In this case, practice participation doesn’t mean game participation.
Injured Blues forward Jake Neighbours skated during the final practice of the season Tuesday morning, his first full practice with the team since suffering an upper-body injury April 6 in San Jose. Even though Neighbours skated with the team, don’t expect him to play Wednesday night in Dallas in the season finale, especially with the Blues already eliminated from playoff contention.
“I think we’re going to take a very cautious approach with him,†Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said. “I don’t foresee anything that changes that he’s going to be in the lineup (Wednesday), but certainly a positive step seeing him on the ice. He was on the ice (Tuesday), too, and feeling much better. A positive step for him, but I don’t think, at this time, with him, we don’t want to put him in a position where he can reinjure something.â€
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Neighbours was hurt against the Sharks when he absorbed a hit by Luke Kunin in front of the Blues bench. The back of Neighbours’ head appeared to hit the top of the boards, and he’s missed the past four games.
This season, Neighbours broke out with 27 goals, tied for second-most on the team behind Jordan Kyrou’s team-leading 31 goals. Bannister said Neighbours was cleared for contact.
“He hasn’t been in a lot of practices of late and conditioning and stuff like that that goes into the process of getting him back on the ice,†Bannister said. “The player himself would probably want to play through it, but sometimes you have to take that out of their hands and make the right decision for the player, too.â€
Even if Neighbours does not play against the Stars, it is possible he has not played his last game of the 2023-24 season. The possibility exists the Canadian national team will choose Neighbours to play in the upcoming World Championship.
Neighbours played last year in the tournament, winning a gold medal for Canada along with Joel Hofer and Sammy Blais. Blues general manager Doug Armstrong oversees Canada’s management for the tournament, which is headed by Rick Nash.
“I think it would be a great opportunity, and why wouldn’t Team Canada want a player like that in their lineup?†Bannister said. “What he’s done this year, and how he’s progressed and has played, the character that he brings daily in the room, on the ice, it’d be a no-brainer for me.â€
While Neighbours would be a longshot to play for Canada next year at the 4 Nations Face-Off or at the 2026 Olympics, he would be 27 years old for the 2030 Olympics and a potential candidate if his career continues to progress.
End of another experiment?
Pavel Buchnevich skated at center Tuesday morning, meaning he’s likely to finish the season Wednesday in the middle. That would be the 16th time in the final 18 games Buchnevich played center instead of his natural wing position.
It’s the second season in a row Buchnevich has concluded the spring at center, as he played his final 15 games in the middle last year.
“I think Buchy has really bought into that role, and it’s not an easy ask for someone that’s typically used to playing the wing to come in and play center, but I think he’s grabbed the horns and he’s done an outstanding job,†Bannister said. “I think his wingers have really thrived under having him at center ice with them.â€
Brandon Saad and Jordan Kyrou are on Buchnevich’s wings, and on Sunday against Seattle, with that line on the ice at five on five, the Blues outshot the Kraken 6-0 and outscored them 1-0.
“I’ve seen a lot of growth in (Buchnevich’s) game, and I’ve seen a lot of chemistry with Jordan and how he’s played certainly over the last few weeks,†Bannister said. “He’s played some real good hockey, I think all of them have played (well). Saader’s been, for a number of weeks here, just scoring some really big goals for us. That line has been really good.
Defenseman Torey Krug (upper body) did not practice Tuesday and will not play Wednesday in Dallas, meaning he will have missed the final three games of the season.