The St. Louis Blues' injuries continue to pile up.
The team announced Tuesday that veteran defenceman Carl Gunnarsson is out for the season after suffering a right knee injury in the Blues' 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, while forward Ivan Barbashev will be re-evaluated in six weeks after undergoing successful surgery on his left ankle.
"That's a guy that has laid it on the line for this organization for a long time," Brayden Schenn said to reporters of Gunnarsson after Monday's game. "He's a hell of a teammate and a good guy. The guy is an absolute warrior. It's tough to see."
The Blues were already without key players Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Robert Thomas and Tyler Bozak, among others.
Gunnarsson, 34, fell awkwardly during puck battle along the boards with Kings forward Gabriel Vilardi mid-way through the second period Monday. He left the ice with help from teammates and did not return.
The Blues say Gunnarsson, who had two points in 11 games, is currently undergoing further orthopedic evaluation and imaging to determine the full extent of the injury.
Barbashev, meanwhile, was hurt in the Blues 3-2 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 18. The 25-year-old had six points in 17 games.
