🏒 Dante Fabbro D

Dante Fabbro has emerged as a key defensive presence for the Columbus Blue Jackets, showcasing significant development since being claimed off waivers from Nashville in November 2024. Through 68 games, Fabbro has posted career-high numbers with 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points, while maintaining an impressive +20 rating.

The 27-year-old defenseman has averaged 20.89 minutes per game, demonstrating Coach Dean Evason's trust in his game. Fabbro's defensive metrics show strong situational awareness, though his high-danger Corsi numbers (46.3% HDCF%) indicate room for improvement in preventing quality chances against. His Impact Per 60 metrics reveal a well-rounded contributor, with a total impact rating of 4.50 per 60 minutes. The breakdown shows stronger defensive contributions (3.32 defensive impact per 60) compared to offensive impact (1.87 per 60), aligning with his role as a steady defensive presence.

Particularly noteworthy is Fabbro's performance against Metropolitan Division rivals, where he's recorded his highest impact ratings against Carolina (7.58 total impact in 4 games) and the New York Islanders (7.26 total impact in 3 games). This divisional success has been crucial for Columbus's competitive efforts within the conference.

The investment in Fabbro has paid immediate dividends for the Blue Jackets, leading to his four-year contract extension worth $16.5 million. His stability on the blue line has helped solidify Columbus's defensive corps, particularly evident in his efficient 22.71 shifts per game and responsible penalty differential with 40 PIM across the season. From an advanced metrics perspective, Fabbro's threat ratio of 0.39 suggests he's been effectively deployed in defensive situations while still contributing to offensive transitions. His shot selection has been notably efficient, converting on 10.1% of his attempts (9 goals on 89 shots).