A stalwart of the St. Louis Blues defense, Joel Edmundson had a career-high six goals and nine assists before suffering a broken forearm in the Blues 6-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. He blocked a shot by Nail Yakupov during the first period and fell to the ice. He did not return after.
Edmundson underwent successful surgery on Friday and will be re-evaluated in six weeks. The team announced he was placed on injured reserve, recalling defenseman Chris Butler from the San Antonio Rampage.
Joel Edmundson is expected to miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on a broken forearm last night. Chris Butler has been recalled from San Antonio. https://t.co/TlOwBSntYO #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) February 9, 2018
Joel Edmundson Out With Broken Forearm
Prior to the injury, Edmundson led the team with 125 blocked shots. He was also one of six Blues to appear in every game this season. He averaged the third most ice time per game on the team.
The Blues had recently been playing with 11 forwards and seven defensemen as head coach Mike Yeo found it tough to scratch one of his blueliners. The decision was made for him, though, when Edmundson went down in the first period. The depth that the Blues have at the position, however, works in their favour.
Edmundson was drafted by the Blues in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He did not make his debut with the team until the 2015-16 season when he appeared in 67 games. He posted one goal and eight assists that season.
His numbers alone won’t open any eyes. In 192 career regular season games, Edmundson has collected 10 goals and 29 assists. He added four goals and three assists in 27 career postseason games.
Chris Butler Recalled From San Antonio
In wake of Edmundson’s injury, the Blues called up veteran defenseman Chris Butler. Butler has been with the Blues organization since the 2014-15 season. This is far from his first stint in the NHL, however.
In his first season with the team, Butler was the team’s seventh defenseman, playing in only 33 games. He posted three goals and six assists. His role was greatly reduced the following season as Edmunson and Colton Parayko jumped him on the depth chart. His eight goals with the San Antonio Rampage this season are a career high for Butler.
Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Butler made his debut in the 2008-09 season. He was traded to the Calgary Flames in the summer of 2011. He spent three seasons with the Flames before signing with the Blues as a free agent in 2014. In 388 regular season games, Butler has 13 goals and 71 assists.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
