Free Bortuzzo. That’s the rally cry Blues fans have been screaming on Twitter ever since the Blues announced their lineup for Game 1 against the Wild. Following the Game 3 disaster, the cry grew louder and fans questioned why Ken Hitchcock was ignoring the physical defenseman. Is it because of his puck-handling? Is Carl Gunnarsson truly the better option? Or is it for a different reason all together, such as an injury?
Speculation has grown that Bortuzzo may in fact be hurt, though the Blues haven’t confirmed anything at this time.
Re Bortuzzo: There is reason to believe he is still dealing with an injury, and even if the Blues wanted to play him, that's keeping him out
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 22, 2015
Bortuzzo suffered upper-body vs. Chicago on April 5 and missed 2 games. He returned for season finale, played 19:34 but hasn't played since.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 22, 2015
Bortuzzo has practiced every day with the #stlblues. But off the ice, he requires a heavy treatment pack around the area of the injury.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 22, 2015
So in conclusion nothing has been confirmed. Bortuzzo may be out because Blues are electing that. But I wouldn't rule out injury possibility
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 22, 2015
This is speculation by Rutherford, but it’s educated speculation. Considering the Blues have passed on Bortuzzo for Game 4 and there’s no better time than the present to shake things up, an injury is the most logical solution.
We won’t know what Bortuzzo is dealing with or what the severity of his injury might be, but it sounds like fans should be chanting Heal Bortuzzo instead of Free Bortuzzo.
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