Blues’ Robert Thomas activated from IR, expected to play against Wild
The St. Louis Blues are finally getting their top-line center back.
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong announced that Robert Thomas has been activated off of injured reserve and is expected to play against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday.
Robert Thomas has been activated; Robby Fabbri has been designated as non-roster. stlblues.me/403LzQ0 #stlblues
In a corresponding move, forward Robby Fabbri has been designated as non-roster, with the likelihood of being placed on waivers.
Thomas, 26, underwent a minor procedure on his leg in late January. He hasn’t played since sustaining a lower-body injury during January 10th’s 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Overall, the Aurora, Ontario native has missed 17 games this season due to injury.
In 42 games played this season, Thomas has 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points. Remarkably, Thomas is still tied for second on the Blues in scoring this season despite having missed so much time, which speaks to St. Louis’ offensive struggles. The Blues’ 2.58 goals per game ranks 28th in the NHL.
Thomas has been the subject of some trade speculation with St. Louis currently in last place in the Central Division, even with a no-trade clause in his contract that kicked in this season. It’s easy to see why teams would be interested in Thomas, who put up 21 goals and 60 assists for 81 points in 70 games last season. His best season came in 2023-24, when he notched 26 goals and 60 assists for 86 points in all 82 games, while being named to his one and only All-Star Game.
Top-line centers that can produce at over a point-per-game pace don’t grow on trees, so if the Blues do trade Thomas before March 6th’s deadline, it would signal a full-scale, multi-year rebuild for the franchise.
After visiting the Wild on Sunday, St. Louis will continue their four-game road trip against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.