'08-'09 Season Review: Colin Fraser

by McClure on Jun 25, 2009 2:00 PM CDT in Season Reviews Comment 10 comments

With the season now over after a return to the playoffs and the Western Conference Finals, we're looking back at each player who wore the Indian Head sweater for the 08-09 Season and grading their performance. We now move on to the odd man out in the playoffs and Wii enthusiast, Colin Fraser.

Colin Fraser

#46 / Center / Chicago Blackhawks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 188

Born: Jan 28, 1985
Contract Status - RFA - '08-'09 Cap Hit: $500K

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Colin Fraser	81	6	11	17	3	55	0	1	0	0	67	9.0

The Good: Fraser came into camp at the beginning of last year likely headed for another season of platooning between Rockford and the big club, and ended up making the team both by earning a spot, but also due to cap constraints as well. He ended up contributing meaningful shifts at both ends of the ice, centering the 4th line for all but one game of the 82-game regular season. His 17 points and a +3 are more than anyone can ask for from a 4th line center. Often pivoting Burish and Eager, the three as a unit provided energy and physicality when called upon. Frazz was also a part of the penalty kill unit, and showed a willingness to get his body in front of shots when covering point men on the PK. During his limited action in the playoffs, he did not look out of place with the level of competition, and was a factor in the Game 5 heartbreaker in Detroit logging key minutes, and even had a couple of prime scoring chances.

The Bad: I can't really say much bad about a guy that next to nothing was expected from (unless that someone is Matt Walker), and contributed the way he did. While he has very little offensive polish, he is certainly not a liability in any zone of the ice by fourth line standards. However, Fraser could stand to drastically improve his faceoff numbers, as he finished the year at a 47.8% clip. He also could probably increase his strength a bit as well, if this indeed is going to be the niche he carves for himself in the league.

Playoff Beard Strenght: Once again, Western Canada keeps it proud, with Fraser sporting a full red beard, despite his minimal playing time in the playoffs.

Nicknames: Frazz, Frazzle Dazzle, Mario

Related Photoshops: None from us, but Puck Daddy juxtaposes two images one would have never thought to be related prior to this playoff year.

The Grade: Based on expectations and his role on the fourth line, I'm willing to give Colin Fraser an A for the season. As I stated above, at no point was he a liability on the ice, and he centered arguably the most effective fourth line in the league, which has a ripple effect through the lineup when a coach can roll through all of his forwards regularly. Yes, his faceoffs need work, but if he continues to improve, there's no reason he could not develop into a Phalsson-esque shutdown centerman in his own right. What say you?

Poll

Colin Fraser's Final Grade?

A

59 votes

B

116 votes

C

40 votes

D

9 votes

F

1 votes

225 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Wow

6’1 188 lbs!!???
Someone needs to add a little weight on this summer.
I voted a “B” does alot of good for the team, but not great. He does have alot of potential to be a Pahlsson like payer as you mentioned

by Roos-34 on Jun 25, 2009 2:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

solid

B…as a 4th line C he’s solid enough…esp if he can improve on the dot a bit.

by Crease Monkey on Jun 25, 2009 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great points made about what he needs to work on.

I didn’t realize how low his face-off percentage was, and he really does need to get bigger. For that, he gets a B. Awesome season for him, and he really could turn into a solid, well rounded, hockey player.

by jeff021690 on Jun 25, 2009 4:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I went with an A

He truly exceeded my expectations. I thought he would be a little rubber ball between Rockford and the Hawks. There may be room for improvement, but there is room for everbody to improve. A is for the ones that do so.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jun 25, 2009 6:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Way too much love for Fraser

If there was one player I want to see gone next year, it is Fraser. He is not a 4th line Center. He doesn’t win faceoffs, makes poor decisions in the defensive zone and gets pushed around. He gets a lot of praise for being a PK guy, but I think it is completely unwarranted. He loses his stick a lot, it seems and doesn’t clear the zone with the puck very well (it always seems like it gets stopped at the point by the opposing D man). I thought Burish was much better as the 4th line Center and showed a great deal more promise there.

by Southside Hawks Fan on Jun 26, 2009 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We may have to dig up some behind the net numbers to see if the stats back either of the two of our stances, but it doesn’t seem like we were watching the same games. Maybe I need to get my TV fixed.

by McClure on Jun 26, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe my channel thingy was off?

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jun 26, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look at the NYR game on 1/16 to see an encapsulation of all the problems that plagued Fraser throughout the year, especially on the PK. I’m probably biased because our section was on him most of the year, but especially after that game.

by Southside Hawks Fan on Jun 27, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do players have to work offseason?

Does anyboby think think Q will or can order players to work on things,faceoffs,bulking up etc off season.In the 60s,70s,and 80, most players worked second jobs to earn exrta money.With the high money can a player be TOLD to do anything off season?

by idiot man on Jun 28, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs