Blues' Berube expects O'Reilly to return Saturday vs. Coyotes

St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube said Friday he expects captain Ryan O'Reilly to return Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas.

O'Reilly hasn't played since Dec. 31 against the Minnesota Wild due to a broken foot. He played through the injury after blocking a shot during St. Louis' 5-2 loss and logged just over 19 minutes in the contest.

He skated with the team for the first time Thursday.

"It feels good," O'Reilly said afterward, according to team beat reporter Chris Pinkert. "I've been able to skate the last three days, so it's nice to have that first skate with the boys, but it's a little unknown ... we have to talk to some doctors and stuff on where we sit, but as of now, it's good."

He added, "If I do force it and rush back, that's what they're concerned about is making the injury bigger. That's why we have to be safe and be cautious as we progress here."

A pending unrestricted free agent, O'Reilly has struggled this season, mustering just 10 goals and six assists in 37 games. However, the 2019 Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe winner is bound to draw attention and could be on the move ahead of the March 3 trade deadline.

O'Reilly said in late January that he hopes to stay in St. Louis.

Berube also said Friday he expects Pavel Buchnevich to return to the lineup versus the Coyotes. Buchnevich, who's recorded 38 points in 38 contests this campaign, has missed the Blues' last four games due to an ankle injury.

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