Blues defense prospect Leo Lööf will have to wait until his next recall to make his NHL debut. He’s been sent back to AHL Springfield while veteran Corey Schueneman comes up, the team announced Friday.
Schueneman, 29, is in his first season with the St. Louis organization after signing a two-way deal in free agency on July 1. The Michigan native has 31 games of NHL experience to his name, all coming with the Canadiens in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns. He recorded two goals and five assists for seven points with a -4 rating, 8 PIMs and 38 shots while averaging 16:10 per game and controlling 45.1% of shot attempts at even strength.
Once a captain for Western Michigan University, Schueneman has had a solid minor-league career since turning pro in 2019. In addition to his time with the Canadiens and Blues, he’s spent time in the Flames and Avalanche organizations on AHL and NHL contracts, respectively. His lone season in Colorado was last year, where he recorded 22 points and a +2 rating in 64 appearances for their AHL affiliate.
So far in 2024-25, Schueneman has a goal and four assists for five points in 13 AHL games with a +1 rating. He could make his Blues debut Saturday against the Bruins after Pierre-Olivier Joseph left Thursday’s overtime loss to the Sabres with a lower-body injury and did not return.
Schueneman cleared waivers on his way down to Springfield at the beginning of October. He can remain on the Blues’ roster for up to 30 non-consecutive days or play 10 NHL games before he needs them again to return to the minors.
With a new face likely needed to replace Joseph tomorrow, it’s possible the Blues wanted a more offensively-inclined option to replace Joseph on the back end. The hard-hitting shutdown Lööf was likely going to get his chance in a third-pairing role, not in top-four usage alongside Justin Faulk like the puck-moving Schueneman may receive. The 22-year-old had been recalled from Springfield on Wednesday after posting an assist, 21 PIMs, and a +1 rating in 11 games.
I’m surprised Tyler Tucker hasn’t been called up.