BUY-OUTS, RETIREMENTS and UFAs: BUY-OUTS---Ilya Bryzgalov, Danny Briere, Vincent Lecavalier, Steve Montador, Tomas Kaberle & Rostislav Olesz.......RETIREES---Andy McDonald, Andy Sutton, Anterro Niittymaki, Jochen Hecht, Scott Nichol, Miikka Kiprusoff......TOP UFAs---Mike Ribeiro, Jarome Iginla, Pasc read more

McDonald, 35, has 489 points in 685 games with the Anaheim Ducks and Blues, but concussion issues have plagued him over the years. "I'm fortunate to get out now," McDonald told Andy Strickland of the website TrueHockey.com. "I know I could play two or three more years and I love the game of hockey, but health-wise I know I shouldn't be playing." McDonald spent the past six seasons with the Blues, and had 21 points in 37 regular-season games, but was held without a point in the Blues' first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

McDonald missed Sunday's game vs Detroit with the flu.

Monitor his status after the Blues morning skate.

No word on why McDonald is not on the ice. It does not appear as if he will play this afternoon.

Kris Russell will play at forward in McDonald's place.

McDonald hasn't played since February 23rd because of a knee injury. He has been injury prone throughout his career, so while he is a good player he is always an injury risk. He has 11 points in 18 games this season.

McDonald missed the Blues last nine games with a knee injury. He has had a hard time staying healthy in his career so there is no surprise he is having another injury plagued season. It sounds like he could return tomorrow, but we won't know until after tomorrow's morning skate at the earliest.

The Blues have home games Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of this week so it sounds like McDonald will be back soon.

McDonald got tangled up with Alex Steen in practice yesterday and left the ice without putting any weight on his left leg. He has been placed on IR today with no timetable for his return.