Detroit sends forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks for an ECHL goaltender, freeing up $4 million in cap space
Just minutes after announcing the signing of sniper Vladimir Tarasenko, the Red Wings announced a trade, sending winger Robby Fabbri to Anaheim along with a conditional fourth round pick in exchange for Gage Alexander, a 22-year-old goaltending prospect.
Apr 11, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Robby Fabbri (14) skates up ice with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at PPG Paints Arena
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The obvious objective of the deal from a Detroit perspective is short-term cap clearance. Fabbri was slated to make $4 million dollars this season. on a contract expiring next summer. Though he enjoyed a commendable season (32 points in 68 games) after an injury-hampered start, it was probably a bit too rich of a deal for a player certain to wind up in the the Red Wings' bottom six. With Tarasenko inking a two-year, $4.75 million AAV deal, Fabbri's departure covers the cap space for all but $750K of the first season of that contract.
For Anaheim, however, that $4 million salary is useful, getting the Ducks over the cap floor for the '23-24 season. Meanwhile, Fabbri should have a reasonable opportunity to earn top six minutes on a team still very much in progress. It also makes sense to see the Red Wings turn to Anaheim as a trade partner, given that Pat Verbeek took the Ducks GM job after working under Steve Yzerman for years in both Tampa and Detroit.
Gage Alexander, for his part, is likely heading to the East Coast Hockey League. He played 19 games for the ECHL Tulsa Oilers, earning a 3.76 goals against average and .887 save percentage.
