Robert Bortuzzo placed on injured reserve, Dmitri Samorukov called up

The St. Louis Blues announced Monday Robert Bortuzzo has been placed on the injured reserve and prospect Dmitri Samorukov was called up in his place.

Bortuzzo has played 30 games for the Blues this year, scoring one goal with a +3 rating. He has been a fixture on the Blues’ blueline since the 2014-15 season. The 33-year-old defenceman signed a two-year contract extension with the Blues this past offseason which will carry him through the 2023-24 season. He earns $950,000 per season.

Bortuzzo is a stay-at-home defenceman who doesn’t put up a lot of points but nevertheless plays a key role on the St. Louis Blues roster. The dependable blueliner sustained a lower-body injury during the St. Louis Blues’ 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens Saturday. He didn’t return to the game and didn’t either play for the team’s next game against the Minnesota Wild.

There is no timetable for Bortuzzo’s return to NHL action. The Blues are looking ahead and decided to give Dmitri Samorukov an opportunity in the NHL. Samorukov has played 34 games this year for the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL after he was traded to St. Louis in a prospect swap in exchange for Edmonton Oilers prospect Klim Kostin.

The former third-round draft selection scored two goals and eight points in Springfield this season. If he suits up for an NHL game in St. Louis, it will be only the second game of the 23-year-old’s young career.

Over the last six seasons Samorukov has played for two AHL teams, a season in the KHL, an NHL game, and three seasons in the OHL. He didn’t get much of an opportunity in Edmonton and he hopes St. Louis will have a different approach for his development as an NHL talent.

Samorukov is an RFA after this season.