Blues lose Sanford to Achilles injury

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The St. Louis Blues, who are off to a nice start but just cannot seem to keep a goaltender healthy, expect to be without Curtis Sanford for at least three weeks.

Sanford, who just recently was recalled from Worcester in the American Hockey League, suffered what has been called a sprained Achilles tendon in his left foot in the game Thursday night against Edmonton. He likely will miss at least three weeks, and joins the team's growing injured list for goalies.

The No. 1 netminder, Brent Johnson, has a high ankle sprain, and Reinhard Divis likely will not play until some time in January as he recovers from lower abdominal and groin strains.

St. Louis, which is 4-1-1, Saturday night against Calgary will go with No. 5 goaltender Fred Brathwaite, but he is winless this season, has not played very well, and also has been injured.

One of the best performers has been rookie Cody Rudkowsky, who has a save percentage of

"We keep putting in a different goalie and we keep winning," said right winger Cory Stillman.

"On a normal night, it's not going to be up to the goalie to win the game for this team," said Rudkowsky. "For the games I've seen, the goalie has to make the big save when it's needed, but it isn't the goalie that's stealing the game. It's definitely been the team."

The Blues have reached a tentative contract agreement with veteran free agent Tom Barrasso, 37, who split the 2001-02 campaign with Carolina and Toronto.

According to TSN of Canada, Barrasso inked a one-year deal worth $900,000. The deal is loaded with incentives for games played and victories.

Also, reports indicate St. Louis has reached a tentative agreement with journeyman left wing Martin Rucinsky. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Rucinsky signing is contingent upon him passing a physical.

Rucinsky is an unrestricted free agent.

After being selected 20th overall in the 1991 draft by Edmonton, Rucinsky played only two games with the Oilers before being dealt to Quebec, where he spent parts of five seasons. He

played 22 games of the team's inaugural season in Colorado before landing in Montreal as part of the 1995 trade that sent future Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy to the Avalanche.

Rucinsky began the 2001-02 campaign with the Canadiens before being traded to Dallas, where he played 42 games before finishing the season with the New York Rangers.

In 674 career games, the Czech native has recorded 178 goals and 433 points while amassing just 567 penalty minutes. Rucinsky enjoyed his best season in 1995-96, when he posted career highs of 29 goals and 75 points with Colorado and Montreal.