Making the case for the Detroit Red Wings to resign forward Robby Fabbri.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has proven he has strong hockey sense.
He developed the Tampa Bay Lightning into a perennial powerhouse team despite failing to win the Stanley Cup, and he’s already beginning to make a positive impact on the roster he currently oversees in Detroit.
One of the moves he made – his best since taking over for former Red Wings general manager Ken Holland last year – was the acquisition of 24-year-old forward Robby Fabbri for forward Jacob de La Rose.
Fabbri, who suffered two major knee injuries during his time with the organization, was a forgotten man in St. Louis. He played nine games with the St. Louis Blues this season, typically being a healthy scratch before being sent to Detroit.
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In Detroit, he proved all he needed was playing time. Fabbri provided much-needed offense for the Red Wings in the 52 games he played, scoring 14 goals and adding 17 assists on the way to a career resurgence.
He’s set to be a restricted free agent at season’s end, but his offense alone should be why Yzerman brings him back in 2020. Fortunately, there’s more to Fabbri than scoring.
Not only does it bode well for him that he’s one of Yzerman’s guys, he’s also young and a good locker room presence. He was part of the St Louis Blues team who won the Stanley Cup in 2018-19, so he knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
Fabbri should come with a reasonable price tag, too. Expect him to get a pay raise on the $900K he made last season – likely in the $2-4 million range. That’s a good signing for a player still looking to prove consistency in his likely second season with the Red Wings.