The Detroit Red Wings recently welcomed back a member of the team’s third line, C/LW- Robby Fabbri, who had been rehabbing from a third torn ACL injury. Fabbri has been a big boost to a Red Wings team that needed one. Three goals in four games played do not tell the whole story. Robby Fabbri is bringing a physical aspect to a Detroit forwards group that needs to show a bit more grit.
Often, a player returning from injury holds back and is a bit timid. Not Fabbri; while he is not playing with reckless abandon, he is playing fearless hockey and what is equally remarkable is Fabbri did not need an adjustment period to get his legs under him. He hit the ice, ready to go.
Playing with bite, the Red Wings anxiously awaited his return which was scheduled for early January. Fabbri’s play has brought a significant uptick in energy that seems to be ineluctable to the rest of the team. Getting Fabbri back has created depth in Detroit’s lineup; also, the return of Tyler Bertuzzi has added depth and quality depth at that.
Fabbri is a solid two-way player and has pushed the Red Wings all round tempo. The team has been playing much quicker since his return. Playing well in the defensive end and laying out some big hits, Fabbri has been a physical presence that has been one of the biggest boosts.
Derek Lalonde is getting his first up-close look at Fabbri and is impressed by the spark he has brought to the lineup. Lalonde said ordinarily he would caution against burnout, but talking with players and GM, Steve Yzerman is not concerned as all parties have said this is how Fabbri plays the game.
Fabbri has said he has zero plans to alter his game. Lalonde and the Red Wings should be happy about that. Playing LW- partly because the Red Wings are giving him time to adjust even more and because Dylan Larkin, Michael Rasmussen, Andrew Copp, and Joe Veleno are all slotted at center. This is not a bad thing, as it allows Fabbri more freedom to be creative with and without the puck; in other words, it makes him more dangerous.
The Detroit Red Wings have played much better with the return of Fabbri and yes Tyler Bertuzzi; the team looks to have weathered the storm of injuries and looks to build upon recent consistent play.
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