I've lost count of the number of times that Mark Fraser has failed to clear the zone when he has had ample opportunity.
Nevermind the fact that Carlyle likes to throw out the Orr line when he is on the ice. It's like he is daring the other team to try and pin us in our own end.
I've lost count of the number of times that Mark Fraser has failed to clear the zone when he has had ample opportunity.
Nevermind the fact that Carlyle likes to throw out the Orr line when he is on the ice. It's like he is daring the other team to try and pin us in our own end.
Fraser has no role on this team long-term.
Don't think so, huh? I thought he's been alright. All defenseman on the Leafs are making mistakes though.
Hes kinda like a Komisarek with a clean slate. Keep him as a 7th dman and alternate him with the 6th when you need a bit of grit and size to compete against teams with bigger players and hes great.
As much as Fraser bring a different element to the rest of our d-man (save for Komisarek), I don't think he has what it takes to be a consistent bottom pairing d-man for a playoff team in the NHL.
His skating is not great, he has trouble clearing the zone, at times panics under pressure, etc.
I think he's fine as a 7th d-man but I don't see him being higher on the depth chart than Kostka and eventually Holzer (in terms of our AHL -> NHL d-men).
As much as Fraser bring a different element to the rest of our d-man (save for Komisarek), I don't think he has what it takes to be a consistent bottom pairing d-man for a playoff team in the NHL.
His skating is not great, he has trouble clearing the zone, at times panics under pressure, etc.
I think he's fine as a 7th d-man but I don't see him being higher on the depth chart than Kostka and eventually Holzer (in terms of our AHL -> NHL d-men).
Disagree. While the NHL is a big step up, he hasn't look out of place, IMO.
He offers our defence a level of toughness and nastyness our backline lacks.
There is certainly some room for improvement in terms of mobility and decision making, but he these are things that can be improved over time.
I totally agree. Fraser is going to develop into one of the best shutdown D-man in the league. He'll join Phil Oreskovich, who is definitely dominating defensively in the NHL now. Stupid Leafs let Oreskovich go! Let's not even mention Jaime Sifers who has proven that he can shutdown the opponent's best players....Why are the Leafs letting all these guys go???
I find him to be very patient and good with the puck actually. yes his transitioning isnt the greatest, but i like his physicality, and he makes a good first pass out
I totally agree. Fraser is going to develop into one of the best shutdown D-man in the league. He'll join Phil Oreskovich, who is definitely dominating defensively in the NHL now. Stupid Leafs let Oreskovich go! Let's not even mention Jaime Sifers who has proven that he can shutdown the opponent's best players....Why are the Leafs letting all these guys go???
I totally agree. Fraser is going to develop into one of the best shutdown D-man in the league. He'll join Phil Oreskovich, who is definitely dominating defensively in the NHL now. Stupid Leafs let Oreskovich go! Let's not even mention Jaime Sifers who has proven that he can shutdown the opponent's best players....Why are the Leafs letting all these guys go???
I agree, that's why we have to it took Dale Mitchell (another bona fide superstar) to get him. Just wish we still had Staffan Kronwall to pair him with.
Funny based on the responses you can tell who's watched the game and who hasn't. He's been solid for us this year. He has had a couple wtf moments, but really who on D doesn't once in a while? He had a good first past out of the zone, is physical, clears the net and is a plus 4. I don't get how people bash Fraser but then praise Kostka lol.
Funny based on the responses you can tell who's watched the game and who hasn't. He's been solid for us this year. He has had a couple wtf moments, but really who on D doesn't once in a while? He had a good first past out of the zone, is physical, clears the net and is a plus 4. I don't get how people bash Fraser but then praise Kostka lol.
Who's bashing him? He's ok in limited minutes.
If you feel he can handle the minutes that go with being a shutdown defenseman that's great, you won't find many that agree. Makes one wonder if you watch the games?
If you feel he can handle the minutes that go with being a shutdown defenseman that's great, you won't find many that agree. Makes one wonder if you watch the games?
Whos bashing him? Maybe read the post's above mine? I'm not saying he will be a future shutdown d-men, a solid 5 or 6 guys that can eat up 10-15 minutes a game and provide a physical presence. My point is how people bash Fraser but then praise Kostka, it just confuses me.
Whos bashing him? Maybe read the post's above mine? I'm not saying he will be a future shutdown d-men, a solid 5 or 6 guys that can eat up 10-15 minutes a game and provide a physical presence. My point is how people bash Fraser but then praise Kostka, it just confuses me.
I don't see any bashing but then I don't see any praising Kostka.
The thread is asking if he can be a "future shutdown d?" No one is bashing him by saying no.
He lacks the mobility to be a shut-down type. If you combine that with his poor skating ability, first/pass, and stickhandling out of precarious situations, you have a fringe #5/#6/AHL D-man on an average team, at best.
Really difficult to be a legitimate contender-viable shut-down type d-man if you have poor mobility, unless your Hal Gill (Habs version) who sacrifices his body every night and has an insane standing reach.
Leafs obviously. I trust you're not ignorant enough not to be able to recognize sarcasm when you see it. My point is that WE, as Leafs fans, tend to get way too excited about guys that perform well with limited minutes in a short burst of games. I've been on this board for long enough to remember when people were excited about Phil Oreskovich, Jay Harrison, Steffan Kronwall, Jaime Sifers, and other D-man "prospects" that turned out to be nothing more than AHL players that were lucky to get a few games at the NHL. The fact that this thread even exists.....a thread to discuss an AHL tough-guy defenseman that is lucky to even to play NHL games....proves my point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frelimo
I agree, that's why we have to it took Dale Mitchell (another bona fide superstar) to get him. Just wish we still had Staffan Kronwall to pair him with.
He has surpassed my expectations and has looked as good/bad as our other D. At least he plays tough which is sorely lacking on our D so far this year. Comes cheap, plays hard - perfect for that #7 role. Get rid of Komi, Fraser can do the same thing, for a lot less.
