Barbashev returns to St. Louis for birth of first child

Ivan Barbashev has left the bubble.

The Blues' forward boarded a flight back to St. Louis to be with his wife, Ksenia, as the couple anticipates the birth of their first child.

After the baby is born, Barbashev will return to Edmonton and be required to quarantine in his hotel room for at least four days. In order to exit quarantine and return to practice and games, he will need to receive four negative COVID-19 tests.

"We felt it was important for Ivan to be with us for the first two games of the restart and we were prepared for him leaving to go back to St. Louis to be with Ksenia," said Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong. "We wish them both the best and look forward to seeing Ivan back in Edmonton during the first round of the playoffs."

Barbashev said last month that despite the big life moment, it never crossed his mind to not travel to Edmonton with the team.

"We didn't even talk about it, (whether) to opt out or not," Barbashev said. "It was actually really simple. I'm still 24, I have a full career ahead of me. After winning (the Cup) last year, I want to do it all over again. That feeling has been stuck in me for a long time and you just get even more hungry after winning."