When scrolling PuckPedia, I noticed that Robby Fabbri was still a free agent. The New York Rangers dont have a ton of center depth, and for that reason it is worth looking into whether or not he should be the latest player to be given an PTO before camp opens.
The case for Fabbri
The Rangers lack center depth, and that's one of the biggest pros for seeing if Fabbri can be a factor. He's appeared in 442 NHL games to date, is a Stanley Cup Champion, and has 106 goals and 110 assists for 216 points to his name. He's been a 0.49 point per game player during his career, and that type of production is more than OK for a bottom-six center. He's averaged 15:05 per game during his time in the league, and has finished with or paced 30 or more points in six of those seasons.
When he's healthy, Fabbri is a dynamic player who can contribute secondary offense, and that could be a benefit for the Rangers.
The case against Fabbri
Fabbri's biggest issue has been his health, and in recent years he hasn't been able to stay in the lineup. Here's a quick look at how available he's been in recent seasons.
- 2024-25: 44 games
- 2023-24: 68 games
- 2022-23: 28 games
- 2021-22: 56 games
The 2023-24 season was the most games Fabbri had appeared in during a single season since his rookie year (2015-16), and he finished with 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points. That type of production would be enough for the Rangers, but there's no guarantee he'll be able to stay healthy enough.
Last season he had knee surgery and missed 13 games, and then he missed 25 more due to a hand injury. During the 2022-23 season he had surgery on his ACL, returned in January, and then suffered a lower-body injury in March. He had knee problems the season prior, which includes another ACL tear back in 2017 which cost him the 2017-18 season. This series of injuries likely explain why the 29-year-old pivot is still unsigned.
Final verdict
If Fabbri were willing to accept a PTO, it would make sense to offer him one, even with his injury history. He might be looking for something more concrete, because if he were injured on a PTO he'd be in a tough spot. The hope is that he's built his body up to the point where things are more structurally sound than when he suffered the initial injuries, but repeat injuries are common. In any case, it would be a low-risk opportunity for the Rangers, and one that could pay off in a big way if he's able to step up and prove himself.