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Dante Fabbro inks four-year extension with Columbus Blue Jackets

Dante Fabbro warms up prior to a game against the New York Islanders (2025)
Dante Fabbro warms up prior to a game against the New York Islanders (2025)Bruce Bennett/Getty Images/AFP
The Columbus Blue Jackets signed defenceman Dante Fabbro to a four-year contract extension on Sunday that's worth $16.5 million.

Fabbro's new deal will average $4.125 million per year until it expires in 2029. 

The 27-year-old defenceman posted the best numbers of his career this past season in his first year with Columbus - putting up a career-high in both goals (9) and assists (26). His +20 +/- was also a personal best.

"I think I've made it clear I'd love to stay," said Fabbro at the end of the season. "I think Columbus is an unbelievable place to play. You're just looking at the makeup of our team, I think the sky is the limit, honestly."

Fabbro was the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Nashville Predators. His time in Nashville came to an end this past season after the team placed him on waivers just six games in after not recording a single point.

Columbus would be the team to claim Fabbro and breathe life into his career. He posted an average ice time this past season of 21:39 for the Blue Jackets, the first time in his career he ever finished a season above 20:00. 

The Blue Jackets finished the 2024-2025 season 40-33-9 record, just missing out on the playoffs despite making an incredible run at the end of the year. 

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