I agree that Fabbri isn't close to the same Fabbri he was pre-injury and he needs to get up to speed. How can he get up to speed if he's not playing? He needs playing time. I would never advocate Fabbri getting playing time by taking a player who is playing well out of the lineup. But Fabbri can't start some games over Sanford? That's my biggest issue. If he's riding the bench because there's legitimately no spot for him on the roster, then fine. But seeing Sanford in over him doesn't make sense to me.
Tells you what Berube thinks of his game.
And honestly, if Chief gets re-signed to be the coach of the Blues, the writing is on the wall for a Fabbri trade unless this organization's depth suddenly dries up.
If he can't beat the likes of Maroon, MacEachern, Blais & Sanford for playing time now, it's not going to get any easier as guys get healthier and graduate through the system.
I get he's rusty...but he's also pretty bad, and playing 29 NHL games over the past 25 months is simply an unfortunate byproduct of a situation that sucks for the club as well as the player. Pro-sports isn't big on "what ifs" and "reclamation projects", at least not amongst clubs that are focused on winning in the present. It would be cool to see him come back and through sheer will make himself an impact player with the Blues, but it's a long shot based on what he's shown thus far and the organizational depth he's going to have to overcome.