The St. Louis Blues remain a busy team this off-season, today inking two restricted free agents to new contract extensions. The team announced a one-year, two-way deal with forward Mackenzie MacEachern and soon after announced a second contract, a one-year, one-way deal for forward Robby Fabbri. The financial terms for neither deal have been disclosed.
Fabbri is the more well-known of these two players, even though he has not played a game since February 2017. The small, speedy winger has been sidelined with multiple ACL injuries in his right knee and missed the entirety of the 2017-18 season. However, Fabbri impressed as a rookie in 2015-16 and was scoring at an even higher rate the following season prior to his initial injury. The Blues have high hopes that the 2014 first-round pick can return to form, but for now it is no surprise that they will play it safe with a one-year deal. Fabbri needs to re-establish his value in St. Louis and that starts with being able to fully participate in training camp this fall and earning his top-nine role back.
MacEachern will also be looking to make an impression on the Blues front office at camp in September, as the 2012 third-rounder still has yet to make his NHL debut through two pro seasons. However, MacEachern faces an uphill battle, as the big forward recorded only ten points with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last season. MacEachern showed more offensive upside while playing at the University of Michigan, but has yet to find his game at the minors.
After signing two of their restricted free agents today, the Blues now have five qualified RFA’s remaining to sign this off-season, including regulars from last season like winger Dmitrij Jaskin and defenseman Joel Edmundson.