The Detroit Red Wings announced late Monday the team signed center Robby Fabbri to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $4 million.
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Fabbri the ‘center’
That’s the Red Wings calling Fabbri a center, not me. He plays center? On this team? I had not known.
Anyway, the 25-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He was acquired by Detroit early in the 2019-20 season from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jacob de la Rose. Fabbri then signed a two-year contract with the Red Wings ($5.9 million) in April 2020.
Now he will become the third-highest paid forward on the Red Wings at $4 million a year. Dylan Larkin’s AAV is $6.1 million through 2022-23 and Tyler Bertuzzi’s is $4.75 million, also through 2022-23.
Is this good?
It’s a fair deal, of course. Fabbri has a lot of upside and you would hope his best years are in the next 3-5. Remember, he got a bit of a slow start to his career due to injuries. He was drafted 21st overall by the Blues in 2014, scored 37 points in his rookie season, 15 points in 20 playoffs games(!), then faced a list of injuries including one to his knee that forced him out for nearly two seasons. Somehow he was able to play 10 playoff games with the Blues when they won the Stanley Cup in 2019.
This is certainly a tradeable player, if you’re cynical like I am. Look, I think he’s been fine. He’s definitely looking stronger this season with 8 goals and 6 assists through 28 games. I mean, that’s OK. I am not blown away or anything, but again the deal is fair, it’s just the timing that is surprising. So why would Steve Yzerman feel the need to lock up this player right now?
Again, cynical me smells a trade in the works. I am not saying it involves Fabbri, but perhaps Yzerman is just planning ahead. The deadline sneaks up quickly. You have to take care of your current roster first and, simply put, you need a roster. Taking a look at the Red Wings contracts up front, Fabbri is now part of just a small group of offensive players signed beyond 2023 -- Lucas Raymond, Michael Rasmussen, Jakub Vrana, Jonatan Berggren (will we see him in Detroit before season’s end?) and, well, that’s it. Small group, like I said.
Fabbri past 10 games log
Fabbri career stats
Bertuzzi returns
Tyler Bertuzzi, the NHL’s only unvaccinated player blah blah blah -- it can’t be ignored, though I know from experience now that if you even mention this to some folks they want to burn you at the stake and ya’ll need to chill -- appears to be returning from COVID protocol in time for Tuesday’s game against the Islanders. He has missed the past five games, hasn’t played since the Nov. 30 game in Boston. Bertuzzi already had missed several games in Canada due to his unvaccinated status, and it looks like he’ll miss several more.
Another person I can guess is not happy about Bertuzzi’s unvaccinated status is his boss, Stephen Gregory Yzerman. If anything, it’s the lack of flexibility with Bertuzzi as an asset that has Yzerman likely uneasy/disappointed. Who knows, maybe the Fabbri deal spells the end of Bertuzzi’s time with Detroit. Again, cynical me. How dare I write such a thing. Now would be the time to send him packing for ... a first-round pick? That’s called optimism. I’m trying.
Speaking of trades: At the very least, I am fairly convinced Vladislav Namestnikov is getting traded at just $2 million AAV this year before he’s an UFA at the end of the season. His bags should be packed and waiting at the door already. 🧳
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📅 Coming up:
- Tuesday, Dec. 14 -- 7:30 p.m. vs. Islanders -- BSD
- Thursday, Dec. 16 -- 7 p.m. @ Hurricanes -- BSD
- Saturday, Dec. 18 -- 8 p.m. vs. Devils -- BSD
I hope this Fabbri deal boosts some morale on the Red Wings. I don’t know if that’s a thing. There may be some other players taking a look around now, wondering what’s next for them.
Maybe we’ll see Fabbri reach new heights. Again, it’s a good deal. Fans should enjoy this kind of mid-season signing. It can be exciting to see players earn new contracts.
But we can’t ignore the other implications.
Take care until next time,
Dave👍😎 -- dbartkowiak@wdiv.com | @DaveBartko
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