Scandella to be re-evaluated in 6 months after hip surgery

St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella will be re-evaluated in six months after undergoing hip surgery Tuesday, the team announced.

The 32-year-old blue-liner injured his right hip joint in August while preparing for the 2022-23 season, the Blues stated in a release. The initial timeline has him set to be re-evaluated in March.

Scandella totaled three goals and 17 points in 70 games with St. Louis last season. He was shuffled down the Blues' lineup in 2021-22, seeing his average ice time drop from 19:57 in 2020-21 to 18:08 last year. A lower-body injury during the playoffs limited him to four postseason games.

Niko Mikkola and Scott Perunovich are expected to compete for Scandella's spot in the lineup during training camp.

Scandella has two years remaining on a contract carrying an annual average value of $3.25 million. He will be eligible for long-term injured reserve.