Red Wings Are Optimistic About the Robby Fabbri Injury

The Detroit Red Wings announced Thursday that Robby Fabbri is out day to day after suffering a lower body injury Wednesday in a 4-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

They said it like it was good news, because it was. They were initially concerned that Fabbri’s injury was worse.

“We’ll proceed cautiously,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “…Obviously, with his past history. I think there’s some optimism on the injury. Obviously, his history the last couple years. Don’t know if he’ll be available Saturday.”

Fabbri didn’t practice Thursday, but that fact that they have not officially ruled him out of Saturday’s game against the Boston Bruins is positive. This is a player who has had three major knee surgeries including one last March that kept him out of the lineup this season until Jan. 4.

“We’ll have a better feel tomorrow.” Lalonde said. That’ll dictate whether we need to call someone up. Probably give it through tomorrow to decide.”

Fabbri was hurt on a hit by Chicago forward Tyler Johnson near the end of the first period. His leg buckled under him and he hobbled down the tunnel to the dressing room. Fabbri did try to skate on Detroit’s practice arena between periods.

“Seeing it, his reaction, and his past history, the boys were a little rattled about it last night,” Lalonde said. “And I think were was some optimism once the doctor got involved.”

Red Wings Deflated

Players and coaches understand that Fabbri’s energetic style fuels the team. He’s been in a scoring slump, but even when he is not scoring he is always buzzing around the offensive zone.

“(His injury) something that really deflated the bench when that happened,” Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. “It’s tough to see. Thinking about him and hoping for good news. We got to come in and kind of see him before the second period, which was good. It made us all feel better.”

Given the Red Wings plan to be cautious with Fabbri, it seems plausible that he won’t play Saturday’s 1 p.m. game in Boston or the second game against the Bruins on Sunday. That one will be played in Detroit at 1:30.

Lalonde said they might consider going with seven defensemen and 11 forwards, although he didn’t seem enthusiastic about that option.

“If he’s unavailable for the weekend, I would foresee us bringing someone up (from the Grand Rapids Griffins),” Lalonde said.