Throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, there were two fourth line forwards that stood out above the rest. Both of these veterans were previous Stanley Cup winners in other stops, but they proved more so this time that are hear to stay in the NHL for many years to com. These two are unrestricted free agents, and are seeking a pay raise or even better a contract two years or more.
Ryan Carter
Ryan Carter himself knows he’ll never be a top six forward, likely to never be a third line forward. But as we just witnessed with New Jersey, a team that one of the best fourth lines can go deep. Look at the Boston Bruins (2011 Cup Champs), L.A Kings (2012 Champs) & the Devils, this years runners up. Each one of those teams had the best fourth lines in hockey.
The gritty American forward has a few good things going for him. His best performances come in the second season. His career high 4 goals during the NHL regular season, is secondary to his 5 goals in 23 games during this past post season. And it doesn’t hurt that his named is engraved on the Stanley Cup from the 2007 Anaheim Ducks win.
He will not get a Joel Ward (3 million per year) contract, but he is likely to get a multi-year deal with a million or more a year. That makes him one of this years best buys after July 1.
Colin Fraser
The Red Deer Alberta native is almost a carbon copy of Ryan Carter, with more grit and nastiness. That to some teams will make him more attractive. Fraser has some offensive ability but not allot. The fact is Fraser pays the price physically more than most fourth liners.
The key thing that Fraser has going him, is he is this decades Billy Carroll. Who the hell is Billy Carroll you say? A fourth line forward from the mid 1980’s who won four Stanley Cups in seven years with the Islanders and Oilers. Fraser has two Stanley Cups in his four seasons in the NHL. That shows he’s somewhat of a winner. Expect to Fraser to get an Adam Burish, 2 year 2.3 million dollar type contract.
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