First, a tangential note. The Kings have signed prospects Andy Andreoff and Robert Czarnik to entry-level contracts.
Back to the item…It’s safe to say that nobody on the Kings has put in more skating work since the start of the season than Colin Fraser. Acquired from Edmonton in a summer trade, Fraser was the center of a Kings-Oilers dispute about his health, then underwent surgery to (finally) repair a broken foot. Fraser has been skating since camp opened and was recently cleared for full practices, including contact. I caught up with him today to ask about his status, and then asked Terry Murray about his plans for Fraser…
FRASER: “I feel great, really. I feel ready to go, but it’s not really up to me. It’s up to the coaches and management and stuff. I’ve got enough practices in now, and enough bag skates to get in shape and stuff like that. I’ll continue to work hard and continue to do what I need to do in order to get better every day and hopefully get an opportunity here sometime soon.’’
Question: Are you totally cleared to play?
FRASER: “Yeah, I’m cleared by the doctor. The coaches want me to feel comfortable with the systems, the new systems, and to get into shape, so that when I do get an opportunity, I’m at my best, versus being just halfway there. So I feel really good. I feel comfortable with all that, so hopefully it’s sometime soon.’’
Question: Initially, it was thought that you might be out until November or December. All things considered, was this about as positive as it got in terms of recovery?
FRASER: “I had two different issues. One was a broken foot and the other was a cyst on the foot. If, like originally thinking, we were going to fix the cyst, I would have been out until November or December. But after seeing more than one doctor, we decided that that was not necessary. So we just fixed the broken bone and they told me six to eight weeks. Technically speaking, without being in shape and knowing the systems, I was probably ready at eight weeks. But I had to get in shape and feel comfortable on the ice, so it’s been 10 weeks now, maybe 11 weeks. So I’m feeling good.’’
And here are Murray’s thoughts, when it was mentioned that Fraser said he’s ready to go…
MURRAY: “Yes, but he’s on the I.R. He spoke with me yesterday, after the practice, and said he’s feeling great. He’s been through the last couple days of practice with no pain, no hesitation in his play. I said, `OK, I’ll pass that along.’ He just wanted me to know that he’s feeling good.’’
Holy Crap….. You just used TANGENTIAL in a sentence.
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edwood2 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Otto Ped, sounds like Rich has spent a lot of time with Westgarth on the trip!
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wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@edwood2, …talk about tangential…
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@Otto Ped, it was as tangentially as it could get.
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OldKingsFan Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, I thougth that only happened if you were in a tanning booth disrobed.
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Cynic Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
@Otto Ped, TANGENITAL
I do not go to nude beaches, therefore I do not have a Tangenital.
TANGENITAL
Not so tough….
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
@Cynic,
Hmmm, I always thought it ended in “s”.
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jet Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@Cynic, obviously, Mikus lives on
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sounds like TM doesnt have time for Fraser…
down goes Fraser, down goes Fraser…to Man of course.
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EJ Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@Stuart, it’s been a while since I heard this, so I went searching . . . classic call . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVETXpz3k4g
What a crushing barrage of punches.
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Stuart Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@EJ, one of the most classic calls of all time, right up there with Giants win the pennant and do you believe in miracles…YES!
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Happy Lappy Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@EJ, I miss those great old heavy weight fights, fighters that could actually fight. I even miss old loveable Howard, telling it like it is.
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Ill admit I dont know about him, but just where does he fit in with this team? who do you send down/waive to make room for him? can he go to minors for a while? Im just so confused with this situation…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@tornado12,
Something’s gotta give… one player must go as soon as he comes off IR.
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tornado12 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@wavesinair, so he cant just be sent down directly? can he be bought out? i really dont want to risk losing any players for nothing in return
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wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@tornado12,
He’ll have to clear waivers. Not sure why you’d buy him out. Unless you send down a waiver exempt player, you’re going to risk losing him for nothing. It’s just the way it is. I’m betting he clears and plays in Manchester for a while. More depth.
kings king Reply:
October 13th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@tornado12, Just more depth. I wouldn’t mind moving Lewis to the wing and slipping him in as the 4th center or vice versa. He put up 19 points on the 4th line with Chicago and did have a helping hand in their cup winning season. I really wouldn’t buy this guy out, I figure Parse would go before Fraser. He’s 26, put up 19 points on the 4th line and hovers around the 50% mark in FOs. Sounds like the kind of guys DL and the coaching staff like.
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murray sounds like he cant wait to get Fraser into a game. haha.
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Shakes Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@Sebastian,
maybe Fraser should try poking Murray on his facebook page everyday to get him to notice. that’s my strategy with people
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jet Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
@Shakes, beating Quick glove side a dozen times a practice might do it.
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Murray: “I said, `OK, I’ll pass that along.’”
Hahahaha. Pass it along… classic.
In other words…
Don’t call us, we’ll call you. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Been nice not knowing you. Have fun in New Hampshire. Oh and thanks for nothing.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@wavesinair,
Terry was just being nice to him. He could have said what he was thinking, “and you are…..who?”
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puck73 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@wavesinair, That had to be one of the coldest responses from TM that I ever heard. Pass it along? oh, thanx for that TM, I really appreciate it!
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red49er Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@wavesinair, I get what you are saying but this is not Fraser’s doing. He deserves to be treated with respect no matter what the organization decides to do with him. Maybe he ousts Hunter?
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KC23 Reply:
June 1st, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@wavesinair, Well many they’ll pass your job along too TM.
Isn’t hind sight wonderful?
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I’m glad the Kings signed bot Andreoff and Czarnik. I like Andreoff’s grit. Let’s see how it goes for him as a pro.
Czarnik has potential. He could be a scorer. I hope he gets a really good shot with the Kings. He could be a real offensive sleeper.
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Stuart Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Crown Royal, bot? LOL like the AI guys that you can’t control when you’re playing the computer…
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Crown Royal Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
My keyboard is sticking from over use. I’ve been bad mouthing both TM and Kompon too much lately! (LOL) The letter T hardly works anymore.
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Stuart Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Crown Royal, LOL totally understandable! Bash on!
dMan Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@Crown Royal, the letter T or H?
I know nothing of this guy’s level of play… is he a starter? If not, lets dump him or trade him. get a draft pick or something.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@John,
He’s a bottom 6 center who drops the gloves and can chip in a few goals. Injuries have put him in a negative career trajectory though. I actually think he could be a good replacement for Lewis if he struggles. I’d think Lewis is much faster but Fraser is tough and actually can score so why not keep him at 875k?
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KC23 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@John, He was a 4th line guy on the worst team in hockey. Pretty much sums it up.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@KC23, He also won a Stanley Cup on the best team in hockey in 2009/2010, might sum up a little bit more.
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Mark Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@KC23, He is a punching bag. I watched more than 10 of his fights on YouTube and they all end the same way.
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Bc Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
@KC23, and before that was a 4th line center on the stanley cup champions. This is a guy who has won @ every level , U18, world jr. nhl…and a real character guy in the room
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I think they’ll do what they intended all along. Buy out his contract now that he’s healthy.
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Not Eric Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Donald_S, the deadline for that has passed. For now it’s either someone gets waived or someone else ends up on IR and he comes off to replace them.
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I feel bad for Fraser. First, he was injured and had no control over the situation when he got traded and the whole appeal situation with DL. And now, he’s excited he is ready to play but, he might not even be given a chance.
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Fraser’s name is on the Stanley Cup. Just sayin’
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RobSD Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Pumpernicholl,
Good for him, I’ll pass that along… time to work on getting the rest of the Kings on there.
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Hey Rich!
if Fraser gets activated off of the IR then doesn’t that put LA above the roster limit?
Will someone be sent down? And who?
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So did the NHL ever rule in our grievance on this transaction?
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Stuart Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@Mbar, what grievance…was the NHL answer.
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Dominick Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Mbar, It’s still pending. The Kings will probably get a small cash difference, or something. Nothing major, but enough to give DL the satisfaction of saying “don’t screw with me”.
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Luckiest thing that ever happened to Fraser was coming here. If Tambo didn’t pull his switch, and bait move, we could of ended up with someone else, and Fraser would of still been in Edmonton, skating on a broken foot, and would have never known why his career took a dump. I hope even if he doesn’t crack the Kings line up, he does somewhere else. Anywhere but Edmonton.
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KC23 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@Dominick, He is a RW which is the only position we lack debth. I was surprised to see him at hockey fest. I guess we just have so many ex-oilers he felt at home with several of the guys.
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Dominick Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@KC23, Yea. Greene gave him some props over the summer on the Mayors website, and Stoll I think has said a few words on his behalf. A few others like Penner now him also. Could be a nice set up for some instant bonding, and chemistry once he starts playing with the team.
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KingsFan1971 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@Dominick, I agree if you look at how injuries have had us down the last season would be nice to get this guy who has won at every level some time on the ice as an insurance plan.
and a guy who knows Lewis hasn’t produced alot as a 4th line center …taking all this in if anyone is struggling like Lewis does put him in give they guy a chance he has been working his butt off….further more give Penns a break lost alot of weight and is working hard … good things come to those who work hard. Know bashes DD for holding out I just dont get it at all…And I love this team and DD as Well Just cut some slack!!!
wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@KC23, He’s listed as a center. I guess he plays rw too?
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Wouldn’t be surprised to see Fraser get waived either. The Kings are 1 player over the limit. The 50 limit with 51, and the 23 limit with 24. It will be interesting to see where DL makes the adjustment.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@Dominick,
I was just wondering about our contract limit. Funny how we take a player on to relieve Philly’s contract crunch and put ourselves in one. Interesting.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@Dominick,
I still don’t understand the trade. I get that it was a favor to Smyth, sending him back to Edmonton, but the idea of trading someone who’d pop in 20 goals for someone you’re possibly gonna put on waivers confuses me.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Jason4Kings, ps… Also understand it gets Ryan Smyth’s money off the King’s cap…but it seems like any kind of pick would have been better. That’s what i’m saying.
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Dominick Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Jason4Kings, Yea. The rub was that we needed the space, and basically had to take the deal. The Kings are only allowed 50 contracts in their entire system, and having Fraser, or Brule, and not having the option to waive them meant that they were gonna lose someone like Holloway (not necessarily him, but someone would have to go). DL was trying to avoid that while still trading Smyth, and that is why DL made such a stink about Edmonton saying they were healthy, when they weren’t. It basically tied DL’s hands with them being IR, and it meant someone would have to go in their place.
RobSD Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Jason4Kings,
Ryan’s cap was going to be what? Like 7 mil or something ridiculous. Bag of pucks and a 8th round pick would have sufficed.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@RobSD, 6.75 million reasons, and space for DD’s 7mil. DD is not as overpaid if at all.
Dominick Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@RobSD, At the time DL had no left winger to replace Smyth. Gagne didn’t come till much later. He wanted a plyer just in case he had to juggle the line up, because at the time he was still wanting to go after Brad Richardson, which would of meant getting rid of Stoll or somebody.
Dominick Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@RobSD, Ooops, I meant Brad Richards.
TM obviously doesnt care in the slightest that he feels good. He could of at least been alittle nicer about it IMO. in picturing that whole conversation in my head it seems as if TM is someone i would love to punch given the right circumstances (ie: being Fraser telling him im ready to go)
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edwood2 Reply:
October 12th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Let me be the devil’s advocate for a moment. Yes, TM could have been more diplomatic, but he needs to concentrate on players in the lineup, not someone on IR who has yet to skate in a King’s game. I am certain CF will be waived, but, considering his history, he may not get claimed and wind up in Man. as yet more depth.
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i would rather have him then penner who wants nothing to do with LA
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Weasel Reply:
October 13th, 2011 at 9:27 am
@pr0cess,
How do we know this? Did Penner actually COMPLAIN about LA? That sounds nuts. He like shoveling snow perhaps or is he afraid of the ocean?
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Good to see CZ get a contract, but where is he going to play.
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I am against spending down and losing Parse or Westie. Westie is only for duck games. Davis Drewiskie is a get guy to have on the team for injuries or even the flu. The players I have watched that hopefully grow.. A LOT is Hunter and Moreau. Either way only played 2 games so nothing to do but wait. Atleast Kopitar, Williams, Richards, and Quick are healthy
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