Per SportingNews:
The Los Angeles Kings have filed a formal grievance against the Edmonton Oilers over Colin Fraser’s injury, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Fraser, acquired by the Kings earlier in the offseason for winger Ryan Smyth, recently had surgery on an unhealed fracture in his ankle, the Times reports — at the time of the trade, Edmonton said the injury had healed.
Los Angeles contends that the Oilers misrepresented the extent of Fraser’s injury when they made the deal on June 26 and misrepresented his fitness a few days later when they said he would be cleared to play.
The development is the latest bit of drama surrounding the transaction; Kings GM Dean Lombardi previously stated his frustration over Fraser’s condition, saying he “would have rather invested my money with Bernie Madoff than invest in Edmonton’s word.”
When the Los Angeles Kings initially acquired Fraser, it was because they ruled out another player — Gilbert Brule — as the return for Smyth because of injury concerns.
The Kings had intended on letting Fraser, 26, compete for time, rather than buy him out — which wasn’t the case with Brule. Now, they can do neither — injured players cannot be bought out of their deals under the collective bargaining agreement.
Lombardi made the Smyth deal after the veteran forward asked to be traded to a team closer to his home in Canada, and the Oilers were one of two potential options. Lombardi said at the time of the deal that the situation wasn’t ideal, as the Kings were planning to rely on Smyth’s leadership and 20-goal consistency.
As for Fraser, his agent told the times that he’s likely to make a full recovery.
“How long it will take, I don’t know,” agent Jerry Johansen said. “The bottom line is Colin Fraser is going to be healthy. His situation isn’t serious. He’s going to be 100%.”
The Oilers have stated that they believe they did nothing wrong.
“Our medical people were quite clear and consistent and confident with their assessment of Colin,” Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini told the Edmonton Journal in early July. “He had time in the offseason to rehab his foot. There was some delay (healing) with it, but our doctors told us he could begin full training for the upcoming season by Wednesday (in six days time).
“Post-trade, our doctors have spoken with their doctor, who wasn’t totally familiar with Colin and explained their assessment to him. The conversation went very well. What they (the Kings) decide to do with the player is up to them. He’s their player.”