Red Wings sign Tarasenko, trade Fabbri
Ted KulfanDetroit — The Red Wings headed into the long holiday weekend adding some needed offense — then traded some of it away.
The Wings signed free-agent forward Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million ($4.75 annual average value), then announced shortly afterward that they traded forward Robby Fabbri and a conditional 2025 fourth-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks for prospect goaltender Gage Alexander.
Tarasenko, 32, scored 23 goals with 32 assists (55 points) in 76 games for Ottawa and Florida last season. The Panthers acquired Tarasenko at the trade deadline, looking to add more offense to their attack. Tarasenko had nine points (five goals) in 24 playoff games with the Panthers, winning the second Stanley Cup of his career, as Florida defeated Edmonton.
Tarasenko has played in 751 career games, scoring 293 goals and 336 assists (629 points). He spent the first 10 years of his career in St. Louis (winning one Stanley Cup), before moving to the New York Rangers and Ottawa, before landing in Florida.
Tarasenko's ability to score goals is needed, after the Red Wings lost David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere and Daniel Sprong to free agency.
But the Wings gave back some offensive ability in the Fabbri deal.
Fabbri, 28, tied a career-high with 18 goals last season with 14 assists (32 points) in 68 games. Fabbri has battled injuries throughout his career, including three knee surgeries, but he reached double figures in four of his five seasons with the Wings.
Fabbri was in the last year of a four-year contract worth $16 million ($4 million AAV).
The moves leave the Wings $20 million under the salary cap, with restricted free agents Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Joe Veleno still to be signed.
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