Blues' Yeo hopes AHL leading scorer Agostino can help offset Fabbri injury
Kenny Agostino may never get a better shot.
The St. Louis Blues recalled the 24-year-old forward from the AHL in light of a season-ending ACL injury suffered by Robby Fabbri, and head coach Mike Yeo will start Agostino on the second line Monday against Philadelphia.
"(Agostino) has been having a great deal of success (in the AHL) and I want him to come up and show us what he can do," Yeo said, per Chris Pinkert from the team's website. "I don't want him thinking about too much or worried one mistake will take him out of the lineup. I want to see what he can bring us and we'll give him a good chance tonight."
Agostino, a 2010 fifth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, led the AHL in scoring with 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) at the time of his recall.
His debut with the Blues will mark his 11th career NHL appearance, with the previous 10 coming with the Calgary Flames, to whom he was dealt as part of the Jarome Iginla trade in 2013.
The loss of Fabbri can't be understated, but Yeo is confident Agostino (among others) can step up and help the team clinch a playoff berth.
"It's a very tough loss," Yeo said of Fabbri's injury. "I've been real impressed with Robby, I love his competitiveness. Every time he's out on the ice he's trying to make a difference and make something happen. That said, we're trying to develop the mentality of next man up. I think we have some guys in our lineup that can bite off a little bit more, bring a little more and help relieve us in his absence."
Agostino is set to skate on a line with Jori Lehtera and David Perron.