Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could end up adding someone familiar with Craig Berube if they were to offer Robby Fabbri a PTO as the team looks to add some more depth.
With only a few weeks left until the regular season opens up, and preseason just around the corner, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the last-minute sprint to the finish line at least regarding adding some more pieces to the roster.
Brad Treliving is pretty pleased with his additions so far, but isn’t ruling out some more help down the line. The team has been linked to free agents like Jack Roslovic and Matt Grzelcyk, and in terms of the former it’s been quite the strange summer to say the least.
However, there is still the PTO route that the team can go down and they’ve found some great success with Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty (another UFA).
Robby Fabbri Emerges As Dark Horse Option For Maple Leafs
While they may not bring in Pacioretty, they could bring in someone familiar with Craig Berube and would add a great dynamic to the middle six.
Still hanging about the free agent market is forward Robby Fabbri, and much like Roslovic, has the potential to add some much needed secondary scoring.
Familiar with Craig Berube given he spent four seasons with the Blues, and won a Cup with the team in 2018-19.
Last season, Fabbri skated in 44 games with the Anaheim Ducks and registered 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) but does have 216 points in 442 games (106 goals, 110 assists) as well as 16 points in 30 playoff contests (4 goals, 12 assists).He isn’t great defensively and would really need to be put alongside someone like a Scott Laughton on the wing to cover for his defensive shortcomings, but he would be an offensive improvement over Nick Robertson, and is basically a much cheaper Max Domi.
Why Robby Fabbri Makes Sense For Toronto
Besides the obvious fit in the lineup and the connection to Berube, he’s going to come dirt cheap and for a team who is able to maneuver a bit of cap room through waivers, he could be just the piece the team needs.
A PTO is meant to give players an audition and hopefully translate it into an NHL deal one way or another, and Toronto doesn’t need to commit to Fabbri if they feel he won’t fit.But for a team who is looking for some scoring help in the wake of losing Mitch Marner, this is probably the cheapest and most reliable way to check out a free agent that Brad Treliving can use.
So with time ticking away and the preseason around the corner, it might be in the Leafs’ best interest to see if Robby Fabbri is interested in a reunion with his former bench boss.
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