Kasperi Kapanen suffered an upper-body injury on Tuesday and will be out of the lineup on Thursday, allowing Walker to draw in for the first time since October 19th. The 30-year-old Walker has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 10:28 time-on-ice through five games.
The Blues have signed the Welsh-born Walker to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension on Tuesday. Walker has spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, scoring 29 points (13G / 16A) in 30 games.
Walker earned his call up from Springfield after producing 29 points (13G/16A) in 30 games played and is expected to make his season debut Thursday vs. Vancouver. The 29-year-old left-winger appeared in 58 games for the Blues in 2022-23, where he had two goals, eight assists, 43 SOG, 25 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus.
Walker has a goal, three assists, 16 SOG and 13 PIMs through 28 games but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as they take on Arizona. Josh Leivo will be his replacement as he heads to the press box.
This is the first one-way contract of Walker's career. The 28-year-old set career-highs in games played (30), goals (8), assists (4) and points (12) in 2022. In 2022-23, he'll be a fringe roster player yet again for the Blues.
Walker had no points and just one shot on goal in the first two games of the season, averaging just 7:49 TOI/gm. He'll be replaced by Dakota Joshua in the Blues' bottom-6.
With Vladimir Tarasenko and Robert Thomas out and Oskar Sundqvist traded to the Red Wings on Monday, the Blues were down to 10 healthy forwards. Walker, who has 44 points (19G / 25A) in 47 AHL games this season, is expected to suit up as the 11th forward.
Walker has put up strong AHL numbers over the years but hasn't been much of a factor at the NHL level. Over the last three years, he has scored two goals with two assists (four points) in 16 games with the Capitals and Blues. Look for him to remain in the AHL for most of 2021-22.
Walman appeared in a single game a season ago, spending most of the season in the AHL, where he had eight goals and 19 assists (27 points) in 57 games with San Antonio. He'll dress as a seventh defenseman, replacing Kyle Clifford.
Walker appeared in five games during his call-up but was a healthy scratch on Tuesday and returns to the AHL with Oskar Sundqvist returning to the lineup on Thursday. Walker has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 20 AHL games this season.
Walker played very well in his first three games during his call-up but hasn't been as good in his last two games. On Tuesday he will be replaced by Jordan Kyrou, who was called-up from San Antonio (AHL) on Monday.
Walker had one assist in three games with Washington this season but has been sent to Hershey to clear a roster spot for Travis Boyd (foot), who makes his season debut on Monday. Walker had 22 points (9G / 13A) in 40 AHL games last season.
