Penguins Surprise Signing Robby Fabbri; Competition, Injuries, & a Good Chance
CRANBERRY — “I was kind of surprised the interest was (only) PTOs.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins snagged nine-year NHL veteran Robby Fabbri off the free agent pile the day before training camp began, signing him to a professional tryout agreement. Fabbri admitted had been receiving interest from a handful of teams since free agency began on July 1, but there were no contract offers, only tryouts.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now had a chance to speak with Fabbri in the locker room following his group’s practice on Day 3 of Penguins training camp.
It was a PTO or nothing for Fabbri, and he waited until the end of the offseason to choose the Penguins.
“It came down to the very last day, and there was a handful of teams circling ever since July 1,” said Fabbri. “At the end of the day, I was excited about this organization and this team and what they’ve got going on here, so this was always at the top of my list.”
The Penguins currently have more than 20 forwards in camp who could and have played in the NHL. From Sidney Crosby at the top of the depth chart to Joona Koppanen, who played 11 games at the end of last season, it is an extraordinarily packed group of hopefuls.
“There are a lot of players that can play, young, old, you go through the ages. And I think that’s what makes this organization exciting to be a part of. Yeah, the uncertainty of it, but I can’t control that,” Fabbri said. “All I can control is doing my best every day and looking as good as I can for these guys here and standing out in any way possible. And whether it’s leading by example and helping–you know, I’ve been with (Avery) Hayes for the first three days. It’s been fun working with him and just giving him little pointers here and there with my experience.
“At the end of the day, I’m here like everyone just to earn a spot, and I think that mindset is the same going into any training camp, whether you have a contract or not.”
That’s not usually the best situation for a player on a PTO, but Fabbri also admitted there has been honest communication between him and general manager Kyle Dubas.
“There’s that mutual understanding, where we both stand and what we both want,” said Fabbri. “My focus is on making this team and being here. And that’s why I chose here for this PTO, and that’s just where I’m at.”
Last season, Fabbri played in only 44 games with the Anaheim Ducks, breaking his hand following the bye week. With the fledgling Anaheim team that has been trying to build a winner for the better part of two decades (since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006), Fabbri had eight goals with eight assists.
It might seem Fabbri has been around forever and then a few days, but the left-handed center (who can play wing) is only 29 years old. Last season, he also spent time on the right wing beside young center Leo Carlson at the top of the Ducks’ lineup.
It’s been a rocky road for Fabbri, though talent has never been an issue. Instead, injuries have been. From last year’s broken hand to several knee injuries that have involved at least three surgeries, the trainer’s table has been a constant threat in his career.
In nine years, Fabbri has played in just 442 games, which means he’s missed well more than 200.
“(The new Sports Science team) wasn’t one of the focal points when we were talking, but it happened just to work. I’ve worked with all the guys they’ve brought in (were) at Hockey Canada before (Penguins head trainer Kevin Elliott), so there are a lot of familiar faces on the staff in that part of the organization that — it’s such a quick turnaround for me being able to come in and feel comfortable,” Fabbri said. “Everyone, between the guys and the staff here, it’s been great.”
Through the first three days, Fabbri has performed like one of the NHL players. His speed and ice awareness are befitting a player who has played for nine seasons.
In fact, had Fabbri been healthy for a full 82-game season, his career averages would extrapolate to 20 goals and 20 assists per season, according to HockeyReference.
Should he make the team, Fabbri would likely slot as a third-liner, either on the wing or at center, though there is plenty of competition. Young players such as Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes are making strong bids for a roster spot, too.
Thursday, Dubas promised young players that if they showed they are ready, they would make the team, and he would deal with the “rippling effects.” And, as part of the same press conference, Dubas also expressed hope that the Penguins would become a destination for players seeking a second chance or to show they had overcome injury.
Fabbri is a prime example of those types of players Dubas wants to attract, and because of that fact, would appear to have an inside track. A season and a half ago, the Penguins welcomed Jesse Puljujarvi on a free agent tryout and then an AHL PTO. Ultimately, that didn’t work, and Puljujarvi left the organization last January, disgruntled. However, there was no doubt that the Penguins gave him ample opportunity from the tryout to an NHL contract and playing time.
Now it’s up to Fabbri, who is off to a good start.
Categorized:Pittsburgh Penguins
I hope he gets a better “chance” than Jesse got, not that Jesse was stellar, but look at this comparison:
Jesse-4G, 3A, 7 pts in 26 games averaging 11:36 TOI, minus 1
Cody Glass-4G, 11A, 15 pts in 51 games averaging 13:25 TOI playing 2nd line and 2nd PP-MINUS 9
Matt Nieto-1G, 2A, 3 pts in 32 games with 12:15 TOI-MINUS 8
Yes he got a “chance”, just not like some other guys who did nothing did.
Puljujuarvi got a chance in the top six. If you’re only looking at the back of the hockey card, you’re only getting a slice of the story.
Matt Nieto 2.0
I guess nothing to lose and maybe get him at WB to lead the team…