Robert Thomas Placed on IR With Lower-Body Injury

The St. Louis Blues announced Thursday that forward Robert Thomas has been placed on injured reserve after aggravating a lower-body injury that first occurred on December 31 against the Colorado Avalanche.

Thomas has not skated or played since last Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He missed Tuesday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes and will not play Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team said he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. His absence comes at a critical point in the season and is a major setback for the Blues.

Thomas has been the engine of the Blues lineup this year and has consistently been their best all-around player. Serving as an assistant captain, the 26-year-old has driven play in all zones while taking on heavy minutes against top competition. His vision and puck distribution have been central to the Blues offense, and his defensive responsibility has made him a trusted option in critical moments.

Through 42 games this season, Thomas leads the team with 33 points, recording 11 goals and 22 assists. His value extends far beyond his point totals. Recently, he has picked up the pace with four goals and five assists in his last 10 games. When the Blues are at their best, Thomas is usually at the center of it.

With Thomas sidelined, the Blues will be forced to adjust both their lineup and leadership structure. Increased responsibility will fall on the other top six forwards, and the team will need to find ways to generate offense without their most reliable play driver. Filling his role will be a challenge, even in the short term.

While it may not seem like a long absence, the next two weeks will be critical as the Blues wait for further evaluation and hope their assistant captain can return healthy as the season progresses.