Mark Fraser files for arbritation

I don't feel like we should really bother with him. We added two defensive defensemen and Corrente can probably take Fraser's spot as 6th or 7th defensemen

over 1 year ago C.J. Richey 22 comments 0 recs |

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I see the Devils walking away if he wins much.

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by FrankG929 on Jul 5, 2010 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

I’m honestly surprised by this. What in the world can Fraser be awarded in arbitration?

Last season was his first in the NHL and he often got less than 16 minutes of ice time in the games he played. His ATOI was 12:22. And he certainly wasn’t the difference maker on soft minutes. According to Behind the Net, while Fraser faced the weakest quality of competition on the Devils, the SA/60 jumped from 24.2 to 25.4 when he was on the ice. Something you don’t want to see from a guy facing relatively weak competition on limited minutes. It’s not like he added much offense to that. What was he not happy with about the Devils’ offer? He’s not worth paying more than Mike Mottau did last season.

Also, doesn’t Fraser know that there’s several defensemen who may make the leap to the NHL in this coming training camp. Why risk the Devils walking away?

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by John Fischer on Jul 5, 2010 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

Why risk the Devils walking away?

Maybe that’s exactly what he and his agent are hoping for. Maybe they figure that between the new acquisitions and the youngsters who could make the team in training camp, the window of opportunity for Fraser with the Devils is so narrow that they want to get him on to the UFA market, or possibly traded

by HockeyWeasel on Jul 5, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions

If the idea was for Fraser to hit the UFA market, then why did they accept the qualifying offer? They could have rejected it last week.

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 5, 2010 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, they agreed to the qualifying offer before July 1st, thus not knowing about the signings of Tallinder and Volchenkov. Now that Fraser’s chances of being a full-time Devil are worse, maybe he and his agent agreed to seek arbitration to get on another team.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 6, 2010 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s just a negotiating tactic – same as Zajac last year. It puts a deadline in the end of July and at least pokes Lou towards getting a deal done before the hearing.

According to TG, the Devils can’t walk away from a contract worth less than $1.04M. Maybe Fraser’s agent thinks this is his best shot at getting something in that ballpark. I can’t imagine an arbiter settling on a number higher than that, but say Lou’s been holding firm at the qualifying offer – theoretically the arbiter could decide that Fraser is worth 900K and the Devils are on the hook. It’s a way to try to manufacture leverage where Fraser doesn’t really have much.

by richer44 on Jul 6, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Does Fraser and his agent think he's worth more than $500k/yr?

I’m curious what an arbitrator would conclude here. Do they settle for $525k/yr? I’d like to see how this plays out.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 6, 2010 12:20 AM EDT reply actions

I'm just going to float this out there...

You can all label this as conspiracy theory if you’d like but here goes.

Fraser is pursued by the Devils to file for Arbitration. Why? Because it opens another 48 hour window for the Devils to buy out players. Something that may be necessary if NJ does end up signing Kovalchuk tomorrow.

by Zelepukin on Jul 6, 2010 12:38 AM EDT reply actions

just to add a little more to this… Not sure how others felt watching Fraser but he reminded me a lot of Salvador. And we already overpay Salvador… no reaosn to keep hima round when we have a younger version of him with a higher ceiling.

Maybe there was a wink wink knod knod kind of understanding here that we’ll work out a deal before the arbitration hearing and open up a roster spot for you if you give us the chance to buy out some players.

In my opinion Salavdor is high on the buy out list, which works out well for Salvador. Colin White may also fall into that buy out category. The Devils do not need 3 stay at home defenders in their top 4 when one of them is a lockdown specialist.

by Zelepukin on Jul 6, 2010 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions

That should have been “persuaded” and not “pursued” in my first comment.

by Zelepukin on Jul 6, 2010 1:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Would buying out Zubrus and White free up enough cap room for Kovy and enough minimum salary players to fill out the roster?

by HockeyWeasel on Jul 6, 2010 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Buying out White would save $2 mil. Buying out Zubrus would save about $2.267 mil. Add that to the $4.75m of cap space, and you get $8.515 million of room for 16 players. So no, not even close.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 6, 2010 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually, I forgot to add the $500k bonus for Moose Hedberg, so it’s $9.015m of space. It’s still not enough: Kovy at say $8.5 and 1 minimum contract would make 18 players.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 6, 2010 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Because it opens another 48 hour window for the Devils to buy out players.

Learn something new everyday..I was browsing through the CBA, and finally found it. Because it took me long, I’ll copy it for everyone to read:

Per the Exhibit 1 part of the CBA (the Standard Player Contract):

13. The Club, in addition to other rights hereunder, at its option, by written notice delivered
to the Player in person, or by overnight mail to the Player’s address set forth herein, may
terminate this SPC on the following conditions:
(ii) For Clubs who have Club or Player elected Salary Arbitration filings
pursuant to Article 12, within the forty-eight (48) hour period beginning on the third day
following the later of: (i) the Club’s receipt of its last salary arbitration award; or (ii) settlement
of its last case (provided such award was received or such settlement occurred after 7:00 p.m.
New York time; awards or settlements that occurred or were received after 7:00 p.m. New York
time will be deemed to have occurred or received the following business day for purposes of this
provision).

This is quite a “theory.” I’m staying quiet about it.

In Lou We Trust: SBN Blog of the New Jersey Devils
"Hockey is the only job I know where you get paid to have a nap on the day of the game." - Chico Resch

by Matthew Ventolo on Jul 6, 2010 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I can sense Lou sharpening his knives already. Doesn’t Fraser know Lou’s record when it comes to arbitration? The guy can be vicious.

by kellyn on Jul 6, 2010 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

It will never get there. Zele brought up the “theory” a few posts above. And it makes perfect sense. Lou is a ruthless genius when it comes to working within the system.

Fraser was eligible for arbitration, and Lou wanted the option of a second buyout period, went to him and asked him to file. They’ll come to a deal, probably $550-600k once the Kovy situation is worked out and Lou figures out how to make it happen. This way, he has a buyout option whenever he needs it.

"We’ll work something out," he said.

Lamoriello said, "in my opinion" he believes they will be able to reach an agreement with Fraser before they get to an arbitration hearing.

by Murdoc on Jul 6, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope you’re right.

by kellyn on Jul 6, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

If we’re not would losing Fraser be that big of a deal? Yes, he’s young and has potential but his potential is of the sort of complimentary role playing defensive defenseman that can be picked up relatively cheap each season during Free Agency.

by Zelepukin on Jul 6, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Not a big deal at all. I hate losing prospects, especially ones that have shown they can play in the NHL and have a decent upside. I doubt he’d leave anyways. If the arbitrators give him over $1M based on his performance, there’s something wrong with the process. A reasonable raise, say $600k for a 2 way deal, I’d be happy to hang onto him.

by Murdoc on Jul 6, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions