The NHL's waiver wire has been buzzing with activity, and the Minnesota Wild just made a surprising move that has fans talking. The Wild claimed forward Robby Fabbri off waivers from the St. Louis Blues, a bold decision that raises some eyebrows. But why? Let's dive into the details.
Fabbri, a 30-year-old pending unrestricted free agent, has had a quiet season so far, appearing in just 15 games with the Blues and tallying a modest one goal and three assists. His AHL stint with the Charlotte Checkers yielded slightly better results, with one goal and one assist in three games. But here's where it gets intriguing: Fabbri has a solid career record, boasting 107 goals and 113 assists over 457 games played for the Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks. So, is this a savvy move by the Wild to snag a proven player at a bargain, or a risky bet on a player with limited recent action?
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers' Andrew Mangiapane and Alec Regula cleared waivers, offering the team some much-needed cap relief. Mangiapane, a 29-year-old forward, has struggled this season, with only seven goals and 14 points in 52 games, resulting in a -19 plus/minus. His two-year, $7.2 million contract with the Oilers has limited his trade value, but the team can gain $1.15 million in cap space by assigning him to the AHL, with the majority of his contract still counting against their cap.
Mangiapane's career stats paint a different picture, with 130 goals and 257 points in 550 games played for the Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Washington Capitals. Is this a case of a talented player in a slump, or a sign of declining performance?
As for Regula, the 6-foot-4 defenseman, he has played 29 games for the Oilers this season, contributing three points and a -16 plus/minus. He was claimed off waivers from the Boston Bruins in December 2024 and has a $775,000 cap hit for next season. His AHL performance with the Bakersfield Condors shows promise, with three points in three games.
Lastly, the Vancouver Canucks' Guillaume Brisebois also cleared waivers and will head to the AHL. The 28-year-old defenseman hasn't played in the NHL or AHL this season but has a goal and two assists in 30 career NHL games. Is this a make-or-break moment for Brisebois, or just a temporary setback?
These moves may seem routine, but they could have significant implications for these teams' strategies and player development. What do you think? Are these wise decisions or potential pitfalls? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
