The Hockey News’s Sam Stockton examines Robby Fabbri’s potential performance this upcoming season. Fabbri may be “bumped down the lineup” a bit by the Red Wings’ offseason signings, but the Wings will still count upon him to provide an offensive impact:
It’s unfortunate that injuries precluded Fabbri from enjoying any semblance of continuity throughout his Red Wings tenure. With a sustained run as regular in the lineup, Fabbri could have offer more robust proof of concept that he makes sense in a featured role, but it hasn’t gone that way. Instead, Fabbri will have to compete just to a secure a place in the lineup each night.
However, before going too doom and gloom, it’s also worth pointing out that Fabbri is only 27, and while he might be in the latter stages of his prime, there is still ample time for him to re-discover his health and form and play his way up the lineup.
To state the blindingly obvious, the first step for Fabbri has to be health and continuity.
Since that first season with the Red Wings, Fabbri’s challenge has been establishing a clearly defined role, a task made all the more difficult by missing time due to injury. If he can stay healthy and sustain a run of solid form, that reliability and consistency can in turn set Fabbri up to develop a clear part to play for Derek Lalonde.
Detroit doesn’t need him to be a top scorer but pitching in some offense would be a good start. The other side of the puck might prove more important (and more challenging) for him though.
Continued; Stockton’s right in suggesting that Fabbri has to become a better two-way player.
