Mark Fraser

[Antropovsky]

Steckel and Lombardi were throw ins or minor trade acquisitions. Now that you decide to only highlight the negative aspect of his tender here, here are some great acquisitions that he had while here: Kessel, Lupul, Gardiner, Phaneuf, Liles, Franson, Scrivens, JVR, Bozak, McClement, Orr, Brown, signing Komarov and the hirings of Carlyle, Nonis and Eakins.

You're right though. His signings of Connolly, Armstrong and Komi didn't turn out as expected though, so he was an all-around awful GM.

Burke has provided the leafs with each and every player on our current roster, outside of McLaren and O'bryne. Yet the man get's shat on from near everyone, while Caryle (Burke's hire) and Nonis, are both credited entirely for the winning.

It may have benefitted this team to have Burke out, but he's totally responsible for the roster.

Kessel might be his poor trade, and as far as im concerned, he's actually still winning that trade for the time being. BUT he absolutely stole Phaneuf, Lupul, whom not only just so happen to be our leaders, but also our two best forwards at their positions. While Gardiner still is a fantastic prospect, whom was the obvious other steal in the Lupul deal.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Really enjoying Fraser's work, he hasn't been as strong in recent games but he's been positional sound. As well his presense gives a good calming presence for Franson and also against goons.

It's also important note, he's also buying our young defense prospects ample time to work further in the AHL and polish their skills. Guys like Percy, Macwilliam and Granberg joining in would've had to fight with him but now gets a spot in the AHL while he's holding the ground in the NHL. Great job burkie on getting this guy.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

I suppose we will see. We have lots of good young defencemen coming up and I suspect that they will force their way onto the lineup. Rielly is too good for the Marlies right now and Percy doesn't look too far behind. Ranger is a top 4 d on the leafs anytime he wants it.

Well said. If Ranger wants in, he's going to be that top pairing guy we need. I've seen him play on the Lightnings and he is a two-way defenceman who can eat a lot of minutes. He's someone we really require in order to minimize Phaneuf's "mistakes" on his own end.

 

[pooleboy]

I like this guy but he is going to have a hard time making the team next year. I think the following are locks:

Phaneuf
Gunnarson
Rielly
Ranger
Gardiner

And everyone else fighting for the last spot

the way franson is playing idk how u cant say he is an absolute lock.

and does ranger want to play in the NHL? i watched a couple marlies games and he looked really solid.

 

[Muston Atthews]

I like this guy but he is going to have a hard time making the team next year. I think the following are locks:

Phaneuf
Gunnarson
Rielly
Ranger
Gardiner

And everyone else fighting for the last spot

That might possibly be the softest defense corps in the NHL...

 

[false bobo]

One gem amongst stones and shards, like Connolly..Steckel...Lombardi..Komisarek.. etc etc

I bet your favourite player on this team is a Burke acquisition.

 

[BayStreetBullies*]

That might possibly be the softest defense corps in the NHL...

Or not

 

[The Beyonder]

I was never about Fraser earlier in the season; was sure he'd be one of the guys to come back down to earth. Now, I find him to be a huge steady presence in our zone. They guy plays within himself, plays smart, and plays hard. Huge steal trading this guy for Dale Mitchell.

 

[KlattNazty]

That might possibly be the softest defense corps in the NHL...

Overall, have to agree.

Cant imagine us going to that after all the decisions carlyle has made to go with tough guys this year.

 

[sommervr]

That might possibly be the softest defense corps in the NHL...

Ranger isn't soft.. The two young guys are but there is still room for additional truculence as required.

Don't have to be big to be tough. Salming is my fav leaf D of all time, couldn't fight a lick but tough as nails. Philly tried to murder him numerous times when he was a rookie in the bad old days.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Ranger isn't soft.. The two young guys are but there is still room for additional truculence as required.

Don't have to be big to be tough. Salming is my fav leaf D of all time, couldn't fight a lick but tough as nails. Philly tried to murder him numerous times when he was a rookie in the bad old days.

Ranger is soft? I mean, if the minimum requirement for tough is Scott Stevens, I'd agree. However, those who have seen Paul Ranger play understands why we need someone like him.

The playoffs is a high pressure event, we're going to need a guy that can log tough minutes and have a top mental game. Ranger is that guy. Two-way defenceman, who can generate offence, but also tighten up the defence in order to maintain leads. He knows how to control his end well.

The fact is we're expecting Phaneuf to do that despite not being utilized in that manner during his Norris-day on the Flames. Regehr would probably love Dion now. Too bad he has no place on this roster, but someone like Ranger: definitely.

 

[nuck]

I like this guy but he is going to have a hard time making the team next year. I think the following are locks:

Phaneuf
Gunnarson
Rielly
Ranger
Gardiner

And everyone else fighting for the last spot

Fraser and Franson played so well I can't see any motivation to break them up, much less drop either. Gunnar may be at risk to losing his job to Ranger in next season's training camp, but I don't see the club dropping him before giving him that chance to hold his spot. The same with Liles. Unless Gardiner cranks it up for the rest of the season he definitely isn't a lock to be on the big club next fall. They are going to be heavily biased to at least start
the year with the lineup that got them into the playoffs.

Not certain Rielly is there either. He is playing well in the AHL but not dominating (yet). He is still Junior eligible and they aren't needy enough to want to burn a year of his entry level contract if he isn't filling a need. He can force the issue if he is unbelievable in camp, but that's a big if.

Not sure if your proposed lineup could ever happen for them. Look at all the size they added this year. They would have to give that winning formula up which seems pretty unlikely on a Carlyle club.

I think Gardiner would have to make the club at the expense of Liles. But of all the players in the organization he might be the most tradable over the summer. He is marketable, didn't contribute to the turnaround this year, they have a veteran PMD in place already, and two excellent prospects behind him in Rielly and Finn who are both physically stronger than him.

There could be big changes on the D next year but they haven't been very daring with the moves, even after BB left. Ranger probably in is the only thing I expect which drops IMO Gunnar to the second pair. I am
not sure Gards can bump Liles off the team and if Rielly has leapfrogged him in the minds of Nonis and co he could be moved. If he does push out Liles I think they wait until a ways into the season and then deal Liles.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

If Ranger was ready (not likely), I think a Carlyle-style pairing would take this route:

Phaneuf - Gardiner
Ranger - Reilly
Fraser - Franson
O'Byrne

The bottom pairing and extra is fixed. I think Reilly would develop well with Ranger. However, in other teams, would be Phaneuf - Reilly.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Fraser is going nowhere!

Gary Nylund,Richardson,Berehowsky. The Leafs have been looking for a big ,tough, character guy who is sound defensively since forever.Gardiner wont be winning this guy's spot and he is going nowhere.At worst he is a 5-6 dman who stands and delivers.EOS

 

[RoyalGremlin]

I kinda wish the NHL went with 8 d in games with how many promising prospects we have.