St. Louis Blues Acquire Jacob de La Rose; Trade Robby Fabbri

The St. Louis Blues have traded left wing Robby Fabbri to the Detroit Red Wings for left wing/center Jacob de La Rose. da La Rose, 24, was a 2nd round pick (34th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL draft. The Red Wings claimed de La Rose off of waivers from the Canadiens on October 17, 2018. Last season, de La Rose played in a career high 60 games with 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points, and was -13.

Overall, da La Rose has played 6 seasons in the NHL. De La Rose has played 195 games with 12 goals, 20 assists, 32 points, and a -26. In the playoffs, de La Rose has played 12 games. De La Rose's best season came in 2017-2018 with the Canadiens. In that season, de La Rose played 55 games with 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points, and a -2. So far this season, de La Rose has played 16 games with 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, and a plus 3.

Robbi Fabbri, 23, was a 1st round pick (21st overall) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2014 NHL draft. In Fabbri's rookie season, 2015-2016, he played in a career high 72 games with 18 goals, 19 assists, 37 points, and a -2. In his second season, Fabbri played in 55 games with 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, and a -16. Since then Fabbri hasn't done much due to battling injuries. Fabbri also wasn't going to take playing time from Sammy Blais or probably anyone else on the Blues current roster.

Overall, Fabbri has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Fabbri has played 164 games with 32 goals, 41 assists, 73 points, and a -26. In the playoffs, Fabbri has played 30 games with 5 goals, 11 assists, 16 points, and a -3.

What does the trade mean for both teams? For Robby Fabbri he gets a change of scenery, which he's needed. He was a healthy scratch a lot last season and so far this season. So far this season, Fabbri has played in 9 games with 1 goals, 1 point, and -4. As for de La Rose, he might fill in for Alexander Steen. The Blues lost Steen to an injury in tonight's 5-2 win against the Edmonton Oilers. He's 6'3 and is bigger than Fabbri who is 5'10. de La Rose is still young enough to reach his potential.

The trade for de La Rose reminds me a little of when the Blues traded for center Oskar Sundqvist. Sundqvist later found his potential last season playing in a career high 74 games with 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, and a -1. All were career highs for Sundqvist. The Blues now have three players on their roster who are from Sweeden: Carl Gunnarsson, Oskar Sundqvist, and de La Rose.