BOSTON — Bruins forward Matt Fraser was claimed off of waivers by the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, the Alberta club announced.
Edmonton also placed forward Steve Pinizzotto on waivers. Teams had until noon to claim players off the waiver wire.
“I’m still kind of in the shock and awe of it,” Fraser said. “This is such a great team to be a part of. … It’s tough leaving, but at the same time hopefully there’s an opportunity for me in Edmonton.”
“I’m never going to blame anybody else but myself. For me, I would’ve liked to produce more. But maybe that opportunity wasn’t there as much, I just had a conversation with Claude and he kind of alluded to that. You’re in the NHL for a reason and you got to find a reason to stay here. It’s unfortunate to be put on waivers and it’s been a long 24 hours, but at the same time you got to make your chances and make your spot. It didn’t happen here as I planned, but you got to move on and realize it’s a job.”
Fraser scored six goals with two assists in 51 regular-season games for Boston. He also tallied two points in four 2014 Stanley Cup playoff games, including the winning goal in overtime of Game 4 against the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2.
Fraser was acquired as part of the Tyler Seguin trade with the Dallas Stars in July 2013.
The Red Deer, Alberta, native has a great release on his shot, goes hard to the net and is willing to drop the gloves when needed. He should be a good fit for an Oilers team that needs more depth scoring and toughness.
It’s a smart gamble for the Oilers, who are in rebuilding mode instead of win-now.
Thumbnail photo via Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports Images
