Blues’ Alexey Toropchenko Out With Upper-Body Injury

The St. Louis Blues took a hit to the roster in Friday’s season opener. Depth winger Alexey Toropchenko sustained an upper-body injury that will force him out of the lineup. Head coach Jim Montgomery said that his timeline will be longer than day-to-day. Toropchenko was helped off the ice partway through the second period after getting hit along the boards by Dallas’ Lian Bichsel and Tyler Seguin. He seemed to be nurshing his right shoulder or forearm as he was headed off the ice.

Toropchenko was a consistent part of the St. Louis’ lineup through the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. He only missed two games in that span and totaled 18 goals and 39 points in 162 games. That injury luck took a downturn last season. Toropchenko missed multiple weeks in December 2025 after a home accident left him with severe burns on his legs. He also missed time with day-to-day injuries throughout the year, missing 17 games in total. Toropchenko’s performance took a corresponding dip, marked by just four goals, 11 points, and a career-low minus-11.

St. Louis signed Toropchenko to a two-year, $5M contract extension in January 2026, despite a quiet year. That deal will carry the Blues’ fourth-line winger through the 2027-28 season. While Toropchenko hasn’t been able to reach 20 points since 2023-24, he does bring an impactful physical presence. The 27 year old has averaged 58 shot blocks and 180 hits per 82 games over the course of his six-year NHL career. He brings that punch while showing impressive poise – with just 110 penalty minutes in his career, or an average of 28 PIMs per 82 games.

The Blues will struggle to replace Toropchenko’s physical presence. His absence will likely pave way for Dillon Dube to play in his first NHL game since the 2023-24 season. Dube spent the 2024-25 season in Russia’s KHL, then returned to North American pros on an AHL contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds in December 2025. He reached the top of Springfield’s lineup while scoring 20 goals and 37 points through 46 games. Now, Dube will continue his climb into St. Louis’ lineup. Toropchenko’s absence could mark an opportunity for Dube to grab onto a role that he won’t give up. The 28-year-old forward scored a career-high 18 goals and 45 points in the 2022-23 season.

Dube was also one of five acquitted in a 2018 sexual assault case. By stepping into the Blues’ lineup, he will become the third player named in the trial to return to the NHL.