And Then There Were 27

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The Blues assigned defenseman Jonas Junland to their top minor league affiliate in Peoria today. The move leaves the Note with eight healthy defenseman (Captain Eric Brewer will start the season on injured reserve), 15 forwards and three goaltenders. Ben Bishop will be allowed to travel with the Blues to Sweden as a third netminder that does not count against what ultimately will have to be a 23-man roster.

All in all, with Brewer and Bishop included in the 27 but not to count on the teams roster next week, the team will have to cut two more players unless winger D-J King starts the season on IR with his thumb injury. With a healthy King, the Blues will likely send defenseman Tyson Strachan and center Derek Armstrong back to Peoria.

The Blues play a preseason game in Dallas tomorrow night before heading to Stockholm. Andy Murray's team will play an exhibition against a Swedish Elite League team on Tuesday at noon before opening the regular season against Detroit in matching 2:00 PM starts next Friday and Saturday.

TPC