Frasca was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023-24 season after a four-year OHL career. He split the ‘23-24 season between Barrie and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, who traded for him to help bolster their playoff run. His regular season production of 33 points in 45 games as a 20-year last season wasn’t stellar, but he became a much more productive and imposing player during the Greyhounds’ 11 game playoff run which saw him produce 3 goals and 11 points in 11 games.
Strengths:
- Physical Presence: Standing at 6’4″, Frasca is a big, strong center who uses his size to his advantage, particularly in board battles and around the net. His willingness to engage in physical play and protect the puck makes him a tough player to handle, especially in the offensive zone.
- Forechecking and Defensive Awareness: Frasca excels on the forecheck, often pressuring defenders into making mistakes or forcing turnovers. He also uses his long reach effectively in the defensive zone, disrupting plays and breaking up passes. His two-way game is notable for his ability to support his defensemen.
- Puck Handling and Offensive Instincts: Frasca is skilled at navigating through traffic in tight spaces and has soft hands, which help him make plays under pressure. He shows good vision, finding teammates with crisp passes, and has a quick release shot. His willingness to go to the dirty areas around the net contributes to his offensive production.
- Leadership and Work Ethic: His intensity on the ice, while inconsistent in the regular season, was notable in high-pressure situations like the playoffs, and has been praised by coaches. Frasca is seen as a player who rises to the occasion, demonstrating leadership and a commitment to improvement.
Weaknesses:
- Skating and Speed: While Frasca’s edgework and agility are decent for a player of his size, he lacks true breakaway speed. His acceleration and overall top-end speed could use improvement, as faster defensemen and forwards can occasionally outpace him. This limits his ability to fully capitalize on offensive rushes.
- Consistency: One of the biggest critiques of Frasca’s game is his consistency. While he can be dominant in stretches, particularly during playoff hockey, there are periods where his effort level and impact drop. This can lead to him being caught out of position or chasing the play, especially in the neutral zone.
- Offensive Upside: Although he’s shown offensive ability in junior hockey, Frasca’s production is not elite. He’ll need to further refine his finishing touch and offensive instincts if he wants to be a regular contributor at the professional level. Utilizing his weight and strength will also be key to translating his game to the pros.
Conclusion:
Frasca’s size and two-way ability at the centre ice position makes him an intriguing prospect. This is particularly true for the Leafs given they have little depth at the centre-ice position within their prospect pool, let alone ones with his physicality and defensive reliability. However, Frasca’s lack of elite speed and the need for more offensive consistency may limit his ceiling. With further development, particularly in his skating and conditioning, Frasca could find a role in a bottom-six capacity in the AHL and ultimately as a depth player in the NHL. He is only signed for the 2024-25 season, so he will have to show some tangible development if he is to continue to remain part of the Leafs’ future beyond this coming season.