Lehtera scored a goal, dished out two helpers, went plus-1 and took a minor penalty in Tuesday's overtime win over Dallas. The big night doubled his point total. Lehtera's off to a curious start to the year, as he's got six points in seven games, but all that production has come in just two of those games. The Blues would surely like to see some more consistency, but they certainly can't complain about his prowess in the faceoff circle this year so far.

Lehtera (illness) returned to practice Wednesday, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. Lehtera didn't play Sunday because of the illness, but should be fine for Thursday's game against the Canucks. He will likely center the second line alongside Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz.

Lehtera (illness) should be able to play in Thursday's game against the Canucks, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports. Lehtera missed Sunday's game and did not take part in Tuesday's practice due to the illness, but it appears he should be able to play Thursday after resting for another day or two.

Lehtera will not play in Sunday's game against the Ducks due to an illness, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Lehtera will sit out Sunday, but he may miss just the lone game, as the Blues do not play again until Thursday. Chris Porter will dress in Lehtera's place.

Lehtera scored a goal and added two assists in Saturday's win over Arizona. The Blues third line also consisting of Vladamir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz combined for a whopping 10 points in the win. Lehtera, who was held off the scoresheet in the team's first three games, picked up his first three points of the season Saturday. The 26-year-old will continue to get opportunities to produce, playing on the third line and second power-play unit.

Lehtera will start the year between wingers Jaden Schwartz and Jokim Lindstrom, according to coach Ken Hitchcock, reports Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lehtera had a strong camp and will start his rookie season in an envious position. He could be a sleeper if he continues his quick adjustment to the NHL.

Lehtera scored twice and added an assist in 18:41 of ice time Saturday in the Blues' final preseason game, a loss to Minnesota. Lehtera looks poised to get off to a strong start with St. Louis. Although the Blues are stacked up front, the rookie could find himself among the top nine forwards, which would make him a valuable player.

Lehtera appears close to making the team, according to Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. This news is not unexpected, but it is comforting to see that Lehtera is not listed among the bubble players in camp. Where he fits in the lineup remains to be seen, but he has played a regular shift (just under 16 minutes in Tuesday's pre-season game) and this is positive news for the rookie.

Lehtera is expected to open the season on one of the Blues' top three lines, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Coach Ken Hitchcock will probably have a clearer idea of where Lethera will slot in once he sees how the Finnish forward coalesces with his teammates in training camp, but it's clear that the team didn't give him a two-year, $5.5 million deal on the first day of free agency to rot on the fourth line. The 26-year-old lit up the KHL the last four seasons, the first two of which he played on a line with current Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko. Even if Lehtera doesn't serve as the center on Tarasenko's line to start the season, the Blues have plenty of scoring talent among the rest of their top nine to provide Lehtera will plenty of opportunities to pick up assists and boost his plus/minus rating.

Jori Lehtera's recently signed contract with St. Louis is worth $5.5 million over two years. Lehtera has 12 goals and 32 assists in 48 KHL games in 2013-14. The 26-year-old forward has never played professional hockey in North America outside of a seven-game AHL stint in 2008-09, so he's a significant risk going into 2014-15. That being said, the Blues have suggested that he might play alongside Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko, so it looks like he'll be given every opportunity to establish himself in the NHL.