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Torey Krug will not play this season for the St. Louis Blues because of an ankle injury that will require surgery.

Previously, the defenseman was diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, a result of an earlier bone fracture in his NHL career. In July, the Blues stated that Krug would undergo a 6-8 week rehabilitation program before a re-evaluation to decide if surgery is necessary.

Last season, the 33-year-old player scored 39 points (four goals, 35 assists) in 77 games for the Blues. This marked his fourth season with the team, following his signing of a seven-year contract, worth $45.5 million, on Oct. 9, 2020. This contract has an average annual value of $6.5 million.

Krug sustained a foot injury in the previous offseason and was sidelined for multiple games due to various injuries in each of his initial three seasons with the Blues. However, in September 2023, he announced that he had refused to waive his no-trade clause.

“He expressed his decision to remain here, saying, “I believe I want to be a part of this space, cherish playing for this city, and donning the Bluenote. It’s something that excites me greatly…I have a family and kids, a multitude of considerations, but ultimately, as I’ve mentioned, I want to be here, wearing the Note. Our locker room here is tremendous, and the atmosphere this year is positive. I believe we can swiftly turn things around.”

Krug, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Boston Bruins on March 25, 2012, has accumulated 483 points (89 goals, 394 assists) in 778 regular-season games and 57 points (11 goals, 46 assists) in 82 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Blues, who begin the regular season at the Seattle Kraken on Oct. 8, signed defensemen Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph to one-year contracts this offseason.