Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread

[bustaheims]

Mark Fraser has a role on the team unlike some players.  Unless you mean Frazer McLaren, then I agree with you.

Between his poor skating, his poor puck skills and his poor decision making, Mark Fraser has no business being in the NHL. His physical play hasn't provided any positives to the team, and it often leaves him out of position. He doesn't have the speed or the skill to recover. I mean, unless you believe his role on the team is turnstile . . .

 

[L K]

Mark Fraser has a role on the team unlike some players.  Unless you mean Frazer McLaren, then I agree with you.

Between his poor skating, his poor puck skills and his poor decision making, Mark Fraser has no business being in the NHL. His physical play hasn't provided any positives to the team, and it often leaves him out of position. He doesn't have the speed or the skill to recover. I mean, unless you believe his role on the team is turnstile . . .

And even in the situations where his strength/positional defense in front of the net should be ok (the PK).  He was the guy out there allowing breakaways because he gets out of position and can't recover.  Maybe with a healthy knee he would be adequate but he's a 6/7th when healthy, not when recovering from injury.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Mark Fraser has a role on the team unlike some players.  Unless you mean Frazer McLaren, then I agree with you.

Between his poor skating, his poor puck skills and his poor decision making, Mark Fraser has no business being in the NHL. His physical play hasn't provided any positives to the team, and it often leaves him out of position. He doesn't have the speed or the skill to recover. I mean, unless you believe his role on the team is turnstile . . .

And even in the situations where his strength/positional defense in front of the net should be ok (the PK).  He was the guy out there allowing breakaways because he gets out of position and can't recover.  Maybe with a healthy knee he would be adequate but he's a 6/7th when healthy, not when recovering from injury.

....turnstile...ouch!  At least you didn't say pylon. 

It is surprising how many things haven't worked out they way we expected in November, especially after the October the Leafs had while waiting to still add the big off season acquisition Clarkson.

I must agree as well that when healthy he is a 6/7th dman.  He didn't even dress for Anaheim after being traded there playing only in the AHL.  He was put on waivers by both New Jersey and Anaheim.

Maybe trade JML to the 'Canes for Harrison and he might work as the 6th dman.  I don't know many solid 6th dmen in the NHL that can fight as well as Fraser if needed.

 

[bustaheims]

I don't know many solid 6th dmen in the NHL that can fight as well as Fraser if needed.

Who cares? Fighting is such an insignificant thing to bring to the table. I'd rather have no defencemen that fight.

 

[L K]

I don't know many solid 6th dmen in the NHL that can fight as well as Fraser if needed.

Who cares? Fighting is such an insignificant thing to bring to the table. I'd rather have no defencemen that fight.

Yeah.  Not sure what the appeal is of having one of 6 players sitting out for a minimum of 5 minutes

 

[Crucialness Key]

Back to Florida, Gudbranson has O'Byrne's size, Phaneuf's shot and Fraser's mean streak and ability to fight.  He isn't a rushing defenseman but that isn't really a weakness of the Leafs currently.

Plus he's a right-handed shot!  And would create the possibility of a Gudbranson--Gunnarsson combo. 

But would Florida really trade a 3rd overall pick, even for Gardiner, Holland and a 1st?

 

[moon111]

I think Gardiner could really skate with the puck.  I wouldn't hesitate to sit Frazer McLaren and use him as a 4th line LWer.  I know it's a new position, but one with less responsibilities then his natural position.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I think Gardiner could really skate with the puck.  I wouldn't hesitate to sit Frazer McLaren and use him as a 4th line LWer.  I know it's a new position, but one with less responsibilities then his natural position.

To me his biggest strength is his ability to take the puck from deep in his own end and either make a good first pass or skate it out, I think you gimp that aspect of his game somewhat if he is starting every play higher up the ice where he doesn't have as much space to get into full stride.

 

[bustaheims]

I think Gardiner could really skate with the puck.  I wouldn't hesitate to sit Frazer McLaren and use him as a 4th line LWer.  I know it's a new position, but one with less responsibilities then his natural position.

No. We're going to stop this before it gets out of hand. This is the same boat as "Kaberle as a centre" or "McCabe as a power forward." It's not a good idea.

 

[Crucialness Key]

I think Gardiner could really skate with the puck.  I wouldn't hesitate to sit Frazer McLaren and use him as a 4th line LWer.  I know it's a new position, but one with less responsibilities then his natural position.

No. We're going to stop this before it gets out of hand. This is the same boat as "Kaberle as a centre" or "McCabe as a power forward." It's not a good idea.

GARDINER -- KABERLE -- MCCABE

BEST FORWARD LINE EVER

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think Gardiner could really skate with the puck.  I wouldn't hesitate to sit Frazer McLaren and use him as a 4th line LWer.  I know it's a new position, but one with less responsibilities then his natural position.

To me his biggest strength is his ability to take the puck from deep in his own end and either make a good first pass or skate it out, I think you gimp that aspect of his game somewhat if he is starting every play higher up the ice where he doesn't have as much space to get into full stride.

Which is probably the reason he made the switch from forward to defence in the first place.

 

[Joe S.]

Idea out of left field - look at Brad Richards? Would the Rangers be willing to part with him? I thought I read last year some disenchantment with him.

 

[bustaheims]

Idea out of left field - look at Brad Richards? Would the Rangers be willing to part with him? I thought I read last year some disenchantment with him.

I imagine a lot of that disenchantment has faded, as he's currently leading the team in points. Also, I think, right now, the team's focus should probably more on upgrading the blue line rather than upfront. I'd say the biggest need for the Leafs is another top pairing defenceman.

 

[Erndog]

Idea out of left field - look at Brad Richards? Would the Rangers be willing to part with him? I thought I read last year some disenchantment with him.

I imagine a lot of that disenchantment has faded, as he's currently leading the team in points. Also, I think, right now, the team's focus should probably more on upgrading the blue line rather than upfront. I'd say the biggest need for the Leafs is another top pairing defenceman.

I agree that a top pairing Dman would be best, but we also need some depth up front.

Continuing to pointlessly throw out the pointless crew isn't doing us any favours.

 

[Deebo]

The need for quality defenders was apparent last season too and the only defender with significant NHL experience who was added to the roster was Ranger, who hadn't played in the NHL in years.

 

[Erndog]

The need for quality defenders was apparent last season too and the only defender with significant NHL experience who was added to the roster was Ranger, who hadn't played in the NHL in years.

Weak UFA d crop this summer.  Not sure I want to overspend on a Dan Girardi either.

 

[Corn Flake]

Back to Florida, Gudbranson has O'Byrne's size, Phaneuf's shot and Fraser's mean streak and ability to fight.  He isn't a rushing defenseman but that isn't really a weakness of the Leafs currently.

Plus he's a right-handed shot!  And would create the possibility of a Gudbranson--Gunnarsson combo. 

But would Florida really trade a 3rd overall pick, even for Gardiner, Holland and a 1st?

You are highly unlikely to pry him out of Florida.  But that deal might do it.

 

[bustaheims]

Weak UFA d crop this summer.  Not sure I want to overspend on a Dan Girardi either.

Yup. Not going to find top-end guys on the free agent market, but, I'm sure the team could find some reasonably priced upgrades on Fraser and Ranger. At the very least, that will raise the level of the bottom end talent on the defence. That would be a start. Improvements higher up in the depth chart probably have to come through trades.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

You are highly unlikely to pry him out of Florida.  But that deal might do it.

Would it? The gap between Gardiner and Gudbranson is pretty big. I don't think a team like Florida is going to be too interested in acquiring another 1st round draft pick. And their future is pretty set down the middle with Barkov, Grimaldi, Bjugstad, and Shore so I'm not sure Holland would be of much interest either.

 

[Tigger]

The need for quality defenders was apparent last season too and the only defender with significant NHL experience who was added to the roster was Ranger, who hadn't played in the NHL in years.

Weak UFA d crop this summer.  Not sure I want to overspend on a Dan Girardi either.

I guess he'll probably re-sign with the Rangers but what will he get if he tests the waters, 4, 5?