It's rather rare to hear an NHL GM say he felt some assurance in trading a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman because of what he's seen from a rookie, but Fabbro isn't your normal 21-year-old on the blue line.
"I have always considered myself a big-situation player," Fabbro said. "For me to go in there (to the Stanley Cup Playoffs), a lot of credit goes to what the coaching staff has done and has continued to do with me. To all the players with the Preds, it really goes a long way in welcoming someone to the team and making someone feel comfortable.
"I want to continue to develop and be a player that maybe has a top-four role. At the same time, I want to earn that spot; that is where all the work will come in this summer and continue on into training camp."
Even with last weekend's news, Fabbro says he can't get too far ahead of himself. Step one is being the best player at development camp and helping the other prospects and recent draft picks around him.
In 2014, a 19-year-old Filip Forsberg was the Predators' best player at development camp, then again at the rookie tournament, and followed that up by standing out at training camp and putting together a 26-goal, 63-point rookie season, which should have earned him more Calder Trophy recognition. The path has been walked before, and Fabbro could already be a few steps into the journey himself.
The mission leading into the new season remains the same for Fabbro, but the expectations and responsibility seem to be a lot higher - and that's just fine with him.
"Just the way I have approached the game over the course of this last year, a lot of the experiences I have had in the Spengler [Cup] and being able to come here at the end of the year and [2019 IIHF World Championship]. Using that experience, and bringing that here could definitely help me," Fabbro said. "Just keeping a level head, and making sure I am being the best version of myself every day and treating everyone with respect. I think if I work hard every day, I will get the results I want."