Robert Thomas has been activated from injured reserve just in time for the St. Louis Blues’ upcoming Saturday game against the New Jersey Devils. Thomas had been sidelined since January due to an injury and took additional personal leave following the Olympic break, delaying his return to the lineup.
Robby Fabbri Likely to be Waived Following Thomas’ Activation
In a related roster move, the Blues have placed Robby Fabbri on the non-roster list, signaling the intention to waive him before Saturday’s match, according to AP News reporter Stephen Whyno. Fabbri, who began the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, rejoined the Blues on an in-season contract but has posted modest statistics, tallying four points and 12 penalty minutes with a minus-three rating across 15 games with St. Louis.
Impact of Thomas’ Absence and Returning Role
Thomas’ absence was noticeable, as he has been St. Louis’ leading scorer and most utilized center, averaging 19 minutes per game and collecting 33 points in 42 games this season. Coming off two seasons marked by 60 assists each, Thomas has established himself as the team’s primary playmaker since Ryan O’Reilly’s departure. The Blues relied heavily on Pavel Buchnevich to fill the void, moving the veteran winger into Thomas’ spot on the power play and penalty kill units. However, Buchnevich struggled in faceoffs, managing just a 39.8% win rate, creating further challenges for the team.
Potential Adjustments to the Blues’ Center Depth
With Thomas now back, the Blues face decisions about reshaping their center depth. Slovakian Olympian Dalibor Dvorsky might be called upon to ease the burden on Buchnevich, while Brayden Schenn and Jimmy Snuggerud could share responsibilities in the second-line center role. Each option presents trade-offs as the Blues prepare to face tough Western Conference competition and aim to reestablish their offensive rhythm.
Significance of Thomas’ Activation for the Blues’ Upcoming Schedule
The return of Robert Thomas offers a much-needed boost to the Blues as they confront critical games in the Western Conference. His playmaking ability and ice time leadership are vital components for the team’s success. Meanwhile, the move involving Robby Fabbri underscores the roster adjustments the Blues are making to optimize performance and address lineup challenges following injuries and personal absences. How the team integrates Thomas and adapts its depth chart in the coming games will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
#StLBlues announce Robert Thomas has been activated and is expected to play today at Minnesota.
Robby Fabbri has been designated non-roster to clear space, meaning he's almost certainly going on waivers this afternoon.
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 1, 2026
