FAYNE SURPRISE
By Lowetide
7 years agoMark Fayne was injured very early in the 2016-17 season, and since then the options to replace him have found real traction on the roster. With Fayne now skating, what could this mean for him?
Mark Fayne is a defensive defenseman in an era where those player-types are losing jobs across the league. Oilers coach Todd McLellan has shown an appreciation for defenders (Eric Gryba, Kris Russell has many of the skills associated with defensive types), but the McLellan-Fayne relationship has seen healthy scratches, waivers, and a trip to the farm. What’s next?
Last season, Mark Fayne formed a solid partnership with Andrej Sekera, the two men sawing off possession around 50 percent and providing the Oilers with a reasonable solution under trying circumstances.
VOLLMAN SLEDGEHAMMER
This is last year, and shows Oscar was fabulous when healthy, and that after that Fayne and Sekera faced the toughest opposition. I argued over the summer that Edmonton would do well to use that pairing as a starting point for 2016-17, and was not alone in that analysis:
- Sunil Agnihotri of The SuperFan and Copper and Blue:
‘it would be in the best interest of the Oilers to retain Mark Fayne
this off-season and have him paired with Sekera at training camp. The
duo complement each other well and have been productive as a top line
pair. The cost is substantial as both players carry heavy contracts. But
it would difficult, in my mind, to replicate the success these two have
had together, and it’s doubtful that the return for Fayne in particular
would be justifiable.’ Source
Peter Chiarelli went another direction over the summer and has the Oilers in first place in the Pacific Division at the 21-game mark. If we look at the defensemen being used this season, you could make the case that Fayne will be the No. 7—or worse—defender on the depth chart upon his return.
Matt Benning and Eric Gryba do well in the possession numbers but are also facing easier competition. Darnell Nurse is a staple on the third pair (with Benning or Gryba), and Klefbom-Larsson are the de facto top pairing. The second pair is Sekera—Russell, and the coaching staff and management look well pleased with the arrangement.
Despite the possession number, it is difficult to bitch and moan when the team keeps winning hockey games. So, with Fayne skating and at some point returning, what would you do? Where would you place Mark Fayne on the depth chart?
POSSIBLES
The easy call is Benning back to the farm, the possibly more astute move would be waiving Eric Gryba and replacing him with Fayne.
WHAT WILL MCLELLAN DO?
Based on Todd McLellan’s verbal and what he likes about Kris Russell, the issue for Mark Fayne is probably twofold: Standing forwards up at the blue line (Fayne is not as aggressive as others) and foot speed (which is no doubt related to Fayne’s cheating off the line to get back for the puck).
What is the most reasonable solution? I would send down Benning and play Fayne, in the hopes a showcase gets some interesting from other NHL teams and a possible way out of the contract.
One problem: That might require Fayne playing with Andrej Sekera. Does that sound likely?
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