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.
Thomas will not play for the third time in four games after suffering a setback with his upper-body injury. The Blues will also be without Vladimir Tarasenko, who is out with an illness.
Joseph was a fourth-round pick in 2015 and has not produced a lot offensively, playing largely in a depth role with the Lightning. In Ottawa, Joseph should play higher up the lineup and could find a little more offence. The 25-year-old has scored eight goals with 10 assists (18 points) in 58 games this season.
Thomas missed the last two games with an illness but is expected to replace Vladimir Tarasenko (illness) in the lineup on Saturday. Thomas comes in with four goals and two assists in his last two games.
Buchnevich missed the last three games with a concussion but will play Thursday vs. the Penguins. Buchnevich is expected to return on the Blues' third line and comes in with 19 goals and 27 assists (46 points) in 50 games this season.
Thomas was on the ice for the morning skate but will miss his second straight game with a non-COVID illness. Brayden Schenn should remain with Jordan Kyrou and Vladimir Tarasenko with Thomas out.
Buchnevich will miss his second straight game with a concussion that he suffered vs. the Senators on Tuesday. Logan Brown will remain in the lineup vs. the Predators. Buchnevich is questionable to play Sunday as well.
Head coach Jeff Blashill suspects that Fabbri tore his ACL, which would be the third time he's suffered a torn ACL. It is not the same knee as previous tears but it will once again be a long road back for Fabbri.
Buchnevich was put in concussion protocol when he took a hit to the head from Austin Watson in Tuesday's loss to the Senators. Head coach Craig Berube said that Buchnevich was "not doing well" on Wednesday, so don't expect to see him vs. the Rangers.
Sundqvist missed Sunday's game in Chicago but will play Wednesday in New York. Sundqvist will replace Klim Kostin and skat on the fourth line with Tyler Bozak and Dakota Joshua.
The Blues drafted Cranley in the sixth-round in 2020. The 20-year-old netminder has gone 11-19-2 with a 3.84 GAA and .872 SV% in 34 games with the Ottawa 67's (OHL).
