Right-Handed Defenseman Emerges as Ideal Fit for Maple Leafs' Blue Line Needs
Photo credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Right-handed defenseman Dante Fabbro has emerged as the perfect low-cost candidate for the Maple Leafs to target this summer to add offense to the blueline.
The Maple Leafs are trying to change the DNA of their team this summer, and whether that involves shipping out old faces, or adding new ones via the trade market or free agency.
Whatever it is, Brad Treliving is going to do whatever possible to give Toronto a better chance this season, and he certainly has a game plan.
Dante Fabbro should be added to bolster blueline on the cheap
They'll be without Mitch Marner more than likely, and there are many potential candidates to replace him as part of Treliving's new plan.
However, the team might want to focus on the blueline and add a player with a lot of offensive potential: Dante Fabbro.
Fabbro, 26, has had a bit of a slow start to his career but picked it up since heading to Columbus this season. A former 17th overall pick, he spent seven seasons with Nashville before being waived only six games into the season.
Picked up by the Blue Jackets, he scored 26 points in 62 games (9G, 17A) while adding 143 blocks, 67 hits and a plus-20 rating.
He fits perfectly with Craig Berube's system, and for a smaller defenseman he certainly doesn't mind putting his body on the line and is a solid penalty killer.
Also a right handed shot, he would be able to come in and play on the right side, allowing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to play on his proper side. He wouldn't offer as much physicality as a Simon Benoit, but he plays a better overall game.
What would Dante Fabbro end up costing the Maple Leafs?
Probably not much honestly, and while he is due for a raise, there is a world where Toronto can secure their top-six for only another $3-3.25M per season; a very reasonable amount for a player heading into his prime years.
Plus, Toronto has a lack of defensive ready prospects, and names like Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers are serviceable utility players, but the team lacks that true impact two-way defender.
Fabbro's style works perfectly with Toronto's new mentality, he's scrappy, and can provide a solid chunk of offense; it's all a recipe for success if he were to come aboard.
However that's easier said than done, and the team needs to focus on a few more pressing matters first, but they should keep Fabbro in the back of their minds once they're ready to make deals.
For his career, Fabbro has 98 points in 377 games (25G, 73A) split between Nashville and Columbus.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 325 ANSWERS Right-Handed Defenseman Emerges as Ideal Fit for Maple Leafs' Blue Line Needs Is Dante Fabbro a good choice for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 156 | 48 % |
| No | 169 | 52 % |
| List of polls | ||
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