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Nashville Predators: Projecting a Fully Healthy Defensive Core for 2023-24

By Max Greenberg

Mar 16, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) handles the puck against Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jujhar Khaira (16) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) handles the puck against Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jujhar Khaira (16) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom D-Pairing: Jeremy Lauzon — Dante Fabbro

Lauzon and Fabbro end up as the last two standing for the third pair, and while they are far from studs, they are solid and very much good for this role.

Lauzon started the year a bit rough and was a liability at times, but he has pulled himself back together and is playing more disciplined as of late. He will continue to be on the third pair for at least another year with his contract, which is what he signed up for when pen was put to paper.

Fabbro has been a polarizing topic for the past few years, mostly because his future with the team has been up in the air during that time.

Even when Fabbro seemed to have one foot out the door at the trade deadline, the Predators extended his contract at the eleventh hour, but only for one more year.

Who knows if trade rumors start swirling again in the offseason, but the team would honestly be smart to keep him around for another season. The main reason is because the Predators do not have a rich prospect pool on defense, and keeping Fabbro while the team has signing rights over him would only help.

You will get next to no offense from these guys, but that is obviously not what you would expect from them in this situation. They would be the last line of defense on the Predators, and that is once again a task they are very capable of.

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