If he ever needs a reminder of what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, all veteran winger Robby Fabbri has to do is look down at his right forearm. That’s where the 30-year-old got a tattoo to commemorate the greatest achievement of his career.
After hoisting the Stanley Cup as a member of the St. Louis Blues on June 12, 2019, Fabbri had the date carved into his skin so he never forgets that feeling of euphoria.
That experience is something the Wild hope can help them in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. That’s why they claimed Fabbri off waivers on Monday afternoon. He expected to make his team debut on Tuesday night when the Wild played host to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Grand Casino Arena.
“I think the way I play fits in well here,” Fabbri said. “It’s an exciting group, and I’m just trying to fill in any way I can.”
The plan was for Fabbri to play alongside center Nico Sturm and opposite winger Vinnie Hinostroza. He should bring some grit to the bottom half of the lineup, along with an understanding of what’s being asked of him in that role.
“We’re excited to have him,” head coach John Hynes said. “I think he adds some depth to our forward group.”
That’s something the Wild desperately need right now after veteran winger Marcus Foligno suffered a lower body injury that landed him on injured reserve. Though he is expected return later this season, Foligno will be on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
The addition of Fabbri should help ease some of the pain in the short term. He comes to the Wild having played more than 450 games, spending time with the Blues, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks.
“He has been through different experiences,” Hynes said. “I think that’ll certainly help him in this situation.”
Originally selected in the first round of the 2014 draft, Fabbri looked like he was going to be a prolific scorer at the highest level. That trajectory changed after he missed more than 20 months of action after twice tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
It was imperative that Fabbri reinvent himself if he wanted to stick around. He started to take pride in being somebody that could be trusted in every situation, only to tear the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Not once did Fabbri think about giving up, even when he started this season without a roster spot. He kept his head down and kept working with hopes of eventually earning another chance to chase a Stanley Cup.
That finally came this week when the Blues placed him on waivers, and the Wild decided to pick him up.
“I think everything happens for a reason,” Fabbri said. “I’m just very excited to be a part of this group.”
It isn’t lost on Fabbri that he’s suddenly on a legitimate contender with a chance to win another Cup. He isn’t taking anything for granted given his journey to this point.
“That’s why we play the game, right?” Fabbri said. “This is the most fun time coming down the stretch here.”
Briefly
After missing the past 14 games with a lingering lower body injury that required surgery, defenseman Jonas Brodin was expected to return to the lineup when the Wild were host to the Lightning.
St. Louis Blues center Robby Fabbri (15) controls the puck in front of Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, March 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)