How Does Robby Fabbri Fit on this Team? What is His Role with the Red Wings?
Robby Fabbri has been an enigma for me. Feeling like he has always just been a one-way player, and an average one at that, it’s made it hard for me to see the long-term plan for him.
When you look at some of the guys that the Red Wings have planned for their future, there’s generally something that they do that brings value to the team. Fabbri, other than speed, doesn’t really have that. I mean, he has offensive talent, yes. But, it’s not really elite. It’s also hard to overlook the fact that he’s missed many, many, many games with injuries. Not just in his time with the Red Wings but even dating back to him with the Blues.
In my opininion, consistency means everything in this league. You see so many players around the league trying to find their place by displaying their strengths for the coaches. However, the minute they are asked to do something they aren’t good at, their weaknesses shine over their strengths leaving them as bottom line players. In this instance, that isn’t good.
Robby Fabbri, although one of the best skaters on this Red Wings team, is one of the worst defensive forwards we have. He has no defensive awareness or IQ that makes his line, well, not great on the +/- chart. Furthermore, I feel like that was a big part of the reason why the Blues were willing to deal him to us for de la Rose. So, where does he fit?
Robby Fabbri is more than likely going to be starting the season on the third-line. In my opinion that is his spot to start the year. However, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him on the fourth-line and ask him to be a grinder. His speed is dangerous and if he can become more aggreisve on the boards, he could make for a really good, quick shift, hard checking, player.