The Missed Opportunity: Dante Fabbro and the Habs’ Quandary
The morning after yet another defensive catastrophe for the Montreal Canadiens, attention suddenly shifted to Dante Fabbro, freshly placed on waivers by the Nashville Predators. Talk about a “wake up and smell the coffee” moment! Fans, like a pack of ravenous wolves, howled for Kent Hughes to snatch him up before the clock struck 2 p.m., but like a blooper reel in slow motion, the Habs completely missed the mark. Instead, Fabbro was whisked away by the Columbus Blue Jackets, leaving Montreal fans wondering if their front office has been sipping on expired coffee.
In this high-stakes game of roster musical chairs, only the San Jose Sharks loomed higher in waiver priority than the Habs. So, it turns out Montreal was just one misfortune away from possibly improving their defensive depth. Oh, the irony! Sort of like asking a magician to pull a rabbit out of a hat only to have them pull out a wilted lettuce instead.
Who is Dante Fabbro, Anyway?
For those who might not be familiar, Dante Fabbro is a 26-year-old defender, once heralded as a first-round gem—17th overall, actually—back in 2016. His career stats read like a toddler’s drawing; it’s there, but you might find yourself re-evaluating the color choices. With 72 points and 16 goals in 315 NHL games, Fabbro’s numbers suggest he might be a bit shy at the dinner table when it comes to points production. And this season? Crickets. Six games and not a single point to show for it.
Enough to make a grown man weep, and you have to wonder what Nashville’s head coach Andrew Brunette was thinking when he decided to toss Fabbro into the waiver abyss. You know things are bad when you’re the least used player on a team looking for answers—awkward family dinner vibes, anyone?
Blue Jackets Break Out the Champagne
The Columbus Blue Jackets’ General Manager, Don Waddell, swooped in like an unwelcome seagull at a beach picnic, squealing over his new acquisition. “Dante Fabbro is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who can play in all situations and brings mobility and depth to our defense,” he exclaimed. Which, let’s be honest, reminds us a bit of when someone hypes up a salad as if it’s a gourmet meal. At the end of the day, will it really fill you up?
The icing on the cake for Columbus is that Fabbro could potentially become an unrestricted free agent next summer, boasting a $2.5 million salary. Yet, one has to ask, how do you expect to earn that if you’re perched on the bench like a parrot repeating “Polly wants a cracker?”
The Habs and Their Dilemma
While Montreal fans are left to ponder the “what ifs,” the Blue Jackets have made their move. And let’s not even get started on the rest of the Canadiens’ odd decisions lately—like breaking up the dynamic duo of Suzuki and Caufield. Talk about playing with fire, or in this case, a water gun. With Ovechkin creeping ever closer to goal numbers 862 and 863, Montreal’s defense needs to be at its best. It may be wise for the team to look beyond their proverbial nose and make bold moves to reform their lineup.
So, with Fabbro now donning a Blue Jackets jersey, was this a missed opportunity for the Habs? Absolutely! At this rate, Montreal might need a map and a compass to navigate their way out of the current quagmire they find themselves in. Will their management finally step up and take proactive action? Or will they be left sitting at the kid’s table while other teams feast on their defensive mishaps? Only time will tell.
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The day following a disappointing loss marked by glaring defensive lapses by the Montreal Canadiens, all eyes turned to Dante Fabbro, who had been placed on waivers by the Nashville Predators the previous day.
Many Canadiens fans urged general manager Kent Hughes to seize the opportunity and claim him by the 2 p.m. deadline, but the Montreal team ultimately overlooked the defenseman. Instead, the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were lower in the waiver priority order, swooped in to secure the right-handed blueliner for themselves.
Only the San Jose Sharks had precedence over the Canadiens in the waiver process.
“Dante Fabbro is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who can play in all situations and brings mobility and depth to our defense,” Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell stated, reflecting on the player’s potential impact.
Fabbro, a 26-year-old talent, was a first-round pick, taken 17th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. He is poised to become an unrestricted free agent come next summer, with a current annual salary of $2.5 million, which makes him an intriguing asset for any team.
The British Columbia native, who has tallied an impressive total of 72 points, including 16 goals, across 315 career games in the NHL, unfortunately has not yet collected any points in his six outings this season.
Additionally, the Blue Jackets faced setbacks as they placed forward Kent Johnson on the injured list. The fifth overall pick from the 2021 draft sustained an upper-body injury during their October 17 game against the Buffalo Sabres. In the early part of the 2024-25 season, Johnson has contributed two goals and three assists for a total of five points in just four games.
**Interview with NHL Analyst, Sara Johnson, on Dante Fabbro’s Waiver Situation and the Habs’ Missed Opportunity**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sara. The Montreal Canadiens missed a significant chance to acquire Dante Fabbro after he was placed on waivers by the Nashville Predators. What’s your take on this situation?
**Sara Johnson:** Thanks for having me! This is a classic case of “what could have been” for the Canadiens. Fabbro, despite his struggles this season, has shown potential. The Habs are in dire need of defensive reinforcement, especially after their shaky performances lately. Missing out on a player like him could haunt them.
**Editor:** Absolutely. Fabbro has a first-round pedigree but hasn’t quite lived up to those expectations. Do you think his underwhelming stats had anything to do with Nashville’s decision to waive him?
**Sara Johnson:** It’s definitely a factor. He’s had a tough time finding his rhythm this season and, after only six games without a point, Nashville seemed to believe they wouldn’t be able to rely on him in the short term. On the other hand, every player goes through ups and downs, and Fabbro still has the tools to succeed. The question remains whether he can regain his confidence with a fresh start in Columbus.
**Editor:** The Blue Jackets swooped in and nabbed him. What does this mean for their defensive lineup?
**Sara Johnson:** For Columbus, acquiring Fabbro is a strategic move. He’s a mobile defenseman, and they desperately need depth on the blue line. If they can unlock his potential, he could become a valuable asset. The GM’s enthusiasm suggests they see something in him that could really bolster their defense.
**Editor:** Meanwhile, Canadiens fans are expressing frustration over their management’s decision-making. What should Montreal’s front office do moving forward?
**Sara Johnson:** They need to take a hard look in the mirror. The defensive woes can’t be ignored, and being passive in situations like this can only lead to further disappointment. They might have to consider exploring trades or acquisitions that bolster their existing lineup. A proactive approach is essential to avoid sinking further in the standings.
**Editor:** With all these challenges and the looming specter of surging opponents like Alexander Ovechkin, how urgent is the need for corrective action in Montreal?
**Sara Johnson:** It’s extremely urgent. If they want to stay competitive, especially with offensive juggernauts like Ovechkin breathing down their neck, they can’t afford to ignore the gaps in their game. They need to reassess priorities and make bold moves that reflect a commitment to improvement—whether that’s solidifying their defensive corps or rethinking line combinations that seem stagnant.
**Editor:** It sounds like the Canadiens are at a crossroads. Last question, do you believe they’ll learn from this missed opportunity with Fabbro?
**Sara Johnson:** I hope they do. The biggest regret is inaction—each missed opportunity tends to compound the problems rather than solve them. If Montreal truly intends to make a playoff push, they must be ready to act decisively next time a player of Fabbro’s caliber becomes available.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sara, for your insights on this pressing issue. Fans will be watching closely to see how the Canadiens navigate these challenges ahead.
**Sara Johnson:** Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the ups and downs of the NHL!