Blues release forward Milan Lucic from pro tryout in AHL

Milan Lucic’s return to professional hockey appears to be on hold as the St. Louis Blues have ended the veteran forward’s professional tryout offer, the team announced Tuesday.

Lucic, who has not played in the NHL in over a year, initially signed a PTO with the Blues before the start of training camp. The 37-year-old had a goal and an assist in four preseason games before missing time with a lower-body injury.

He would return to the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he had an assist in five games. Lucic failed to record a single shot in four of the five games he played with the Thunderbirds. His most recent game was the Thunderbirds’ 2–1 win over the Utica Comets on November 21.

The hulking power forward played his first eight seasons with the Bruins and was part of the 2011 Stanley Cup team that led the franchise to its first title since 1972.

Lucic would have three seasons of over 20 goals before leaving the Bruins after the 2014–15 season. He spent one season with the Los Angeles Kings, followed by a four-season stint with the Calgary Flames, before spending the next three years with the Edmonton Oilers.

He signed a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Bruins prior to the 2023–24 season. Lucic recorded two points in four games before taking a puck to his ankle that caused him to be placed on long-term injured reserve.

He remained out of the lineup and was later arrested on suspicion of assault and battery on a family member. The Bruins placed Lucic on indefinite leave for the remainder of the season.

The Blues (7-10-6) have had a more challenging start to the first quarter of the season than any team since reaching the playoffs last year. Entering Tuesday, they are seven points behind the Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights for the final Western Conference wild-card spot, while four points behind the NHL-low Nashville Predators.