The St. Louis Blues could be without key forward Alexander Steen to begin the regular season.
The longtime Blue will miss training camp after suffering a left hand injury in the club's first preseason game Tuesday in Dallas, the team announced Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
This news comes just a day after the team announced that defenseman Jay Bouwmeester will also be re-evaluated in three weeks after fracturing his ankle.
While it's possible both Bouwmeester and Steen will be back for the Oct. 4 season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, it's confirmed center Patrik Berglund will be out until December after offseason surgery on a dislocated shoulder.
Steen is an invaluable member of the Blues. He tallied 51 points last year, plays a strong two-way game, and serves as an alternate captain.
If the Blues are without both Steen and Bouwmeester - in addition to Berglund - to begin the season, it will be tough sledding in the early going.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.