Robby Fabbri isn’t the big name Minnesota Wild fans are hoping Bill Guerin brings in at the trade deadline. However, the veteran forward could play a role down the stretch for the team as they continue to battle injuries on the roster. The Wild claimed the 30-year-old forward off of waivers from St. Louis on Monday.
It’s been a tough season for the 10-year veteran, who has battled injuries and only appeared in 15 games for the Blues this season. However, if he’s healthy, he can bring some depth to the middle of the ice for a Wild team that is dealing with yet another injured forward in Marcus Foligno, who was placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury.
In order to make room for Fabbri, Tyler Pitlick was placed on waivers. Pitlick, during various recalls this season, has appeared in 32 games for Minnesota, recording two goals while averaging 7:48 of ice time per game. Expect the newest member of the organization to slide into the fourth-line center role.
Fabbri has appeared in 457 career games with the Blues, Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks, recording 107 goals with 113 assists. Four times in his career he’s scored at least 15 goals, so with the proper usage he could provide some help for the Wild in the scoring department while also killing off penalties. His career average in the face-off dot is 47%, but he was at 58.35 for Detroit a couple of seasons ago.
With four days left before the March 6 trade deadline, it’s unlikely that this is Minnesota’s big move, but it is a low-risk move to help bridge the gap before Foligno is ready to return. Fabbri is making $775,000 and is an unrestricted free agent this summer.