Ducks Acquire Fabbri; Sign Meyer

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

On day two of the NHL free agency, the Anaheim Ducks traded for Brian Dumoulin and signed Jansen Harkins. On day three of free agency, Anaheim Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek made another trade and signed another free agent. The Ducks sent Gage Alexander to Detroit for forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 4th round draft pick. Anaheim will receive the earlier of Detroit’s own fourth-round pick in 2025 or Boston’s fourth-round pick in 2025, which Detroit had acquired in March of 2023. Anaheim also signed Carson Meyer to a one-year deal.

Carson Meyer, 5’11”, 184 lbs, Forward, Shoots Right

He had a goal and an assist in 14 games with Columbus last year. He also put up 37 totals points (22 G + 15 A) in the AHL last year with the Cleveland Monsters in 55 games. He has six total points (2 G + 4 A) in 41 games with Columbus over the past three seasons. He is a bottom six forward that plays physical, is a fast skater, and has some offensive upside. He plays a high energy style of game, but his offensive game hasn’t translated from the minors to the NHL. He might squeeze in on the fourth line this season otherwise he will likely spend most of the time in the AHL this season.

Meyer signed a one-year, two-way deal per Aaron Portzline. The deal is worth $775,000 per CapFriendly.

Robby Fabbri, 5’10”, 190 lbs, Forward, Shoots Left 

Fabbri recorded 32 total points (18 G + 14 A) in 68 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings. He tied his career high of 18 goals last year, which he set back in the 2015-16 season with the St. Louis Blues. He has played in 398 games in 9 years in the NHL recording 200 total points (98 G + 102 A).

He was effective on the power play last year and he will add some offense to the Ducks bottom six forward group. His defensive game struggled last season, but so did Detroit’s team as a whole. Verbeek had this to say about Fabbri, “Robby is a grit and sandpaper type of player that plays with energy and fits with what we are trying to do. He also possesses a nice combination of skill and scoring ability that we need.”

Gage Alexander isn’t going to compete for an NHL spot with the Ducks current goalie situation, so trading him for a bottom six scoring forward and pick is a decent deal for Anaheim. The Ducks were also able to get a fourth round pick in 2025 to replace the fourth round pick they gave up to acquire Dumoulin. As long as Fabbri can stay healthy, this is a win for Anaheim.

Lastly, Fabbri’s $4M cap hit brings the Anaheim Ducks above the cap floor. He has one year left on his contract.

What’s Next?

Verbeek was able to add Dumoulin to help the Ducks top four defensive core and he brought in Fabbri to help the Ducks bottom six forward situation. Both players have won the Stanley Cup before so hopefully their previous experiences can help mentor and develop the young players on the team.

Anaheim still hasn’t found the top six forward that Verbeek stated he was in search for. The free agent pool is now very thin, so Verbeek will have to look to a trade to get a top six forward. Keep an eye on the Capitals, Golden Knights, Oilers, Maple Leafs, and Predators, who are all over the cap ceiling. Verbeek might be able to get a forward from one of those teams to keep them cap compliant while helping the Ducks top six forward situation.

Recent Article:

Ducks Trade For Dumoulin

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July 2nd, 2024