BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 03: Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) stares down a Capital during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals on October 3, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Milan Lucic signs PTO with St. Louis Blues after nearly two years away from hockey
  • Blues GM Doug Armstrong and president Peter Chiarelli betting on the 37-year-old enforcer’s comeback
  • Read below for why St. Louis is giving Lucic a second chance

The St. Louis Blues are rolling the dice on one of the hockey’s most controversial players.

Milan Lucic officially signed a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the Blues on Tuesday, marking his first shot at NHL action since October 2023.

The 37-year-old bruiser hasn’t played meaningful hockey in nearly two full seasons after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program during the 2023-24 campaign.

If you’re wondering why the Blues signed the polarizing Lucic to a PTO, look no further than St. Louis’ front office. Blues president of hockey operations, Peter Chiarelli, originally drafted Lucic 50th overall back in 2006 when he was running the show in Boston. Old connections die hard.

The Long Road Back

Lucic’s last NHL action was four games with Boston in 2023-24, before everything went wrong. He took an indefinite leave of absence in November, following an alleged domestic incident that resulted in assault and battery charges. Those charges were eventually dropped in February 2024 after his wife Brittany refused to testify.

Since then? Radio silence on the ice. Nearly two full seasons away from NHL competition at age 37.

His wife posted on Instagram about “diligently working on rebuilding their lives together.” Now it appears Lucic is trying to rebuild his hockey career, too.

Why St. Louis Takes This Shot

Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t dumb. He knows the Lucic he’s getting in 2025 isn’t the same Lucic who scored 30 goals for Boston in 2011.

This is about adding sandpaper to the bottom six. Lucic still owns 3,265 career hits over 17 seasons. Even if the legs are gone, that intimidation factor might prove valuable in limited minutes.

New Blues coach Jim Montgomery only had four games with Lucic in Boston before things fell apart. Now he gets a second look at what the veteran could bring to his system.

Reality Check Time

Let’s be honest: Lucic’s best days are long past. His last decent season was in 2021-22, when he scored 21 points in 82 games for Calgary. The following year, that number dropped to 19 points in 77 games. At this point, he’s purely a depth signing who brings grit and veteran presence.

(Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

A PTO means he’s got to earn a contract in training camp. There are no guarantees he makes the team, and the Blues can walk away if it doesn’t work out. Not to mention, the CBA requires teams to offer a certain amount of PTO’s to veteran players. This could very well go nowhere.

But if somehow Lucic finds a way to contribute? St. Louis gets a Stanley Cup champion with over 1K NHL games and a Cup ring. With 77 points in 136 playoff games, Looch’s postseason experience could rub off on younger Blues players.

The timing of the announcement says everything. This news dropped late at night when most fans were asleep. The organization knows this PTO signing comes with major baggage.

Lucic to the Blues?

Whether Lucic actually cracks the Blues’ opening night roster remains a massive question mark. He’s on the wrong side of 30 with diminished speed and skills. The ex-Bruin is fighting a massive uphill battle to prove he belongs in today’s faster NHL.

The Blues open training camp next month, where Lucic will need to show he’s got enough left in the tank to warrant a real NHL contract. Don’t hold your breath for a comeback story.