Free-Agent Forward Robby Fabbri Signs Professional Tryout

Robby Fabbri is ready to start his NHL comeback.

The free-agent forward had been skating with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League to stay ready, and now after a few weeks of negotiations with several Eastern Conference teams, Fabbri has signed a professional tryout agreement with the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate. 

The Panthers love to bargain shop, and they could see Fabbri as a bottom-six forward, who can help provide some secondary scoring. Fabbri's best season came back in 2023-24, when he scored 18 goals in 68 games for the Anaheim Ducks. Unfortunately, due to multiple surgeries, he hasn't been able to stay healthy.

Per the team's release:

The Charlotte Checkers have signed forward Robby Fabbri to a PTO (professional tryout).

Fabbri, 29, appeared in 44 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, recording eight goals and eight assists. The Mississauga, ON, native has suited up in 442 NHL games with the Ducks, the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings over his nine-year career, notching 216 points (106 goals, 110 assists). He signed a PTO with the Pittsburgh Penguins this past September, but was released before the regular season began.

Originally drafted by St. Louis in the first round (21st overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Fabbri won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blues in 2018-19. He has played six AHL games previously, three with the Chicago Wolves (2014-15) and three with the San Antonio Rampage (2018-19). In addition to a Stanley Cup, Fabbri won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Fittingly enough, the Panthers have just over $900,000 in available cap space, and could sign Fabbri after his tryout to a league minimum deal, and fit him under the salary cap.

Photo credit:  Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images