COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets have had to swap defensive pairings since the start of the season to make up for a lack of right-handed defensemen, but Sunday’s foray into the NHL’s waiver wire could create a better combination.
The Blue Jackets released veteran defenseman Dante Fabb from the Nashville Predators and added a former first-round pick (No. 17 in 2016) who has played in 315 games for the Predators since the end of the 2018-19 season.
Fabbro, 26, will fly from Nashville to Seattle on Sunday night to join the Blue Jackets on Monday. It is unclear if he will make his debut in the blue jersey on Tuesday against the Kraken at the Climate Pledge Arena.
The Blue Jackets have had to solidify their defense since the start of the season, moving Ivan Provorov from left to right, giving them two reliable right backs in their front four. Provorov was paired with Zach Werenski in top doubles, while Damon Severson was paired with Jake Christiansen in second doubles.
Meanwhile, the third pairing has been a revolving door since veteran Eric Gudbranson suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery last month. Jack Johnson, Jordan Harris and David Jiricek have played, and Johnson plays on the right or left depending on his partner.
The Blue Jackets are likely to have eight defensemen long-term, so acquiring Fabb could represent another roster move. Harris must clear waivers to be sent to AHL Cleveland, but Jirichek can go to the minors without a waiver.
It’s unclear who Fabb will be paired with in his debut, but he’s happy to play.
I wish you all the best in Colón, Dante! pic.twitter.com/5Za2NOYl4Z
– Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) November 10, 2024
The Predators have been the most aggressive club in the NHL this season, but their key moves (the signings of free agents Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, among others) have yet to bear fruit, and general manager Barry Trotz has warned against a major reorganization.
Nashville has won just five of its first 15 games, including an Oct. 26 victory over Columbus. But Fabbro has dressed in only six games, without goals or points and with a rating of -3.
“I found myself in a weird rotation, and a lot of times I was the guy they called,” Fabbro said. Atlético. “Of course it was a little disappointing, but when you go through something like that, you think about who you are.
“I used that time at practice to work on things that I might not have had the opportunity to work on. I wanted to be as prepared as possible when the opportunity to return to the lineup came. “I didn’t have that opportunity with Nashville, but now I’m excited to be a part of the Blue Jackets.”
To add Fabb to the 23-man roster, the Blue Jackets placed winger Kent Johnson (shoulder) on injured reserve. He is expected to return in late November, although the Blue Jackets have not publicly announced an expected return date.
Fabbro signed a $2.5 million contract with the Predators last summer. He will become an unrestricted agent next summer.
