Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Undergoes shoulder surgery
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Toropchenko had shoulder surgery recently and will be out until at least December, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
The 23-year-old winger tallied two goals in 28 games as a rookie last season before chipping in two assists in 12 postseason appearances. Toropchenko should be expected to land on injured reserve once the season begins, as he's going to miss roughly the first two months of the 2022-23 campaign. He should return to a bottom-six role once healthy.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Offers helper in win
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Toropchenko posted an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Avalanche in Game 5.
Toropchenko set up Justin Faulk's game-tying goal with 4:46 left in the third period. This was Toropchenko's first point in the second round and his second assist in 11 playoff contests overall. The 22-year-old winger has mainly been limited to fourth-line action, where he's added 22 hits, eight shots on net and a plus-2 rating, though it's encouraging to see him maintain his place in the lineup.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: In Saturday's lineup
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Toropchenko (undisclosed) will return to the lineup Saturday versus the Coyotes, Jim Thomas of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Toropchenko will slot into a third-line role, while Brayden Schenn (upper body) exits the lineup. Toropchenko has just two goals with 60 hits and a minus-5 rating in 24 appearances, so his return shouldn't have much of an impact in fantasy.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Could return
Rotowire
Toropchenko, who's been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, could return to action Saturday against the Coyotes, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
Toropchenko's availability against Arizona will likely boil down to a game-time decision. He's picked up two goals through 24 top-level appearances this year.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Out Tuesday, will travel
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Toropchenko (undisclosed) will not play Tuesday against visiting Boston, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
Toropchenko will head out on the team's four-game road trip following Tuesday's contest and start skating, though, so it sounds like his return could be around the corner. The rookie has two points in 24 games this season.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Unavailable Sunday
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Toropchenko (undisclosed) will not play Sunday against Nashville, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
Toropchenko has now missed the last two games but the team hasn't provided much information on the injury. His next chance to play will be Tuesday against the Bruins.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Sidelined with undisclosed issue
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Toropchenko (undisclosed) won't play Saturday versus Minnesota, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
With Toropchenko on the shelf, look for Dakota Joshua to draw into the lineup against the Wild. Another update on Toropchenko, who's picked up two goals through 24 NHL appearances this season, should surface once he's cleared to rejoin the lineup.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Called up from minors
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Toropchenko was elevated from AHL Springfield on Monday.
In his five previous appearances this year, the 22-year-old Toropchenko managed seven shots, 13 hits and two blocks while averaging 9:23 of ice time but is still searching for his first NHL point.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Signs one-year deal
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Toropchenko inked a one-year, two-way contract with St. Louis on Wednesday.
Toropchenko's new deal carries a rate of $750,000 in the NHL and $100,000 in the AHL. The 22-year-old has five top-level appearances this season but has primarily played with AHL Springfield, where he has amassed 12 points over 32 games in 2021-22.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Sent to AHL
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Toropchenko was demoted from the taxi squad to AHL Springfield on Tuesday.
Toropchenko will rejoin AHL Springfield, where he has logged 11 points over 26 performances in 2021-22. The 22-year-old has averaged 9:23 of ice time and been held scoreless over five NHL appearances this season.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: On taxi squad
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Toropchenko was skating with the rest of the taxi squad Wednesday, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
Since the start of 2022, Toropchenko has only played in one game for the Blues against the Leafs on Saturday. Despite the team registering five goals, the 22-year-old winger failed to register a point and managed just one shot in 10:02 of ice time. Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Toropchenko will likely struggle for regular game opportunities.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Heads to AHL
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The Blues returned Toropchenko to AHL Springfield on Sunday, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.
The winger averaged 9:14 of ice time in four December games but didn't record any points. Toropchenko could see more NHL action if any Blues forwards miss time due to injuries or COVID-19.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Rejoins Blues
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The Blues recalled Toropchenko from AHL Springfield on Wednesday.
Toropchenko appeared in three mid-December games for St. Louis and tallied five shots on goal, although he didn't record any points. The 22-year-old figures to play on St. Louis' fourth line Wednesday against Edmonton.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Sent down Monday
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Toropchenko was demoted to AHL Springfield on Monday.
Toropchenko's reassignment was likely a cap-saving measure considering neither the Blues nor the Thunderbirds play again until Dec. 27. Unless a handful of Blues' forwards are cleared to play, the 22-year-old Toropchenko could be brought back to the NHL in order to suit up versus the Devils on Dec. 27.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Loaned to KHL club
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The Blues have assigned Toropchenko to HC Kunlun Red Star of the KHL.
Toropchenko spent the 2019-20 season with AHL San Antonio, picking up five goals and nine points while posting a minus-13 rating in 59 games. The 2017 fourth-round pick is likely still at least a few years away from getting a serious look with the big club, but he'll still be recalled ahead of next campaign's training camp.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Not producing in AHL
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Toropchenko has recorded four points over 41 AHL games this year.
Toropchenko -- a fourth-round pick in 2017 -- made a surge last year with Guelph Storm of the OHL through the playoffs and Memorial Cup, as he racked up 19 points over 24 games, but it's been a tough adjustment in the pro ranks. The Russian forward projects as a power forward with his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, but at this rate, he's set to spend next season in the AHL as well.
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Blues' Alexei Toropchenko: Natural hat trick in Memorial Cup
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Toropchenko picked up a natural hat trick in Guelph's 5-2 win over Rouyn-Noranda in Memorial Cup action Saturday.
In what was the opening game of the tournament for both teams, Toropchenko scored three times in just over seven minutes in the first period to put the game out of reach early. Originally a fourth-round selection (113th overall) of the Blues in 2017, the Russian scored exactly 17 goals in each of the past two regular seasons for Guelph. Toropchenko signed his entry-level contract with St. Louis in December.
