St. Louis Blues: Robby Fabbri Replacement Choices
The St. Louis Blues can’t catch a break. Just when you think things might be taking a turn for the better, it goes south rather quickly. Unfortunately this time it might be injury related.
The St. Louis Blues had gone about 60% of the 2016-17 season without any really catastrophic injuries. There were the usual bumps and bruises and an occasional week or two missed, but the Blues had relative health…until now.
It could be one of those things that just sort of works out. It does not look like it’s going to though. (It is now confirmed Fabbri is out for the season.)
When Robby Fabbri went awkwardly into the wall during a check from Pittsburgh, the reaction was not good. Trainer Ray Barile was on the ice in a flash.
Fabbri could barely make it off the ice and was not putting any weight on his left leg. Once he made it to the bench, he needed two people to help him to the locker room.
None of that makes it seem like this is something that ends well. The best case scenario right now seems to be Fabbri not being out the entire season.
The Blues have little chance to make the playoffs without him. It certainly can be done, but it will be a lot harder without someone the Blues had been leaning on for some scoring.
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Fabbri was on pace to eclipse his rookie year totals and he still has not had that great a year. At the time of his injury, he had 11 goals and 29 points.
That is not too bad when his fantastic first year saw 18 goals and 37 points. His defensive numbers have not been good, but nobody on the Blues has been.
Fabbri is only in year two, but he was already becoming someone on par with a Jaden Schwartz in terms of scoring prowess. Now the Blues might be without him for some time.
Replacements
The Blues will undoubtedly just insert Dmitrij Jaskin into the lineup at first. They may even try to not bring up any minor league talent.
On the surface that doesn’t seem like a terrible idea. The Blues have already lost two guys with potential by having them in the NHL too long and needing them to clear waivers and getting claimed.
So, St. Louis will almost have to bring someone up just for insurance. The question is who.
Kenny Agostino jumps right off the page. The kid is lighting up the American Hockey League. He is currently 15 points ahead of the second leading scorer in the league.
He’s got 18 goals and 60 points. That’s the kind of scoring the Blues need to replace Fabbri and still keep any hope of a playoff push alive.
The flip side of that argument is whether you think he would benefit more from continuing his hot streak. Guys rarely keep those numbers going when making the jump, so would a sudden stop in production stunt his growth?
Agostino is not old by any means, but he’s not incredibly young either. At 24, maybe this would be a decent time to bring him up. Hopefully he would be mentally strong enough to realize the game won’t come as easy at the next level and continue to battle through adversity.
Another name could be Wade Megan. Before you call me crazy, I realize he is a center and Fabbri has been on the wing.
Still, bringing up a center could move Patrik Berglund back to a wing position where he is just as comfortable. It would put the Blues in a bit of a tight spot if two of their four centers are now AHL guys, but you have to try something.
Megan has kept up the pace since being sent back to the minors. After scoring his debut NHL goal, he has still managed to put up 21 goals and 38 points. With that kind of scoring, you might even entertain the idea of putting him on the wing.
Andrew Agozzino is also a possibility. He has 10 goals and 29 points in 43 games played.
Those are not overwhelming numbers, but they are good enough to think about a recall. Additionally, if you have any consideration for your AHL affiliate, it might put less a strain on the team to be without Agozzino.
Lastly, there is the choice of Magnus Paajarvi. He is not doing much better in the AHL than he was in the NHL.
Blues fans would almost universally pan this move, but NHL experience does count for something. Also, his loss would clearly not break up the Wolves’ chemistry. That might come into consideration as the Wolves are much better off in terms of playoff seeding than the Blues.
If push came to shove, you could also choose either Jordan Caron or Chris Butler. Both have some NHL experience, so would not have to be acclimated to the bright lights so to speak.
Butler is a defenseman, but has played some forward in a pinch. Caron is not lighting anything on fire, but has seen time with both the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins.
No clear winner
If it was up to me, and thank goodness it is not, I would recall Agostino. He’s done enough in the AHL this season to have earned a call up.
Yes, it would not benefit the Wolves to lose their leading scorer but at this juncture of the season, we can’t care about that – sorry Wolves fans. The Blues need to be selfish.
The Blues have to focus on both their immediate future and potentially see how any of these guys might fit in Mike Yeo’s system. It’s not an ideal scenario by any means, but it could have lasting benefits if anyone clicks.
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