St. Louis Blues: Robby Fabbri Injury Uncertainty

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Blues forward, Robby Fabbri, has only been in the NHL for 2 games, but that may be the most he sees in 2015-2016.

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After suffering a head injury in the team’s Saturday night loss to division rival, Minnesota Wild, Fabbri finds himself in the NHL’s concussion protocol. Essentially, it is no longer up to the team as to when he can return to the ice.

Although it didn’t appear to be as bad as David Perron’s injury, head injuries must be taken seriously. Perron suffered a concussion from a dirty play courtesy of San Jose’s Joe Thornton. Unfortunately, head injuries of promising young talent in St. Louis have precedent and fans haven’t forgotten. Andy McDonald also struggled with head injuries at the end of his career in St. Louis.

Fabbri has just 10 games in the NHL to fully “make the team.” He can be sent to the minors within those first 10 games. I saw a high-flying attacker who has the potential to really break into the NHL this year after Fabbri’s game-winner against Edmonton.

Unfortunately, this is the National Hockey League and you know what they say about the best laid plans. Fabbri was knocked out early in the 1^st period, and it caused a bit of trouble for Ken Hitchcock’s game plan.

Hitch told STL Today, “(Losing) Fabbri affected us quite a bit. We’ve got more definition on our fourth line; that’s something we’re going to have to look at with Upshall and Gomez, about possibly bringing in both so we have different depth. Certainly one guy is going to come in now. We may even bring both in.”

Scottie Upshall and Scott Gomez are both grizzled veterans who can help the team in the locker room with their leadership and experience. I’m not sure how much they have left in the tank as far as on-ice production goes, but it appears we’ll find out soon enough.

I’m not crazy about bringing those guys in right away if Fabbri is out for an extended amount of time, as fellow young-Blue, Ty Rattie is waiting in the wings. Rattie was a 2^nd round pick in 2011 for the St. Louis Blues. He notched 2 assists in 11 games played for the Blues last season at RW.

I think it’s important to develop young talent before plugging in players who have already reached their ceiling and are coming down from their peak at this point in their careers. Both players are talented and have had successful careers, but I feel it’s time to let the youth show their colors and where they are in their development cycle.

There will be plenty of time to see what Gomez and Upshall have to offer as the season goes on. While we’re still early on, it would be beneficial for the Blues’ coaches, Rattie himself, and fans to see how the youth performs. If it doesn’t work out, then he can go back to the minors. That being said, hopefully Fabbri comes back within a few days and can make the most of his 10-game “tryout” and stick around for the rest of the season at the NHL level with the St. Louis Blues.

Next: Blues Make Curious Signing In Scottie Upshall

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