Here’s a move that’s sure to spark some debate among hockey fans: The St. Louis Blues have brought back a familiar face, signing forward Robby Fabbri to a one-year, two-way contract. But here’s where it gets interesting—this deal comes with a split salary of $775,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL, raising questions about Fabbri’s role and future with the team. Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong made the announcement today, confirming Fabbri will join the squad in Nashville on Thursday. And this is the part most people miss: while Fabbri returns, the Blues also placed forward Jordan Kyrou on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, listed as week-to-week—a significant shake-up for the lineup.
Fabbri, now 29, is no stranger to St. Louis. Originally drafted by the Blues in the first round (21st overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, the Mississauga, Ontario native spent his first four seasons with the team. During his time as a Blue, he racked up 73 points (32 goals, 41 assists) in 164 regular-season games, along with 60 penalty minutes. He also played a role in the Blues’ historic 2019 Stanley Cup victory, suiting up for 10 postseason games. But here’s the controversial part: after being traded to Detroit in 2019, Fabbri’s journey took him to Anaheim before landing back in St. Louis. Is this a redemption arc or a temporary stopgap? Fans are divided.
This season, Fabbri has already made his mark in the AHL, recording two points (one goal, one assist) in three games with the Charlotte Checkers. But his NHL resume is even more impressive: across 442 career regular-season games with St. Louis, Detroit, and Anaheim, he’s tallied 216 points (106 goals, 110 assists) and 203 penalty minutes. The question now is, can Fabbri reclaim his former glory with the Blues, or is this a strategic move to bolster depth? Let’s spark some discussion—do you think Fabbri’s return is a smart play by the Blues, or is this a risky bet on a player who’s seen better days? Share your thoughts in the comments!
