The NHL draft is just a few weeks away, and the more I think about it, the more Robby Fabbri makes sense for the Blue Jackets at 16.
Not only is he a very good talent who's continually risen up the rankings all season long, but if he were 2-3 inches taller he'd likely be considered as a lock for the top-10 and potentially a top-5 pick.
Those are the kinds of guys you take a shot on in the middle of the 1st, and if he's there at 16 it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility that Jarmo Kekalainen views him as the best player available.
I scouted Fabbri quite a bit this season and recently wrote an in-depth scouting report on him. Here's what I believe to be the strengths of his game.
"Robby Fabbri may not be big, but he plays much larger than his size. He’s not at all intimidated by anyone, and has no problems battling along the boards or in front of the net with much bigger players. He regularly finishes his checks as well. Fabbri’s an excellent skater who generates good speed in his first three steps. He plays a 200-foot game, and always comes back to apply pressure to opposing players through the neutral zone. He’s very elusive with the puck, and because of his speed, and small stature he’s tough to contain. Fabbri sees the ice very well, and sees plays developing well before they happen. He has an excellent release on his shot, and possesses good playmaking ability. Fabbri’s also excellent on the power play. He’s very crafty with the puck, has good hands and overall has high-end puck skills. One thing I love about Fabbri’s game is his ability to play at a fast pace. Not just his speed skating with the puck, but his ability to read, react and push the pace of the game."
Blue Jackets brass is very familiar with Fabbri because they'd notice him every time they went to check in on Kerby Rychel, who's one of the organizations top prospects.
Fabbri centered Rychel on the top line for Guelph, and the two meshed extremely well, turning into one of the most prolific duos in junior hockey.
One way or the other, the Blue Jackets will take Fabbri - if they do - because they feel he's a very good player with NHL potential more so than he meshed with Rychel, but that certainly works in his favor.
Whether the Blue Jackets select Fabbri or not remains to be seen, but it would make sense in more ways than one.
**
Jackets posts
Devils posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com