Veteran defenseman Torey Krug is in danger of missing the 2024-25 season after being diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, the St. Louis Blues said Tuesday. The Blues consider Krug as out indefinitely and plan to reevaluate him after six to eight weeks of rehab to determine if surgery is the best course of action. If Krug needs surgery, it will keep him out for the season. The pre-arthritic changes resulted from a bone fracture Krug suffered earlier in his career, according to the Blues. Krug, 33, has missed time due to injuries in each of his first four seasons in St. Louis but played 77 of 82 games for the Blues last season, putting up 39 points (four goals, 35 assists) and a career-worst minus-31 rating. Krug has played in 778 games over 13 seasons with the Boston Bruins (2011-20) and Blues, posting 89 goals and 394 assists (483 points), 832 blocked shots and 621 hits. He is entering the fifth year of a seven-year, $45.5 million contract signed before the 2020-21 campaign. --Field Level Media
Mar 11, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug (47) gets set for a face-off during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports