Zbynek Michalek to Make St. Louis Blues Debut Against Minnesota Wild
In a bit of a surprising turn of events, defenseman Zbynek Michalek gave the St. Louis Blues the go-ahead to insert him into the lineup on Saturday and will make his Blues debut on Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild.
Michalek, who the Blues acquired at the trade deadline from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for prospect Maxim Letunov, has not played in a game since suffering a concussion while still a Coyote on February 14. The Blues had received a conditional third-round pick in the trade which they would have been able to hold onto had Michalek missed the rest of the season, but that selection will go back to the Coyotes now that he is ready to make his Blues debut.
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Michalek has two goals, six assists, and a plus-minus rating of minus-6 (which was by far the
best rating
of any full-time Coyotes defenseman this season) in 53 games. He’ll be paired with
Jay Bouwmeesterand will replace 21-year-old rookie
Petteri Lindbohm, who had played in the Blues’ last 10 games, in the lineup. While the 32-year-old doesn’t deliver much of an offensive presence, the Blues hope he can deliver them some ruggedness in the defensive zone, add efficiency in getting the puck up the ice, and provide some of the physicality that has been missing since the club traded 6-foot, 236-pound
Roman Polakto the Toronto Maple Leafs this past offseason.
Michalek will wear number 6, which has not been worn by a Blues player since defenseman
Wade Reddenwore it in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.