Blues’ Philip Broberg out 4-6 weeks, but injury ‘could have been a lot worse’

ST. LOUIS — At best it would be Philip Broberg I will be allowed to play on Tuesday night, but given the pain St. Louis Blues defender ended up in during Saturday’s victory over Toronto Maple LeafsThe official diagnosis was positive.

Broberg will miss four to six weeks with a lower-body injury, the team announced Monday, but he did not suffer a torn knee ligament, which was feared after watching replays of the Leafs game. Mitch Marner fell on his right leg. This would likely have ended his season.

“It’s good news for us based on what happened,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said Monday.

Broberg was helped off the ice and did not put any weight on his right leg as he walked to the locker room.

Justin FaulkBroberg’s defensive partner was on the ice during the incident but did not see what happened during the game.

“I just saw him fall on the board, and the next thing I know, he fell,” Faulk said. “It didn’t look good – his reaction to it, that’s for sure. After the game he was in a lot of pain. It didn’t look good.”

Therefore, the Blues will play without Broberg on Tuesday against Tampa Bay Lightning at the Enterprise Center, but expect it to return before the end of the calendar year.

At Monday’s practice, as in Saturday’s game when Broberg left the team in the second period, the club will pair Faulk with P.O. Joseph in the top four. Joseph played a season-high 15:18 against the Leafs and had an even plus-minus rating.

“We really like (Joseph’s) range, his putter and his skating ability,” Bannister said. “I think when you’re in those (top four) positions, you have to be able to defend. You’re going to see some tough matches. Of course, when he moved up to that position (on Saturday), we thought he was playing very well.

“I don’t think we’re talking about a young player anymore. He was nearby. He played for several different teams in different situations with different players. When shaken, he seems to adjust very quickly. I’m sure he’ll get the hang of it quickly.”

Joseph, 25, previously spent four seasons with the team. Pittsburgh Penguins. From 2022 to 2024, he played occasionally in the Pens’ top four with a veteran. Chris Letang. In 547 minutes of five-on-five play, they were on the ice for 24 goals for and 26 against for an expected goal share of 44.5 percent.

“You get more minutes and you play against different players,” Joseph said. “But it’s the same hockey you’ve been playing since childhood. Yes, it’s a little more responsibility. But at the same time it is difficult. It’s fun. That’s why we do what we do. I’m just excited about the opportunity here.”

Faulk liked what he saw from Joseph.

“He’s got a long body and he skates well,” Faulk said. “He takes up a lot of space and I think that’s when he’s at his best. At this point he influences the game. I know we had a few shifts here and I think we skated together for a few days in training camp. So I think we can figure it out pretty quickly. I know he’s hungry for it and I’m excited about it.”

Meanwhile, Scott Perunovich will return to the Blues and play together Matthew Kessel. Perunovich has played just three of the team’s 12 games this season and is minus-3.

“Now Perun can step in and get an opportunity and we’re going to have to rely on these guys to play good hockey for us,” Bannister said. “At the end of the day, they’re going to have to find their game and play to what we know their potential is and we’re going to need them in those situations. I’m really excited to see them play.”

But on Monday, the Blues were equally pleased to learn that Broberg won’t be out too long and won’t have to deal with the aftereffects of surgery and a lengthy recovery.

“Now it’s just, ‘Let’s get him back on the ice and get him back to playing speed,’” Bannister said. “It will take a little time, but the player himself is very happy. That’s another four to six weeks. We are disappointed in this. But it could have been much worse.”

(Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)