An outbreak that allowed the exchange of P.K. Subban

The Nashville Predators caused a surprise by exchanging P.K. Subban with the New Jersey Devils last June, but they would never have dared to make this deal without the presence of a promising defender in their ranks.

This young back is called Dante Fabbro. He finished the last season in addition to playing six playoff games with the Predators after completing his career with Boston University.

"I probably would not have done this exchange if Dante Fabbro had not signed a contract with us and if he had not played so well," said Predators general manager David Poile in remarks reported by the Sportsnet network. It gave me confidence that we will still be able to rely on a good defense even by exchanging someone like P.K .. "

Encouraging

Fabbro, 21, scored one goal in four regular season games and one assist in the playoffs, in which the Predators were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars.

Even though Poile's comments bring their share of pressure, they are also encouraging for the player from British Columbia.

"Hearing these things gives me confidence," said Fabbro, a first-round pick in 2016. However, during the summer, I always said that my place (with the team) was not assured and that I needed give everything to deserve what you give me. "

Fabbro paid tribute to his teammates, who facilitated his move to the National Hockey League (NHL). "I felt comfortable fairly quickly, but the adventure was too short," he said. The transition was difficult, but the presence of great players you can rely on helped me. "

Big challenge

A much higher number of games is one of the challenges awaiting players moving from the US university network to the NHL. On the other hand, Fabbro is not too worried about playing twice as many games as usual.

"I do not think 40 more games on my calendar will have such a big impact," he said. I'm obviously going to suffer, but I'm going to have to get used to that if I want to move forward (in my career). "