhetorical, or is it?
-
As always, you are invited to follow @618_STLBlues and @BlueNoteZone on Twitter and on the BlueNoteZone Facebook Fan Page for in game updates and Blues news.
