ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Almost a month after St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas was placed on the injured reserve with a fractured ankle, Thomas is set to return to the Blues lineup Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild.
Thomas suffered the ankle injury during the Blues 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in October after he blocked a shot from Jets defenseman Neil Pionk about 92 seconds into the third period.
The Blues initially said at the time Thomas was going be re-evaluated in six weeks. Thomas missed 12 games during his absence where the Blues went 4-7-1 in his absence.
Thomas accompanied the team on its recent three-game road trip after skating with the team on Nov. 13.
“I started to feel better the last couple of days skating,” Thomas said. “It got to a point where I was comfortable that I was ready to go. Pretty much the last week or so, I wasn’t planning on the road trip but I wanted to be around the guys and take it day by day.”
Thomas, 25, has dressed in seven games for the Blues this season, posting six points (one goal, five assists) and two penalty minutes.
"It’s obviously frustrating being out," Thomas said. "I invested a lot in myself, and I’m pretty happy with the result and getting back so soon. I’m excited to be back in the lineup and look forward to getting in the trenches with the guys."
Thomas returning to the lineup Tuesday seemed possible after the Blues placed depth forward Kasperi Kapanen on waivers Monday. Kapanen was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers off waivers on Tuesday.
KMOX Sports Director Tom Ackerman and Kevin Wheeler discussed the return of Thomas and the long-term outlook of the St. Louis Blues in Tuesday's edition of 'Gashouse Gang.'
"Robert Thomas is healing up quite quickly," said Ackerman on 'The Gashouse Gang'. "It's not going to change everything but it certainly could improve morale in that (Blues locker room). Something is broken. Something is not right."
"They lose those two 8-1 games (to Washington and Ottawa) in the middle of a slump, they go to Boston and play this inspiring awesome game. Brayden Schenn scores the winner and he was all smiles afterwards, and then they lay an egg against a very good Carolina team. They can't just find consistency."
The Associated Press also contributed to the story.