The defense of the St. Louis Blues suffered a heavy blow, with guard Tori Kruger unfortunately announcing his absence from all games of the season due to a serious ankle injury. This news not only broke the hearts of fans, but also cast an uncertain shadow over the Blues’ path to defending their title.
Kruger’s left ankle has long been plagued by pre arthritis lesions, which originated from a fracture in his early career. Despite his ongoing efforts to recover, the latest medical evaluation results indicate that surgery has become an inevitable choice. In July, the Blues had hoped that 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation treatment would bring a turning point, but reality mercilessly shattered this hope.
This 33 year old veteran contributed 39 points (4 goals, 35 assists) in 77 games for the Blues last season, making him an indispensable member of the team. Since joining the Blues in 2020 on a seven-year contract worth $45.5 million (an average of $6.5 million per year), Kruger has been a key defender for the team. However, injuries seem to have become an inescapable shadow in his career.
Last season during the offseason, Kruger missed several games due to a foot injury. Despite being plagued by injuries, he has always maintained his love for ice hockey and his desire for victory. In an interview in September this year, Kruger firmly stated that he would not give up his non tradable clause and he was eager to continue playing for the Blues team and bring glory to this city.
I choose to stay here, “Kruger’s words revealed firmness and persistence.” I want to be a part of this team. I enjoy playing for this city and wearing the Bluenote jersey. Although I have children, a family, and many things to consider, in the end, I have decided to stay here and continue to contribute my strength to the Blues team
However, fate played a cruel joke on him. As the surgery date approached, Kruger had to temporarily leave his beloved ice rink. For the blues team, this is undoubtedly a huge blow. They need to rely on the outstanding performances of other players in the upcoming matches to fill the gap left by Kruger.
For fans, Kruger’s absence is undoubtedly a major regret. But they will still wear “cheap jerseys” or “cheap nhl jerseys” with Kruger’s name printed on them, cheering him on and looking forward to his speedy recovery and return. After all, in the world of ice hockey, there is nothing that can inspire players’ fighting spirit and confidence more than the support of fans.
At the same time, the Blues team is also actively responding to this unexpected situation. They signed defenders Ryan Sute and Pierre Olivier Joseph during the offseason to strengthen the depth of the team’s lineup. The new season is about to kick off on October 8th, and the Blues will have their first regular season match at the home ground of the Seattle Raptors. Facing unknown challenges and difficulties, the Blues team will join hands with fans to fight for glory!