In Red Wings Land
ROBBY FABBRI IS THE PERFECT RECLAMATION PROJECT FOR YZERMAN AND THE RED WINGS | The Hockey News
In Detroit, what Fabbri will be given is the one thing he so sorely needs to get his career back on track: an opportunity. He had proven through the early part of his career that he had a top-six skillset and, more importantly, mindset. He could think the game and see the game the way top-six talents so often do. He could make plays and find teammates and generate offense.
Robby Fabbri won’t save the Red Wings’ season, but trading for him does come with upside | The Athletic ($)
A 23-year-old former first-round pick, Fabbri won’t simply show up and save the Red Wings from that misery. No single move would do that right now. But he is the latest in a growing list of attempted reclamation projects by new general manager Steve Yzerman, and arguably the one with the most upside.
I love these kind of trades by Steve Yzerman. It’s clear this Red Wings team is far from good, so he’s making these small moves and attempting to change the roster.
Acquiring players like Adam Erne, Brendan Perlini and Robby Fabbri are essentially lottery tickets. The Wings probably aren’t going to take home the jackpot with these players, but maybe one of these guys is a scratch off that wins you $50 or $100 bucks? I’ll take that.
If things don’t work out? Oh well. These players don’t come with long term contracts or huge cap hits. It’s low risk. I’m just happy that our GM is actually making an attempt to make the roster better instead of just kicking tires.
Now, if Yzerman wants to take a big risk…
NBC’s Pierre McGuire: Don’t be surprised if Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman trades Filip Zadina | Detroit News
McGuire was asked if the Red Wings are more likely to trade Zadina because he wasn’t drafted by Yzerman.
”Usually, when you’re drafted by an organization and those management people are still there, you get a little bit more of a reprieve and a little bit longer leash to run with,” McGuire said.
”Once you change the management and you were drafted by the previous group, you don’t have nearly as much familiarity with the guys coming in and they don’t have the same familiarity with you. Usually but not always, it opens up more potential to be moved.”
In my opinion, trading Filip Zadina would be a big gamble for Yzerman. The 6th overall pick hasn’t lit the world on fire since being selected by Ken Holland and the Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft, but the potential for him to be an impact player at the NHL level is still there.
Zadina doesn’t turn 20-years-old until later this month. When you factor in the current state of Wings’ roster and season, there’s no need or rush for to be playing in Detroit at the moment. Let him develop some more and work on his overall game in the AHL with Joe Veleno, Michael Rasmussen and Moritz Seider.
I still think it’s too early to worry about Zadina or start using the “bust” word with him. We all wish he was scoring 20 goals in the NHL right now, but it’s more important for him to be a contributor when this team is actually ready to compete for a playoff spot.
Of course, while I don’t expect it to happen, it wouldn’t shock me if Yzerman decided to trade Zadina. It obviously all comes down to what the return would be and I can’t image he gets moved for anything less than something really, really substantial.
Around the League
NHL Power Rankings: 1-31 poll, plus preseason expectations vs. reality | ESPN
Previous ranking: 27
What we thought in the preseason: It’s going to be a long and potentially ugly season as the rebuild trudges on, but the top line will be able to provide at least a few highlights.
What we know now: It’s ugly. Detroit has a league-worst minus-29 goal differential. And the top line has been the only highlight: Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha have scored 19 of the team’s 34 goals.
When you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
