Red Wings ‘fairly optimistic’ about Robby Fabbri; Austin Czarnik recalled

Following the NHL trade deadline, the Detroit Red Wings had been operating with just 12 forwards and seven defenders on their active roster. A move was anticipated with forward Robby Fabbri suffering a lower-body injury against Chicago. Still, with all due respect to Austin Czarnik, many fans, myself included, expected to see Elmer Soderblom back with the Red Wings.

Fabbri took an awkward hit from Tyler Johnson on the boards Wednesday night and, although in considerable pain, was trying to test his leg. The Blackhawks would score moments later as they recognized they had a mini five-on-four advantage with Fabbri compromised.

Following Chicago’s goal, the 27-year-old needed assistance down the tunnel as he headed straight for Detroit’s room. After being checked out, Fabbri went down to Detroit’s practice ice below Little Caesar’s Arena to test out the leg again but would not return. Fabbri won’t be available this weekend as the Detroit Red Wings square off with Tyler Bertuzzi and the Boston Bruins in a home-and-home weekend series.

Detroit Red Wings ‘fairly optimistic’ about Robby Fabbri’s injury; Austin Czarnik recalled.

Currently, the Detroit Red Wings are very optimistic regarding Fabbri’s injury, which is excellent news considering the veteran forward has already sustained three serious ACL injuries in his young career. A fourth torn knee might just be too much to overcome. Fabbri has totaled seven goals and 16 points over 28 games this season for the Red Wings since returning from a torn ACL suffered last March.

“Fabbs won’t be available this weekend, but we’re fairly optimistic we’ll see him again this year and hopefully it’s not long-term,” Lalonde said.“Obviously, we’re going to be extremely cautious with it,” Lalonde said. “We’re optimistic it’s not long term.”

With Fabbri sidelined for at least the weekend, the Detroit Red Wings elected to recall Austin Czarnik from the Grand Rapids Griffins. Czarnik filled in for Detroit earlier this season, appearing in 12 games, scoring two goals totaling three points while skating to a plus-1 rating while averaging just over 11 minutes per game. In 42 games this season for Grand Rapids, Czarnik has recorded 13 goals and 36 points.

With Detroit needing a forward recalled, I am somewhat surprised that the Red Wings have decided to leave Soderblom down. Soderblom played 21 games for Detroit early on, recording five goals and eight points.

With the Griffins, Soderblom has mirrored those numbers over 20 games. Despite a recent surge in his play, it’s apparent general manager Steve Yzerman is content with leaving the 6-foot-8 winger to marinate in the AHL for the time being.