McDonald Returns to St. Louis with Possible Concussion | Grachev’s Turn? | Vets Do Your Thing
The calendar may say October 14th, but it feels like February 2nd. Per the Blues, forward Andy McDonald is returning to St. Louis to undergo additional testing after suffering a head injury during Thursday’s game in Dallas.
Blues. Early season. Multiple potential long term injuries. Bill Murray, we see you. Go away.
The incident occurred in the when Stars forward Vernon Fillder struck McDonald in the head at the end of the second period period in what appeared to be a rather meaningless event. A “late” shot by McDonald as the horn sounded drew the ire of his opponents. He did return, after being cleared by Dallas doctors, for the third period and was arguably the most effective player on the ice. According to MSM reports on Twitter McDonald did not feel well today. Precipitating the decision.
While a concussion has not been confirmed (who doesn’t have a feeling it will be soon though…), but considering McDonald’s history and the situation of fellow teammates, concern is warranted.
On December 4th last year McDonald hit a rut in the overtime ice up in Edmonton. Losing his balance, falling and putting his head directly in to Shawn Horcoff’s leg. The resulting concussion kept him out of the lineup for 24 games. A stretch in which the Blues went 10-11-3. Concussion issues forced him to miss the Anaheim Ducks playoff run in 2003.
Another Blues forward, David Perron, missed 72 games last season and has yet to play another NHL game since he was concussed on November 4th, 2010. He too left the game he was injured in and returned.
Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo suffered a concussion due to a questionable hit from Nashville’s Jordin Tootoo in late October 2010. Focing him out of the lineup for more than two weeks. He is currently out of action with another concussion complements of a dangerous play on an icing race by another Predator, Blake Geoffrion.
Get the picture? The Blues aren’t going to take chances with concussions. Neither will McDonald who knows what a third concussion could mean to his career.
The Blues state that McDonald will be seen by Dr. Rick Wright.
With a hole on David Backes’ left win to be filled, Davis Payne has several options.
Alex Steen could rotate up from Jason Arnott’s third line. He does have a complementary track record with the captain. This would allow the Blues to insert Chris Porter in a checking/energy/penalty killing role with Arnott or allow Vladimir Sobotka to take that Steen’s place and Porter take his.
The more likely scenario is that Evgeny Grachev will see his first NHL action of the season. He tied with Backes for the team lead in scoring during the preseason. The two worked well together and Backes’ current right winger, Jamie Langenbrunner, was a part of the exhibition trio. With the Blues working below the goal line and in tight on the net, Grachev’s big body and deft hands can make up for the missing speed element McDonald brings.
Another scenario to watch for would be a Sobotka-Backes-D’Agostini reunion. These three worked well together while McDonald was out last season and could be reunited to keep playing the chemistry card. D’Agostini did replace Langenbrunner on the Backes line in the third period Thursday night.
All summer Doug Armstrong has been patted on the back for adding depth to the organization and adding veterans to keep the keel even when the you know what hits the fan. Well, here we go. Heading in to game four the first test of his crew hits like a pop qiz on the last day of the first week of class. What do you mean I need to prove I learned something last year? I showed up, isn’t that enough?
The spotlight is now on you Arnott, Langnebrunner, Scott Nichol and Kent Huskins. Play up to the expectations the boss has put on you. Keep the 20-somethings from recoiling at adversity as they did before. It doesn’t matter if they should know better or not by now. We’ve already seen that they haven’t. Important lessons are some times hard to remember. Tutor them to a passing grade. Maybe your perspective will get the message to stick between their ears.
