Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Join the discussion about the Blues.

[Complete Blues coverage on STLtoday.com]

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Blues Talk Moderators

blackinkbiz
Forum User
Posts: 4672
Joined: 05 May 2020 14:17 pm

Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by blackinkbiz »

Who's got the goods on why Dean's been getting help?

Drugs, depression, drinking, DUI?
tfriede2
Forum User
Posts: 153
Joined: 25 May 2024 21:54 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by tfriede2 »

blackinkbiz wrote: 04 Jan 2026 11:29 am Who's got the goods on why Dean's been getting help?

Drugs, depression, drinking, DUI?
None of us know, and it’ll stay that way unless and until Dean speaks publicly on it, but there’s no reason for him to do so.
The Average Gatsby
Forum User
Posts: 185
Joined: 04 Jun 2025 15:44 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by The Average Gatsby »

He missed a bunch of time due to injury last year so I would guess he got addicted to pain killers. It’s a pretty common occurrence with people that have severe injuries.
TAFKAP
Forum User
Posts: 2338
Joined: 10 May 2018 17:44 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by TAFKAP »

The Average Gatsby wrote: 04 Jan 2026 13:32 pm He missed a bunch of time due to injury last year so I would guess he got addicted to pain killers. It’s a pretty common occurrence with people that have severe injuries.
That's what my money is on. It didn't come from anything that was on public display (Car accident, assault, charges filed, things like that). I wish him the best for sure.
STL fan in MN
Forum User
Posts: 2727
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:57 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by STL fan in MN »

The Average Gatsby wrote: 04 Jan 2026 13:32 pm He missed a bunch of time due to injury last year so I would guess he got addicted to pain killers. It’s a pretty common occurrence with people that have severe injuries.
This is the logical guess but the post above is also 100% correct - we won’t know the exact reason unless Dean ever shares the reason why.
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 5857
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by theograce »

Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
aslord
Forum User
Posts: 500
Joined: 24 May 2024 11:01 am

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by aslord »

why does it matter? mind yer own business
schwartzwatch
Forum User
Posts: 272
Joined: 01 Jun 2024 22:18 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by schwartzwatch »

theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 5857
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by theograce »

schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
schwartzwatch
Forum User
Posts: 272
Joined: 01 Jun 2024 22:18 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by schwartzwatch »

theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 5857
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by theograce »

schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:21 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
….I know
schwartzwatch
Forum User
Posts: 272
Joined: 01 Jun 2024 22:18 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by schwartzwatch »

theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:23 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:21 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
….I know
It's..not..your..fault...
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 5857
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by theograce »

schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:32 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:23 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:21 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
….I know
It's..not..your..fault...
Image
Absolut
Forum User
Posts: 12934
Joined: 12 Jan 2020 20:06 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by Absolut »

I’ll just let myself out. This is awkward.
schwartzwatch
Forum User
Posts: 272
Joined: 01 Jun 2024 22:18 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by schwartzwatch »

theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:38 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:32 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:23 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:21 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
….I know
It's..not..your..fault...
Image
I figured you were sharp enough to get here. Stop poking the bear, and be that guy.
theograce
Forum User
Posts: 5857
Joined: 27 Apr 2024 20:56 pm

Re: Why was Zach Dean (now cleared to play) in the NHL Assistance Program?

Post by theograce »

schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 16:03 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:38 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:32 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:23 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:21 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:19 pm
schwartzwatch wrote: 04 Jan 2026 15:08 pm
theograce wrote: 04 Jan 2026 14:55 pm Fentanyl or alcohol perhaps
Theo ... look at me, son ...it's not your fault...
I know…
No, you don't ...it's not your fault...
….I know
It's..not..your..fault...
Image
I figured you were sharp enough to get here. Stop poking the bear, and be that guy.
What bear what was poked?
Post Reply