TLN Draft Profile: Robby Fabbri

Name: Robby Fabbri

Position: Centre

Height: 5’10

Weight: 165lbs

Junior Team: Guelph (OHL)

Rankings: NHL CSS – 21st (NA), ISS – 8th, Justin’s List – 14th, Logan’s List – 11th

Mississauga’s Robby Fabbri is one of the most skilled forward prospects in the 2014 draft. Despite his size, he is one of the most competitive players likely to be available when the Leafs pick. 

Fabbri contributed 87 points in just 58 games for the Guelph Storm, good for 14th in the OHL. His encore was even more impressive – he put up 28 points in 16 playoff games, winning the ’99’ Award for OHL Playoff MVP. In winning the award, he joins the likes of Taylor Hall, Corey Perry, and Adam Henrique. 

Fabbri is full of skill, creativity, and determination – aka he has the tangibles and the intangibles that all teams covet. And although he is on the smaller side, he is always willing to put himself in harm’s way to make a play. Better yet, he usually ends up with a point on the play after getting knocked on his butt.

His competitiveness, speed, and poise means that when Fabbri has the puck, he’s nearly impossible to get off it. He’s also pretty solid in the d-zone. 

His size. It’s pretty safe to say that Fabbri would be a lock for a top 10 spot if he was a few inches taller and 20 pounds heavier. He’s also thrown a few bad hits, making scouts question his discipline. 

If he’d been born just a tad to the East in another area of the GTA that starts with an ‘M’, yes. 

But seriously, he’s likely someone you don’t take at 8 in a draft that has no consensus about who’s going where (i.e. a top target on your board is likely to fall). He is however, someone you trade down a few spots to get, acquiring another asset in the process, knowing that you’re leaving the draft with one heck of a first round pick. And as long as the Leafs don’t overvalue size (which they’ve shown a tendency to do in the past), there’s a lot to love about Fabbri that fits into what Carlyle, Nonis, and Shanahan envision for this franchise.

He’s also a centre, and although I am all for taking the best player available, the Leafs centre depth is the pits. 

“Fabbri is a goal scorer. He has all the skills and talent to be a dynamic scorer at the NHL level. He shows a quick release with accurate results. He doesn’t need a lot of space to find the back of the net. He is also one of the fastest players in this draft class.” – Future Considerations’ 2014 NHL Draft Guide

“Fabbri brings brilliance and excitement to every shift making things happen with his quick hand skills and intimidating speed, pushing defenders on their heels. He attacks scoring chances with vigour and never gives up on a play regardless of the score. Despite being considered undersized by NHL standards he possesses a pit bull mentality and is constantly involved in the attack, never backing down from the opposition.” – McKeen’s 2014 NHL Draft Guide