Mark Fraser Re-Signs: What Does this Mean for the Devils
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 28, 2010 7:30 PM EDT
in Devils Issues & Views
35 comments
Earlier today, the Devils have re-signed Defenseman Mark Fraser to a 1-year, one way deal today, worth $500 000 dollars. As I mentioned in the fanshot announcing this news, Fraser will recieve the same amount of money he made last year, and he will not go to arbitration, which is good. While Fraser wasn't the most impressive player out there, if he had went to arbitration, he could've made abit more than the $500 000 that he's going to make in the upcoming season. With Cap space at a premium (The Devils are currently over the cap if you count the Kovalchuk contract), re-signing Fraser for cheap means that Lou made a good move here as the cap conundrum will be much easier to sort out for the Devils.
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PPG | SHG | GWG | GTG | SOG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Devils | 61 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
The Devils will likely get their value out of Fraser with this deal. Fraser will likely reprise his role as a physical, bottom pairing defenseman. He's going to bring toughness and stability to the defensive group, as well as a bit of depth to the team's defense. He will also get a much bigger opportunity to prove himself, as last season he started the season on the Injured reserve, which didn't bode well for him. Fraser receiving a one way contract means that he's going to be on the roster next season, but it doesn't guarantee that Fraser will be playing every 82 games this season. Remember, there will be some competition in the 6/7 Defenseman spots with Salmela, Eckford, Corrente and Urbom trying to crack the NHL team, and if one of those guys outplays Fraser, or the quality of Fraser's play declines, he could be sitting in the press box. But if Fraser performs this season, the Devils will have a good defenseman on their team, and at a bargain too.
The deal is also financially sound: If the Kovalchuk deal is deemed acceptable, then the Devils will be $2.301 million dollars over the cap, which won't really complicate matters that much. If Salvador was waived and sent to the Minors, the Devils would have about $599 000 in cap space with exactly 20 players signed (and Anssi Salmela on Injured reserve for the start of the season), meaning the Devils can sign 1 depth forward/defenseman to a contract for at least league minimum and still be over the cap. The low cap hit on Fraser's deal means that the Devils are in no real pressure to move a contract, and it makes life easier for Lou and Co. as they won't have to rush to dump players with a higher salary like Danius Zubrus or Brian Rolston. While on the flip side, if Kovalchuk's deal is rejected and a cap punishment is given to the team, the team won't be pushed up against the wall to move high salary contracts as well.
My expectations for Fraser aren't very high for him. All he needs to do is be a reliable 3rd pairing defenseman who isn't going to be a problem for the team when he's on the ice. If his play has improved and he plays well this season, the Devils will have easily secured a bargain for this season. If he doesn't play well, it's not like he's going to be a problem for the team, as he's making league minimum and he's a restricted free agent at the end of the season. As for you guys, what are your thoughts on the re-signing of Fraser?
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Unless the NHL issues a "fine"
They can take 1-5 million in cap space for a penalty. If they did that an took 5 million from the Devils I doubt any other team will make a contract like that again. And I don’t get the “He deserves the money” choice. He couldn’t take any less.
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 28, 2010 7:47 PM EDT reply actions
Wow I've been reading to much today. Sorry for that.
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 28, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Good signing. Depth on defense, plus if Salvador is moved Fraser will know exactly what’s expected of him, to fill that role. Hopefully this plus our cap space issues means the end of Mottau.
Players Currently in My Doghouse: Brian Rolston
I think it’s safe to say that Mike Mottau isn’t returning. There is too much depth on the Devils blueline to justify re-signing Mottau.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
by John Fischer on Jul 28, 2010 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
at this point why not take mottau? hes a decent puck mover compared to what we have… we should sign him to a two way so that he can play in the minors if our prospects do good.
by kewlnsimpguy on Jul 28, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
A nice idea, but is Mike Mottau interested in taking a two-way contract with the Devils knowing full well he’s likely to be at Albany for most of the season? I think it is more likely he could get a one-way deal with some club if he just bides his time…. all he has to wait for is a team that needs to add some depth to their blue line, or for an injury to occur.
Mottau won’t take a two-way deal. Now that we actually have enough depth that he won’t be used as the top 4 defenseman he never was, he would be wiser to take his “talents” elsewhere.
The fact that Lou told Rich Chere that Mottau was still of interest to the team genuinely concerned me, that’s why I brought him up in the first place. If he will agree to a minor league deal and play in Albany, I’m all for it. But we have enough cap troubles without having to waste money on a human turnover machine with the defensive positioning skills of a wet sandwich.
Players Currently in My Doghouse: Brian Rolston
by thejerseydevil on Jul 29, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
My initial reaction: good signing.
My secondary reaction: trade bait.
If someone were interested in him, or if he were to be thrown in as a “pot-sweetener”, this contract isn’t prohibitive, and with the team’s glut of defensemen and current cap situation, it might have been a strategic move to talk him into taking this deal so that he might be moved someplace he has a chance to play more and get a bigger deal next year.
Playing Devils' advocate since 1982.
Thats an idea..
We can put more in a package with a Zubrus or Salavdor to get a higher pick or a prospect. We already have a ton of defensive defensemen (White, Volchenkov, maybe Tallinder.) But who would take Fraser?
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 28, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
But who would take Fraser?
Well, he makes a reasonable “pot sweetener” as elesias mentions — he’s young, he’s showed some potential, he’s dirt cheap for this season, and he’s only an RFA after it meaning the receiving team would still retain control over his services. Most of the teams you’re likely to ship Salvador and/or Zubrus to for the cap relief are in the midst of rebuilding, so Fraser might be attractive to them as another option to check out on the blue line.
He also put up three goals last year. Not a whole lot, but weighed against his lack of playing time on the Devils defense, it isn’t terrible, either. If he’s given more of an opportunity (perhaps even a little time with the man advantage) and encouraged to shoot more, I could see 6-10 goals out of him, which makes a nice little bonus for whomever is employing him at that point.
not 10 goals, unless otherwise
think of him as a young Colin white
but you never know about him scoring, i highly doubt that he will score more then 6goals/year, as long as he plays smart/mean/aggressive ill be happy
yea he made some mistakes in the playoffs but who on the devils didnt this year, i didnt see anyone who wanted to win besides andy greene
PS3: J-CAMPS
How about a relatively obscure winger, whose name is something like “Kovalchuk” if memory serves? The guy who had a hand in six of the nine goals the team scored against Philly? I could be wrong, but it seemed to me that he wanted to win, too.
true he was a beast just stupid sometimes
by kewlnsimpguy on Jul 29, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
fraser etc
fraser will be easy to trade, while he has a one way contract it is for the NHL minimum and he has a year’s experience…moving salvador or zubrus will be more difficult because of their salary and multi year committmets and salary caps in general
by don in central jersey on Jul 29, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I have a feeling Lou has already talked to Fraser and told him “We’ll resign you but don’t unpack, we’ll send you to a team where you’ll get more ice time”. With the signings of Volchenkov and Tallinder his ice time would severely be diminished if he stays with the Devils this season. It makes sense to package a young player with a cheap salary with an vet with a higher paycheck.
I get the opposite impression. We all know that White is useless and Lou won’t get rid of him because of his injury; it’s sad but probably true. Fraser will be trained to take his place once White retires. Trading him would be the opposite of what we want. He adds defensive depth at league minimum pay. If we’re going to get rid of any defenseman, it will be one who eats up more cap space than 500,000, like Salvador.
Players Currently in My Doghouse: Brian Rolston
by thejerseydevil on Jul 29, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
But to make a deal with Salvador they might have to package a pick or a young player with a cheap salary to make the offer more attractive. Don’t get me wrong I like Fraser I hope we can keep him. He is becoming a solid D man.
Maybe after training camp Lou will send White to the minors. He has not been the same after his eye injury. Which is understandable. I’m impressed that he was able to come back from such an injury.
Devils defense
I like Fraser and what he brings to the team. He had a solid rookie year. He really helped out was impressive when Martin was out. Fraser made me a few grave mistakes in the playoffs. It happens. Which show’s the playoffs is a lot pressure for a rookie. Maybe Stevens and Larry can work on him a bit. I’m not sure what to think about Salvador & Mottau.
Deal with that later.
I just wanna nail this Kovy thing down to the ground, for good!!
why did people
why did people vote for “he should get more money”
wouldnt you want to sign people for less?, so maybe we should give him a 2mill/year then, right?
PS3: J-CAMPS
Because more doesn’t necessarily mean quadrupling his salary. Like I said just now in my post (below), I expected a small raise, so $500K is a bargain.
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I waffled between good deal and he deserves more but voted good deal. I wouldn’t have been upset if he got a reasonable raise, say to $550K, $600K max. I think based on the potential cap situation with Kovy’s signing (when it goes through), there will need to be a couple solid, if not stellar, players on ‘D’. I’m seeing Greene/Volchenkov, Tallinder/White, and Eckford/Fraser/Corrente as defensive pairings to start the season. When Salmela is healthy again, something would have to give though. If Fraser is traded, then Mottau might very well be on the third pairing until Salmela is healthy; which is probably a good place for him.
However, if Fraser IS trade bait, I can’t see him being traded with Salvador, it would almost have to be the other likely tradee for cap relief, Zubrus.
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No doubt Mark Fraser isn’t going to bring a goal scoring, offensive defenseman addition to this team. He brings grit. Think of him as a younger Colin White. in the prime of his career, White was actually a really good defensemen. Slow, but good. That’s how I see Mark Fraser evolving, if he does eventually earn a consistent role with this club.
"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
"We're looking at hiring the Red Army choir to perform at half-time along with Russia's top dancing bear collective." -Mikhail Prokhorov
"Don't worry about my cap" - Lou Lamoriello
Atleast we have a deadline for when to get rid of him
Hopefully Volchie teaches him his game.
Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."
Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."
by RolliePollieKovy on Jul 29, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Russian Whack-A-Mole???
There is nothing quite as satisfying as out running security after you've punched out a Flyers fan!
"I was in the moment, and the moment said smack you." - Bruce Willis
"He deserves more money, but I'm glad we got him cheap".
Should have been an option :)
by S.Stevens on Aug 2, 2010 5:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Wouldn’t that be a “Good deal?”
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
Fischer
It would be both “He deserves more money” and “Good deal”. Fraser is much more skilled than a league min. player, but if he’s ok with it so am I.
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