Struggling Blues to scratch Bouwmeester vs. Leafs
Jay Bouwmeester will watch this one from the press box.
The St. Louis Blues defenseman will be a healthy scratch for Saturday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Mike Yeo confirmed to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
"It's a very, very difficult decision for me as a coach," Yeo said. "Hopefully a game like this gives him a chance to reset."
#stlblues D pairs from yesterday’s practice:
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) October 20, 2018
Dunn-Pietrangelo
Parayko-Schmaltz
Edmundson-Bortuzzo
It marks the first time Bouwmeester has been designated an extra skater in his 16-year career. Through six appearances this season, the 35-year-old has picked up just one assist, despite ranking third in ice time among St. Louis rearguards.
A flurry of offseason activity led many pundits to pick the Blues as a favorite this season, but the team has won just one of its first six contests, leaving Yeo looking for a shakeup.
Bouwmeester is on the final season of his five-year, $27-million contract.