In a continuous search for a No. 3 center, the St. Louis Blues will turn to Nathan Walker on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche.
Walker, who has been playing the fourth-line role for the better part of this season thus far, will slide up between Jake Neighbours and Zack Bolduc when the Blues (23-24-4) open a quick two-game road set against the Avalanche (29-21-2) at 8 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
As of late, it’s been Oskar Sundqvist there, but the veteran will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game; Mathieu Joseph was in that spot on Monday in a 5-2 loss against the Vancouver Canucks.
Coach Jim Montgomery is clearly looking for any inking of consistency and will give this a shot on Friday.
“It’s kind of like our entire season, so to speak,” Montgomery said. “It’s consistency of who can play with who and who’s bringing their ‘A’ game night in, night out.”
With Brandon Saad clearing unconditional waivers and the remaining contract he had with the Blues through next season terminated, Alexandre Texier will get his first extensive look with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich against the Avs.
Reports are that Saad is in the process of signing with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Saad clears…all eyes on Vegas: 1 x $1.5M prorated, I believe
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 31, 2025
Defenseman Colton Parayko did not participate in the morning skate. Montgomery said he wasn’t feeling well but is expected to play tonight.
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The Blues also announced Friday afternoon they have signed defenseman Corey Schueneman to a one-year, two-way contract extension ($775,000 NHL/$425,000 AHL). Also, defenseman Matthew Kessel has been recalled from Springfield and he will will join the team in Colorado.
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Blues Projected Lineup:
Pavel Buchnevich-Robert Thomas-Alexandre Texier
Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou
Jake Neighbours-Nathan Walker-Zack Bolduc
Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Mathieu Joseph
Cam Fowler-Colton Parayko
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker
Joel Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Oskar Sundqvist and Matthew Kessel. Nick Leddy (lower body) is out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season.
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Avalanche Projected Lineup:
Jonathan Drouin-Nathan MacKinnon-Martin Necas
Juuso Parsinen-Casey Mittelstadt-Artturi Lehkonen
Ross Colton-Jack Drury-Logan O’Connor
Joel Kiviranta-Parker Kelly-Chris Wagner
Devon Toews-Cale Makar
Samuel Girard-Josh Manson
Calvin DeHaan-Sam Malinski
Mackenzie Blackwood will start in goal; Scott Wedgewood will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Keaton Middleton and Jere Innala. Valeri Nichushkin (lower body), Miles Wood (back), Oliver Kylington (upper body), Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Tucker Poolman (head) are out.
