Blue Jackets claim Fabbro off waivers from Predators

The Columbus Blue Jackets claimed defenseman Dante Fabbro off waivers from the Nashville Predators on Sunday.

Fabbro has no points and is a minus-3 in six games this season. He's been scratched for five straight contests.

The 26-year-old has a $2.5-million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Fabbro signed his current deal in March before the trade deadline.

Fabbro's average ice time has decreased each season since he played a career-high 19:19 in 2020-21. The right-handed blue-liner played 16:21 last year and is down to just 13:06 when in action this campaign.

The 2016 first-round pick tallied three goals and 13 points in 56 contests last season. He recorded a career-best 24 points in 66 games in 2021-22.

Columbus had two right-handed defenders available before claiming Fabbro, with Erik Gudbranson sidelined. The Blue Jackets now have eight blue-liners on their active roster.

The Predators have $7.3 million of cap space after clearing Fabbro's salary, according to PuckPedia.

Fabbro has 16 goals and 72 points in 315 career games, all with Nashville. He's never played in the minors.