Milan Lucic has been released from his professional tryout agreement with the St. Louis Blues, ending his comeback attempt with the organization. Announced on November 25, 2025, the decision follows five AHL games with the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he recorded one assist and did not register a shot in four of those contests. At 37, this development raises questions about the tail end of his long NHL career.
Lucic’s tenure began with optimism after signing a PTO during training camp. He showed flashes of his former impact by contributing a goal and an assist in four preseason games before a lower-body injury sidelined him. After recovering and reporting to Springfield, his inability to produce at the AHL level led Blues management to terminate the arrangement.
The timeline highlights a brief but closely watched chapter in Lucic’s career. His final appearance for the organization came on November 21 in a 2-1 win over the Utica Comets.
Context surrounding his move from Boston to St. Louis includes his last NHL action with the Bruins in the 2023-24 season, a season interrupted by long-term injuries and a legal matter from November 2023. The Bruins briefly placed him on indefinite leave, and prosecutors later dropped domestic violence charges in February 2024, though the episode colored perceptions of his career.
Performance-wise, Lucic’s AHL numbers are underwhelming: five games, one assist, four penalty minutes, and zero shots on goal in four of five games. His preseason numbers showed more offense, including a goal and an assist across four exhibition games. Analysts point to factors such as injury recovery, age, system adjustments, and confidence as possible reasons for the dip in form.
Looking ahead, Lucic faces a speculative future: pursuing further NHL opportunities on PTOs, exploring European leagues, or retiring. The Blues’ mid-season struggles and the evolving NHL landscape further complicate his path forward. Regardless of the outcome, this chapter underscores how difficult comebacks can be for aging veterans in today’s fast-paced game.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.