This morning the Oiler placed right handed defender Mark Fayne on waivers.
Fayne is a divisive if unspectacular defender on the team. His fancy stats suggest he is at the very least a capable defender, but his game is vanilla to the extreme. So…I guess that’s still just vanilla. Whatever. Anyway, the problem with Fayne is that his best characteristics are already replicated by Adam Larsson who can skate a little better and is absolutely in higher favor with management.
Fayne finished 2015-2016 among the middle of the pack of Edmonton’s defense in Goals For, Corsi For, and Fenwick For percentage. His offense is minimal and he wont provide more than what’s expected from a bottom pairing contributor. Still, if a team is in need of a defense-first meat and potatoes kind of player then Fayne can provide it.
The biggest snag is that Fayne has a cap hit of $3.625 million this year and next. If someone were to take him on they would be on the hook for a reasonably priced but still well compensated 4-6 defender. Given the state of the Cap on most clubs, it’s unlikely he’ll be claimed. This might not be the worst thing for the Oilers in the long run because the club will still have to expose a certain dollar amount during the expansion draft and Fayne is an easy player to do that with. For example between Pouliot and Fayne that’s $7.625 million right there.
Mark Fayne’s fulltime role on the Oilers was in doubt the minute Russell was signed. It became in serious peril after injuries forced Benning into the lineup and the rookie performed well. With the much cheaper (and meaner) Gryba also there as the 7th D, there’s just no place for Fayne anymore. Assuming he clears, he will be back. Injuries will happen.
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