Blue Jackets re-sign Fabbro to 4-year, $16.5M contract

The Columbus Blue Jackets re-signed defenseman Dante Fabbro to a four-year contract with a $4.125-million cap hit, the team announced Sunday.

Fabbro tallied nine goals and 26 points in 62 games while averaging over 21 minutes this past season with Columbus. The Blue Jackets claimed Fabbro off waivers from the Nashville Predators in November.

The 27-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. Fabbro is coming off a one-year, $2.5-million deal signed with Nashville in 2024.

"Dante was a great addition to our team last season, and keeping him in Columbus was a priority," Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. "He's a smart, versatile defenseman who moves the puck very well and can play in all situations. We're thrilled that he will continue to be an important part of our club moving forward."

Fabbro has 25 goals and 98 points in 377 career games over parts of seven NHL seasons. The Predators drafted him 17th overall in 2016.

Columbus has $28.5 million of projected cap space after re-signing Fabbro, according to PuckPedia. The Blue Jackets' remaining free agents include Ivan Provorov and restricted free agent Dmitri Voronkov.