Blues send forward Rattie down to Chicago
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues' decision to send a forward back to Chicago could be a good sign for two others close to returning from injury.
Center Jori Lehtera skated Saturday and may be able to play Tuesday night vs. Arizona, which would leave Ty Rattie without a spot in the lineup. He turned 22 the day before getting his first career point on an assist at Buffalo last week and played ahead of Joakim Lindstrom in two of the last three games, but more development in the American Hockey League will be better for Rattie than just practicing with the Blues.
Meanwhile, Lehtera could provide a much-needed boost to an offense that hasn't surpassed its average of 3.1 goals per game in its last four games. The center from Finland had nine goals and 21 assists before a concussion sidelined him for the last six games.
Chris Porter also skated Saturday and appears close to ready to come back from a leg injury he suffered in a Dec. 29 win over Colorado. It could be tougher for Porter to get back into the lineup now that Dmitrij Jaskin has established himself as a physical force on the Blues' third line.
St. Louis never put Lehtera on injured reserve and would still have an open spot on its 23-man roster if it activates Porter, since Kevin Shattenkirk remains out with the abdominal injury he suffered Feb. 1. Hitchcock will likely give updates on his injured forwards at Tuesday's morning skate.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
