Former first round pick claimed off of waivers in an unexpected turn of events on Monday for Robby Fabbri
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie | Imagn Images
The Minnesota Wild struck early before the trade deadline. Head coach John Hynes is getting a new forward after the team claimed Robby Fabbri off waivers Monday.
Elliotte Friedman broke the news early in the afternoon. St. Louis chose to cut Fabbri loose, and Minnesota immediately pounced.
General Manager Bill Guerin needed immediate depth scoring. This transaction provides exactly that without surrendering a single draft pick or prospect.
Fabbri brings undeniable skill to a roster desperate for consistent offensive output. Hampered by injuries, the 30-year-old has never been able to reach his full potential.
He has averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time per night in 15 games for the Blues this season. But that represents solid execution in a middle-six role for a team looking to round out its forward group.
Minnesota currently sits in a tight Central Division playoff race with a 35-22-6 record. Every single point matters down the stretch.
The Wild own a +14 goal differential but struggle to find chemistry on the third line. Fabbri fills that glaring hole instantly.
Robby Fabbri claimed by the Blues
Because grabbing a proven forward for free completely shifts Guerin's deadline strategy. He doesn't need to panic and overpay for a rental winger.
The financial impact is entirely manageable. Minnesota absorbs his $775K cap hit, keeping their future salary structure intact.
This savings allows management to focus their remaining assets on upgrading the blue line. They can now target a physical right-shot defenseman or another dynamic forward.
Fabbri fits naturally into the current offensive structure. He can fly off the rush and establish controlled entries with crisp passing.
Over his NHL career, Fabbri has proven he can produce when healthy.
He might even see significant time on the second power-play unit. The Wild convert on just 18.4 percent of their man-advantage opportunities.
Hynes will likely insert him into the active lineup by Thursday. A long road trip is the absolute perfect time to bond with the locker room.
Fabbri gets another legitimate shot in the NHL. And Minnesota gets a highly motivated veteran forward ready to prove his old team made a massive mistake.
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| POLL | ||
MARS 2|132 ANSWERS Former first round pick claimed off of waivers in an unexpected turn of events on Monday for Robby Fabbri Will Robby Fabbri become a permanent fixture in the Wild's top nine ? | ||
| Yes | 78 | 59.1 % |
| No | 54 | 40.9 % |
| List of polls | ||