Fraser to Edmonton

[bustaheims]

Paul Ranger.

I'd actually hold on to Ranger. He's a perfect #7 guy - veteran, cheap and can play an offensive or a defensive role without being a complete liability. He's not a full time guy anymore, but, his play definitely improved over the course of the season. Also, he's one of only two players on the roster that have a full NTC (assuming the Leafs agreed to honour Gleason's after the trade - and, as it expires after this season, I can't imagine why they wouldn't have).

 

[ZBBM]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

If we're talking a destitute man's Tim Gleason.

 

[Kin]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.

How can he end up being their Tim Gleason if he couldn't even be our Mark Fraser?

 

[Highlander]

He could be Art Carney to our Jackie Gleason

 

[Champ Kind]

He could be Art Carney to our Jackie Gleason

To the moon, Highlander!

 

[ZBBM]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

If we're talking a destitute man's Tim Gleason.

Naw, more than that.  He could be a good fit there if he gets over his injuries.

And Nik, just like Gleason was washed up with CAR and then did a Lazarus with us....  Hey, time will tell.

 

[Zee]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

If we're talking a destitute man's Tim Gleason.

Naw, more than that.  He could be a good fit there if he gets over his injuries.

And Nik, just like Gleason was washed up with CAR and then did a Lazarus with us....  Hey, time will tell.

At least Eakins already knows what he's getting with Fraser, although given Fraser's recent play maybe it won't be what Eakins expects.  Maybe he gets confidence back playing under Dallas again, you never know.  He seemed like a good guy, took a puck to the head for the team so I can't say anything bad about him.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

If we're talking a destitute man's Tim Gleason.

Naw, more than that.  He could be a good fit there if he gets over his injuries.

And Nik, just like Gleason was washed up with CAR and then did a Lazarus with us....  Hey, time will tell.

But Gleason was a U.S. Olympian in 2010, so he's got that history and you know he was not long ago at that level.  Fraser?  Not so much, to me I don't know what more you're going to get from Fraser.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Mark Masters ‏@markhmasters 6m
Loiselle on Hartikainen: "He wants to play in the NHL. He's probably a 3rd-line player."; has out clause in KHL deal

I'll wait and see about that 3rd liner comment, but it's encouraging to hear that he has an our clause. Apparently a big reason he left to the KHL this season was to get ice-time in hopes of an Olympic spot, much like Komarov. And he just missed the cut for the Finnish team (he was named one of the 3 injury replacement forwards).

 

[Corn Flake]

At least Eakins already knows what he's getting with Fraser, although given Fraser's recent play maybe it won't be what Eakins expects.  Maybe he gets confidence back playing under Dallas again, you never know.  He seemed like a good guy, took a puck to the head for the team so I can't say anything bad about him.

Maybe Fraser does get it back but right now there is a huge difference between the Fraser he had with the Marlies and the current version... the one post head and knee injury who went from being a +17 guy to a disaster this year.

 

[dappleganger]

I guess I was one of the few people on this board that liked what Fraser brought the team, from a toughness perspective.. But I beleive that Gleason brings more to the table, and is an upgrade in that position.

Fraser was a big loss when he went down in the playoffs last year but he never seemed to get going this year.

Edmonton will make good use of his toughness.

 

[Highlander]

I don't wish any injury to anyone on the Finnish team but it would be nice to see Hartikainen in the Olympics, it would be a great showcase for us..did Komorov make the Olympic team?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

..did Komorov make the Olympic team?

Yes.

 

[Highlander]

Excellent for Komrade Komorov, lets hope Hartikainen sneeks in.

 

[L K]

I don't wish any injury to anyone on the Finnish team but it would be nice to see Hartikainen in the Olympics, it would be a great showcase for us..did Komorov make the Olympic team?

Yes.

 

[ZBBM]

Eakins really likes Fraser I guess.

He could turn out to be their Tim Gleason.  He wasn't very good this year, but he played OK at times last year.  They sure as hell need some d-first d-meen.

If we're talking a destitute man's Tim Gleason.

Naw, more than that.  He could be a good fit there if he gets over his injuries.

And Nik, just like Gleason was washed up with CAR and then did a Lazarus with us....  Hey, time will tell.

But Gleason was a U.S. Olympian in 2010, so he's got that history and you know he was not long ago at that level.  Fraser?  Not so much, to me I don't know what more you're going to get from Fraser.

OK, I think I see your point now.  I'd say "destitute" is too strong if it's aimed at Fraser himself (he's better than that); but if you meant that EDM's D is destitute, then yeah, that's about right.

 

[pnjunction]

I was thinking they should put him on the IR if his knee wasn't going to get better this year (how does that even work if the player is as healthy as they will get but 50% slower than they were?), but this works too.

 

[bustaheims]

I was thinking they should put him on the IR if his knee wasn't going to get better this year (how does that even work if the player is as healthy as they will get but 50% slower than they were?), but this works too.

Once a player reaches the point where the doctors clear him as being healthy enough to be able to play, there's a very small window in which the player can still be on the IR. Even with the supposed long-term impact on his speed (honestly, I'm not convinced he's slower now than he was last season; he just didn't have the benefit of starting the season in mid-season form while most of the league was shaking off the rust of the lockout - he looks slower in comparison because he started at the same point as everyone else this year), Fraser is healthy.

 

[caver]

Paul Ranger.

I'd actually hold on to Ranger. He's a perfect #7 guy - veteran, cheap and can play an offensive or a defensive role without being a complete liability. He's not a full time guy anymore, but, his play definitely improved over the course of the season. Also, he's one of only two players on the roster that have a full NTC (assuming the Leafs agreed to honour Gleason's after the trade - and, as it expires after this season, I can't imagine why they wouldn't have).

Agreed Busta. Plus I think we saw the apex of Fraser's ability last year when he put up some decent stats in Toronto. I don't believe he can perform at that level post head and knee injury. But Ranger should not be tossed onto the scrap heap yet. By all accounts he was a good D man in Tampa Bay. It is still a possibility that he can improve his play and get into top four territory. He did get better this season. A longer look would be wise before judgement day.