The St. Louis Blues have activated forward Robert Thomas from non-roster status ahead of their road game against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Forward Robby Fabbri has been designated as non-roster in a corresponding move. Thomas is set to return after missing time due to injury and a personal leave.
St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Doug Armstrong announced on Saturday that the team has activated forward Robert Thomas, while forward Robby Fabbri has been designated non-roster. Thomas, a 26-year-old native of Aurora, Ontario, is expected to play in the lineup when the Blues visit the Minnesota Wild at 4 p.m. CT on Sunday at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Thomas has not appeared in a game since January 10, missing 13 contests due to a lower-body injury that required a minor surgical procedure in late January. He returned to practice following the all-star break but took a personal leave of absence earlier this week. In 42 games this season, Thomas has recorded 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and 12 penalty minutes. Over his career, he has tallied 429 points (118 goals, 311 assists) in 508 regular-season games.
Blues head coach Jim Montgomery expressed enthusiasm about Thomas's return, stating, "We're happy and excited to have him back. Adds to the depth of our team, and it's good to have our number one center back."
Fabbri, 30, from Mississauga, Ontario, has posted four points (one goal, three assists) and 12 penalty minutes in 15 games this season. His career totals stand at 220 points (107 goals, 113 assists) and 215 penalty minutes in 457 regular-season games.
The game marks the start of a four-game road trip for the Blues, who went 1-1 in a homestand after the break, including a 3-1 loss to New Jersey on Saturday. The Wild, coming off a 5-2 defeat to Utah that ended a six-game winning streak, are in contention for the Central Division title alongside the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.
This is the second of three meetings between the teams this season; the Blues are 4-4-0 in their last eight games against Minnesota. Forward Pavel Buchnevich leads the Blues with 36 points, including a four-game point streak. For the Wild, Matt Boldy enters with a nine-game point streak and leads the team with 35 goals.
Defenseman Colton Parayko is day-to-day with back spasms and doubtful for Sunday after missing Saturday's game. Joel Hofer is projected to start in net for St. Louis.